Supported housing in the spotlight

Listening to what people with mental health problems want is not only the right thing to do, but is also the most effective way to deliver services.

That was the clear message coming from staff and service users of Nomad E5 Housing Association this week at an event to celebrate Supported Housing Month North.

'Promoting Health & Well-Being - Creating Thriving Communities' was held as part of the first ever Supported Housing Month North, put together by the National Housing Federation.
Several service users spoke of how the support they have received from NomadE5 has helped to turn their mental and physical health around - and care and support operations manager Charlie Culshaw stressed how it was vital to treat every case individually, and that sometimes 'less is more' in how much support to provide.
The event also saw a thought provoking performance by the Twisting Ducks Theatre Company looking at the issues faced by people with learning disabilities when using health services.
Meanwhile care and support (projects) manager Jane Gallagher outlined some of the services provided by NomadE5's partners to support vulnerable people in the community.
Speaking to an audience of social care and housing professionals, Charlie stressed that a personalised approach need not be expensive, and often NomadE5's work with its service users can save local authorities money as service users can achieve a level of independence, rather than relying on round the clock care.
Two service users - Ed Fisher and Liam Archbold - have made such progress since they have been working with NomadE5 that they have now become members of staff helping others.
Charlie said his team of workers tried to respond to service users' specific needs, and listen to how they wanted to be treated - rather than impose a 'one size fits all' approach which has characterised a lot of mental health care for many years.
Charlie said: "The work our team members do with service users is generally away from the spotlight, so it's great to have an opportunity to highlight the excellent results they achieve.
"I hope we've demonstrated that having a positive, collaborative attitude towards people with learning difficulties and those with mental health problems can not only be good for their wellbeing, but can also be a cost effective way of providing services."
The Twisting Ducks features a cast of actors with learning difficulties. Their performance, entitled 'What's Up Doc?', put across messages about the prejudice and ignorance people with learning difficulties can face in accessing healthcare.

The cast highlighted the danger of being ignored or patronised by doctors and nurses, and the need to be given more time than the average patient to communicate their needs.
The care and support teams at NomadE5 are renowned for the quality of their supported housing services, and are graded 'A' against the Government's Quality Assessment Framework.
The month of activities making up Supported Housing Month North is intended to show that housing associations do much more than simply provide the 'bricks and mortar' of affordable housing.
NomadE5, part of the Isos Group, is one of dozens of housing associations across the north of England who celebrated Supported Housing Month North. Between them, the associations work with 165,000 people across the region.
The aim of the month of activity is to show the public and key decision makers the value of supported housing in the community.
Research shows every pound spent on Supporting People saves £1.79 on other public services. Nationally the sector is saving mainstream services a total of £1.22bn.
Derek Long, head of north for the National Housing Federation said: "Supported housing and floating support services do not currently have the recognition they deserve.
"Housing associations and other providers working in this field are unsung heroes, making a vast contribution through an enormous variety of services, tailored to meet a wide range of needs.
"Supported Housing Month North is aimed at raising awareness, and it is acting as a fantastic showcase for this important work."