COMMISSIONED MATTY BYRNE, PROJECT MANAGER

EVALUATION UNDERTAKEN BY SURE (SERVICE USER RESEARCH &

EVALUATION)

MARCH 2013

EVALUATION OF ‘HEALTHY BLUES’

PROGRAMME

INTRODUCTION

Healthy Blues is a partnership programme between Everton In The Community (EITC) and Mersey Care NHS Trust which commenced in August 2012.

The programme is designed to increase opportunities for adults over the age of 40 years with mental health problems, to participate in healthy lifestyle-related activities. The programme runs once per week for 2 hours from Dunes Leisure Centre in Southport and referrals come from the Southport CMHT.

SURE was commissioned to evaluate the programme in January 2013. For the purpose of evaluation, five staff and five service users (participants) were interviewed. The interview schedule for programme participants is shown on page 8 and the interview schedule for staff is shown on page 11.

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HEALTHY BLUES STAFF FEEDBACK

The five staff interviewed comprised:

Programme Co-ordinatorProgramme VolunteerCMHT Support WorkerCMHT Technical InstructorPhysical Health STR Worker

STRENGTHS OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme was perceived by staff as providing the opportunity for service users to access classes in a good community facility. It provided an alternative to the public classes which service users might be too embarrassed to join because they may be overweight or unfit.

The numbers attending are generally 15+.

Within practical limits, the participants are able to choose from a wide range of sports such as indoor bowls, indoor cricket, badminton, football and table tennis.

Three members of staff raised the fact the programme promotes social interaction and helps build the confidence of participants’ through communicating with one another.

IMPROVEMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE TO THE PROGRAMME

Two people reported that the sports equipment was of a poor standard and the storage was very disorganized, with everything just being thrown in a cupboard. EITC had now purchased small pieces of equipment such as racquets and bats which they bring with them for the sessions.

Two people raised concern over the 4 page referral form that had to be completed for the programme. This appears to have put some service users off attending.

One member of staff said he played down the football association in case they found it off putting.

CHANGES SEEN IN THE PHYSICAL WELL BEING OF PARTICIPANTS

It was reported that the Blood Pressure readings of several participants had come down to a more acceptable level since they had commenced on the programme. Similar changes have been seen with the BMI scores.

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It was now easier to target people who are at risk of diabetic complications and undertake preventative work with them. The programme certainly helps in the physical management of service users and supports the work of the clinics.

One staff member said he personally felt fitter since supporting people on the programme, so was optimistic service users would feel the same way.

Staff reported very gradual, but steady improvements in the physical health of participants. For example, initially people might exercise for two minutes then sit down, whereas now they were exercising a lot longer and not getting out of breath.

Differences in general movement and improved hand to eye co-ordination had been observed by staff, demonstrated for example, by participants playing table tennis.

CHANGES SEEN IN THE MENTAL/EMOTIONAL WELL BEING OF PARTICIPANTS

Staff reported improved self esteem and motivation in service users and had a sense that they now feel more positive about themselves. Participants were initially reserved but now interact better. For example they will say ‘I’ll see you next week’, reaffirming that they will be coming back.

One participant would not speak or engage with anyone at first, whereas now he will show others how to shoot with the basket ball. This was seen as tremendous progress for the person concerned.

Staff reported service users being in a brighter mood after the session, but warned that it might not be sustained through the week.

As with physical well being, the progress was seen as being slow and gradual, but most certainly happening.

CHANGES SEEN IN PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO ENGAGE SOCIALLY

The feedback indicates staff felt the programme had helped people’s communication skills, especially for people who live on their own. When participants were not too well, it was better to work with them on a one to one basis. However, group activities were tremendous for people who were doing well and they facilitated communication between participants.

One member of staff commented that service users find it easier to engage with staff than with other service users.

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At first people were very quiet, but now they will talk to one another and come back week after week.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Staff contributed a number of additional comments.

Two members of staff raised concern that the programme might not continue and the implications that would have.

It appears referrals sometimes come direct from service users who have talked to other service users on the programme, highlighting the power of ‘word of mouth’ communication.

EITC staff were praised for their work and knowledge.

For many service users, staff felt the programme was the focus of their week. As well as being therapeutic, it was also fun!

EITC are getting T shirts made and participants will have input into the design.

It was hoped that participants will see other classes going on in the stadium and this will capture their interest.

