We have moved on from a 'best-fit' policy of plugging someone into a group containing others with mental health problems with 'similar' requirements. However we do jointly facilitate a number of projects, on and off site, with our community partners. See our Opportunities pages for more information. We value the facilitation of peer mentorship as an important part of this work.

Many individuals who are referred choose to access opportunities away from the mental health context. Reasons cited for this range from wanting more consistent links with others, benefiting from being around others who are perhaps more confident in social interactions or who are more able to initiate contact.

In addition we hear from individuals that they would like to work with expert providers of opportunities, who are rarely to hand within mental health services.

And most importantly we hear that individuals would like to be seen, not just as people with a diagnosis, but as ordinary members of their communities and valued for what they can offer there.

Of course we do understand that a 'stepping stone' approach to achieving skills and confidence is required and that there needs to be the right number and spacing of these steps, starting and finishing in the right places. These can only be identified with the individual and will, in all likelihood, bear no resemblance to any other's requirements.

We meet individuals and ask them what they would like to work on and what support they require to achieve their goal.

We understand that it may take time for individuals to form a clear idea of what they might like to achieve and what is a realistic starting point.

Once the individual has come up with an appropriate and sustainable plan of action we can identify what support may be required and where it can be obtained.

We know from experience that without a significant degree of self-motivation, little is likely to happen. While we can offer significant and sustained amounts of support, we are a resource to that person and they remain in the driving seat.

We ensure that agreed plans are SMART!

Once a piece of agreed work is completed, and unless a new piece of work is agreed, the individual will come off our books. Should circumstances change, and our support is required again, we are usually able to put people back on the books quickly and with a minimum of paperwork and fuss.