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Virtual Peer Support. Maureen Hughes Adult Social Care Manager’s Briefing Monday 19 th July. Background. With the launch of the National Strategy the DH announced it wanted to test out different types of peer support
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Virtual Peer Support Maureen Hughes Adult Social Care Manager’s Briefing Monday 19th July
Background • With the launch of the National Strategy the DH announced it wanted to test out different types of peer support • In July 2009 Stockport selected with 17 other sites in England to pilot peer support • 3 peer support projects in Stockport • Virtual Peer Support • User Led • EDUCATE
Peer support can be thought of as a form of • social sharing • gaining understanding from others in a similar situation • with all members having some level of experience of dementia (Adapted fromMeed, Hilton and Curtis, 2001 • also about time out – we want the project to be helpful, fun & relaxed
Joint project • Between CMHT staff at the Meadows & ASC (link with other agencies) • For people with dementia & family carers • Currently 6 families taking part (maximum 10 families) • Participants mainly recruited through Young Onset Dementia Team at the Meadows • CMHT staff told us • ‘we know people who would benefit from talking to other people with dementia who live very close to each other but we can’t share that information to put people in touch’ • We can invite people to a group
How the project works • Meet on a monthly basis • Each family given at touch-screen computer to contact each other & staff at the Meadows via the internet • Touch–screen are very simple to use • Uses live video link up or video & text messaging • Voice over facility • Games facility – members can contact each other to play a game
MAIN BUTTONS Tap this button to get to the project websites Tap this to make a video call. Select the person from the pictures Tap this button to view or compose messages Tap here to find a group contact
Where we are currently Meeting since February • to get to know each other • learn how to use the touch screens • Contribute to the set up • Feedback • Meant to go live in April. Set up delays – but most people now connected • Challenge encouraging beneficial use • Project runs at least until March 2011
Evaluation • Part of national pilot • Questions we want the pilot to answer locally • Do people with dementia & their family carers use the touch- screens to contact each other • What are the benefits / drawbacks to staying in touch through the internet • Is the technology easy to use & reliable • Are people happy to use technology to stay in touch or do they prefer face to face • Did people enjoy it and get real benefit