The partnership with First Person Project CIC is designed to work with customers in need of help with their wellbeing.
First Person Project is a Community Interest Company, which means it invests in communities by providing professional mental health support for individuals and organisations through one-to-one sessions, specialist accredited mental health training, education programmes, coaching and support workshops.
Its aim is to create stronger communities and improve mental health and wellbeing for all.
Sian van Oosten, our strategic partnerships manager, said: “Plus Dane is a housing association with a social purpose, and as such we are committed to supporting customers who may need help and support in areas including mental health and wellbeing.
“By working in partnership with First Person Project we are really pleased to be able to provide tailored support to help people improve their personal situations.”
One example is David*, a care leaver and Plus Dane customer who was referred to First Person Project in November. He was suffering with issues including anxiety and paranoia. As these were affecting him finding work, he was also in severe financial hardship.
First Person Project arranged a meeting with David, and worked with him to assess his needs and make a plan to help improve his mental health.
He went on to attend a variety of activities at the First Person Project hub in Toxteth, including men’s groups, mental health awareness sessions, and guitar sessions. He is spending much less time isolated at home and developed interests including reiki therapy, rock climbing and going to the gym.
As his self-confidence grew, he found a catering job and has been supported by First Person Project to complete a reiki practitioner’s course. David is now better able to support himself, and found he is great at motivating other people to achieve their goals too.
“We developed an incredible relationship, and he is doing amazing,” said First Person Project founder Matty Caine. “David has been really proactive in getting involved in all sorts of activities and opening up, and this has made such a difference to his circumstances. Now he is back in work and taking courses, and we really hope he will soon be able help us deliver our Wellbeing Wednesdays holistic programme too.
“We couldn’t be happier that his scores on the recognised wellbeing scale we use show a more than 100% improvement today than they were when we first met.”
For more information, visit their website at www.firstpersonprojectcic.co.uk or email community@firstpersonprojectcic.co.uk.
Plus Dane customers can contact engagement&partnerships@plusdane.co.uk for a referral.
* Name has been changed