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HEALTHY BLUES PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

Five of the course participants agreed to be interviewed about their experience of the programme.

All five participants stated they attend the programme on a weekly basis.

WHAT MAKES PARTICIPANTS KEEP COMING BACK?

Two participants said the programme enabled them to ‘get out of the house’.

Two participants said it was the fact they enjoy the activities.

Three participants said they attended because of the fitness/exercise factor.

WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS ENJOY THE MOST?

All five participants said they enjoyed the range of sporting activities the programme offered them eg badminton, table tennis, indoor bowls.

Two participants stated the programme gave them a purpose and helped motivate them.

For one participant, it was the fact the programme enabled him to meet people that he enjoyed the most.

WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS ENJOY THE LEAST?

There was very little the participants reported not liking about the programme. The only comment made was that one participant did not like one of the activities (boxing). But overall, there were no drawbacks associated with the programme.

HOW COULD THE EXPERIENCE BE IMPROVED?

Three participants stated they would like more sporting options eg snooker, football, pitch & putt.

One participant said team sports where there is more interaction would be good eg football, basketball.

It would be better if equipment was easier to get out of the storeroom as this often delayed the start of the session.

One participant thought there could be better publicity as the programme was not widely known about.

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PHYSICAL, MENTAL/EMOTIONAL & SOCIAL OUTCOMES

All five participants expressed the view that they felt physically fitter as a result of participating in the programme.

One participant said he enjoyed getting some exercise whilst a further person said he felt more toned.

One gentleman was now moving about for the first time in 3 years.

Mentally and emotionally all five participants stated the programme had helped them feel better. Reasons offered were:

Improved moodPrevents worryingTakes mind off thingsLess anxiousMentally sharperImproved concentration

Four out of the five participants stated the programme had helped them to engage better socially. Reasons offered were that it helped them to make new friends and mix better in a social setting.

All five participants said they would recommend the programme to other people.

CONCLUSIONS

From the evaluation, it is apparent that the programme has been well received by both staff and participants. It enables the participants to engage in meaningful activity in a supportive environment. A typical turnout is 15 participants per week.

The two problems associated with the programme appear to be the poor standard of equipment which is stored in a disorganised cupboard and the fact the referral form is 4 pages long which could be off putting for some service users.

In terms of physical well being, there is tangible evidence that participants’ blood pressure and BMI are better controlled since commencing on the programme. It also enables staff to target at risk service users and undertake preventative work with them. Participants reported feeling physically fitter and staff feedback bore this out, describing the improvement in terms of gradual but steady.

Mentally and emotionally, the programme was described by participants as helping to lift their mood, reduce anxiety and worries, helping their concentration

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and mental sharpness. Staff reported signs of improved self esteem and motivation in the participants and felt they were more positive about themselves.

Socially, the programme has enabled participants to better engage and communicate with one another. Staff reported participants gradually coming out of their shell as they got to know other people week by week.

Ultimately, all the participants interviewed stated they would recommend the programme to another person.

The professionalism of EITC was also commended within the review.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of this evaluation, it is recommended that the Healthy Blues programme continues to be invested in.

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HEALTHY BLUES PARTICIPANT INTERVIEWS

1. How often do you attend Healthy Blues?

Weekly

Every two weeks

Every three weeks

Less than every three weeks

2. If you do not attend (approx) weekly, could you give your reasons for this?

3. If you do not attend (approx) weekly, what would encourage you to come more frequently/regularly?

4. If you do attend most weeks, what makes you keep coming back?

5. What parts of the programme do you enjoy the most?

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6. What parts of the programme do you enjoy the least?

7. What could be done to improve the experience for you?

8. Do you feel the programme has helped you in terms of physical well beingand fitness?

YES NO

Comments

9. Do you feel the programme has helped you in terms of mental/emotionalwell being?

YES NO

Comments

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10. Do you feel the programme has helped you to engage better socially?

YES NO

Comments

Would you recommend the programme to other people?

YES NO

Any additional comments?

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HEALTHY BLUES STAFF/VOLUNTEER INTERVIEWS

1. What is your role in the programme?

2. From your perspective, what are the strengths of the programme?

3. How do you feel the programme could be improved?

4. What (if any) changes have you seen in the physical well being and fitness ofparticipants?

5. What (if any) changes have you seen in the mental/emotional well being ofparticipants?

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6. What changes (if any) have you seen in people’s ability to engage socially with others?

7. Any additional comments?

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