HEALTH MATTERS 69
mentAl heAlth ServiceS
WAlking bAck
to heAlth
An innovative HSE project in Donegal has been designed to
encourage people who have engaged with the mental health
services to get involved in outdoor activities.
S
olas, a project developed by the
+ Top: Solas
HSE Training Services in Co. participants and staff
Donegal, is a project loosely
waving from one of
based on an Australian model that saw
the many beautiful
beaches on the
participants walking, talking and camping
Donegal coastline.
in the Australian outback. The participants
Above: Solas –
in Solas walk, talk and listen in the stunning Core Purpose.
countryside and on the beaches around
Left: Solas
Falcarragh, with the aim of restoring
participants and staff
take in the beautiful
confidence, breaking isolation, and creating
sea view.
a caring, listening atmosphere, leading
to enhanced life skills. The programme is
carried out in the context of a rehabilitative,
person-centred planning framework, and
the aims are achieved through the activities
of walking, talking and listening. a quality local service in West Donegal moved on since its inception. For each
The programme has been running which meets the needs of different participant, the outcome is different, just
since late 2005 and the results have been disability groups.” as each individual has different goals and
encouraging, with participants moving on Brendan says his role in the Solas Mental ambitions. For some, Solas is the first step
and learning to engage with life in new and Health Outdoor Recreation Programme in restoring their confidence and breaking
healthier ways. Just 14 places are available is one of supporting the participants and the isolation, for others it is a stepping-
on the programme at a time, and support the team to deliver a programme that is stone onto further training and third level
agencies are enthusiastically supporting the participant-led, which means involving the education and employment.
initiative on an ongoing basis. participants in the planning, delivery and Although the programme developed
Brendan Hone, HSE West Donegal management of the programme. outside the traditional mental health
Rehabilitation Training Services Manager, “This collaborative approach is the only service, it has and continues to receive,
said: "The Solas core purpose is recovery way we can reach Solas’ core purpose – to many referrals from mental health service
and re-emergence, where we support ‘provide the opportunity for recovery and personnel. However, a major success
people to lead bigger lives in their re-emergence’,” said Brendan, adding, “I of the programme is that it has attracted
community. Over the past four years, Solas have always been a strong advocate of many young people who would not usually
has supported people to return to full-time keeping things simple. Solas is a life-skills engage with mental health services.
education, employment and voluntary work. programme for young people who have The directors of the programme are
“My job is to deliver rehabilitative training experienced mental health difficulties, and looking at developing a quality standard
and sheltered occupational services we support Solas participants to get fitter, based on Solas’ core values and core
across the disability spectrum. My team share their stories and identify where they purpose, allowing for the use of this
is responsible for supporting over 150 want to go in life and move on.” model of recovery and re-emergence in
clients in a variety of programmes, from Solas participants can access the other areas.
centre-based to community-based. Using programme from just one month up to two
a person-centred approach to programme years, and currently the programme has 18 For more information on Solas, please visit
development, we have been able to deliver participants, while some 30 people have www.solasdonegal.org.
health matters is 4.indd 69 27/11/2009 20:48:52
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