INITIATIVES
MEntAl HEAltH AnD EMotIonAl WEllBEIng ARE of PRIMARY ConCERn to noRtHERn IRElAnD’S HEAltHCARE PRofESSIonAlS. PIf looKS At onE gREAt InItIAtIVE In CoUntY DoWn.
PoSItIVE fUtURES PoSItIVElY BRIllIAnt!
t
he newry branch of local charity Positive futures supports children, young people and
adults with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autistic spectrum condition. It also offers valuable support to their families and carers.
‘Positive Achievers’ is an established mixed-adults group, which meets once a week for support and networking, which made it the ideal setting for a Building the Community Pharmacy Partnership (BCPP) project.
for this BCPP project, Positive Achievers partnered with pharmacist noelle Holmes. together, they identified the two main issues for the group as mental health and emotional well-being and, in conjunction with noelle - and with the support of Positive futures - they co-designed a programme of events to make and strengthen connections with both the local community and the pharmacy while simultaneously exploring ways of
protecting their mental health and emotional well-being.
the Positive Achievers group members – who range in age from mid forties to mid seventies - have varying health needs. It is not unusual for adults with a learning disability to have poor mental health and in this group there were a number of members with a very negative opinion of their health.
Usually, when people talk about ‘mental health’, there are usually negative connotations, with the focus generally on ill health and issues such as depression and anxiety.
this group acknowledged, however, wanted to look at mental health in a positive light and preferred to take an approach that focused on factors that support and protect health.
from the outset, noelle engaged with the group and developed a great connection with them. She introduced them to the services of the pharmacy and the support that she
and her colleagues could offer – one of the core aims of BCPP!
As part of the project, the group teamed up with PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm) and the partnership proved to be an extremely positive one. PIPS had the perfect course called ‘B+ Positive’ and Shane, who facilitated the course, was able to tweak the course so that it was pitched perfectly for the group in terms of content and complexity. this course built on the foundations of noelle’s earlier session, which had exploring ways in which the group could look after their mental health, such as through relaxation techniques, which they had practised together.
the group was also keen to have an arts element as this was something they had previously explored and really enjoyed. As a result, Sticky fingers Arts was brought on board and proved to be the ideal partner! the group loved the creativity that the arts group brought to the project and there was a real sense of achievement as they completed their quilt, which now hangs proudly in the centre.
As part of their BCPP project Positive Futures partnered with Sticky Fingers Arts which the group thoroughly enjoyed.
As a result of this BCPP project, the ‘Positive Achievers’ now have a closer connection with the pharmacy and with each other. the members stated that they felt more resilient and had a renewed enthusiasm for protecting their mental health and feel empowered to do so. In fact, one member who formerly routinely used A&E as their first point of contact for the health service was, by the end of
the programme, using the pharmacist and the gP instead!
fortunately, Positive futures have successfully secured more BCPP funding and they look forward to building on this great work in their next project.
Pharmacist noelle Holmes, who facilitated the initiative was, needless to say, delighted with the outcome.
‘this BCPP initiative was very beneficial for all who attended,’ she told Pif. ‘Many of these people would previously have felt very isolated and this weekly get-together soon became the highlight of their week.
‘not only did they feel better in that they were in contact with others and therefore less isolated, but the weekly visits by Clare and theresa were worth their weight in gold. they helped them out with issues such as getting their groceries or paying their bills; sometimes it’s the practical things that are the most necessary.
‘those who took part on the course got to know each other and were able to both network and support each other independently rather than always having to rely on gPs etc. this was a tremendously successful project in so many ways.’
‘We are thrilled with the success of our level 1 BCPP project,’ said Clare leeman from Positive futures. ‘It has been such an exciting, informative and creative experience for everyone involved.’ •
PHARMACY In foCUS - 47
Pictured are some of the Positive Achievers group enjoying their ‘Fun Day’ with their local Pharmacist Noelle Holmes from McNally’s Pharmacy as part of their BCPP project.
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