Access to Learning – The Mental Health of All Learners

1. Access to Learning – The Mental Health of All Learners Who we are (B2Ed / InterAct) What we do Current level of service Key messages from client feedback: 1) B2Ed service 2) learning Adrian Faiers, Executive Director, InterAct

2. InterAct • Essex wide charity, HQ in Chelmsford • InterAct’s 04 budget was £1,311,282 • Mental health & learning disability • Mental health: Bridges to Work & Bridges to Education • B2Ed: 8 staff, 6.3 WTE, 4 offices + PP

3. What B2Ed does • Helps adults experiencing or recovering from mental ill health to access lifelong learning (clients are mainly referred). By: • Meeting with the client • Agreeing a joint action plan • Providing ongoing information, advice, guidance and support, as required • Discrete courses as stepping stone • Giving MH awareness training to colleges

4. Current level of service Some numbers • >1700 clients since May 98 • 430 new clients (NC) in 2004 • Full time client worker caseload: 110 NC/yr • 83% clients start courses within 9 months • 75% ongoing attendance • 96% client satisfaction

5. Sources of client feedback • Verbal • 3 monthly monitoring calls • Exit questionnaire (after 1 year) • Course feedback forms

6. Client feedback: reasons for success • The approach of the client advisors • “Encouragement, support, friendly, welcoming, understanding, patient, respectful” • “good information” (i.e. professional) • “supportive without being pushy”

7. Client feedback: reasons for success 2) Ongoing support / pro-active follow-up • “the frequent phone calls are helpful” • “you have kept me informed and taken an interest in finding out how I am doing and whether I need further support”

8. Client feedback: reasons for success 3) Building self-esteem and confidence • “Helped me to push myself forward” • “persuaded I had useful skills” • “gave me confidence to do NVQ”

9. Client feedback: value of learning • Improved mental well-being • 78% figure from course evaluation forms • 100% figure from exit questionnaire (1yr) • 33% slightly • 10% moderately • 57% greatly

10. Client feedback: value of learning 2) 68%: new confidence • “confidence has grown, happier in myself” • “hope to use this experience (confidence course) to help with my other courses” • “helped to show what you could achieve in the future”

11. Client feedback: value of learning 3) 51%: helped me get on with life • “More relaxed in a learning situation” • “deal with people more positively” • “social aspect helped in wanting to attend classes” • “meeting new people and getting into a work routine” • “writing for local paper”

12. Client feedback: problems • Study costs (including travel) • Waiting times: the academic year and terms • Childcare • Changes to the learning provision (e.g. room change) • Ongoing funding for the B2Ed service • Emphasis on work and qualifications (e.g. the government preoccupation with Level 2)

14. “I didn’t expect this at 70 years of age. It has done more for me than the medication and also made a childhood dream come true – to do art.” Quote from one of our clients in the Mental Health and Social Exclusion Report from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.