Our work in Wales: My Generation Improving the mental resilience and wellbeing of people over 50 years old in Wales
Funded by the Welsh Government under its Sustainable Social Services Third Sector (2016-19). My Generation is an eight week programme for older people, proven to build resilience and Contents reduce isolation and loneliness. Introduction...... 2 An independent evaluation What is My Generation?...... 3 showed that: How is the course designed?...... 4 • 79% of participants experienced an The impact of My Generation...... 5 increase in their wellbeing. Participant experiences...... 7 • 63% improved their coping skills Towards more resilient communities: Key learnings from the programme...... 9 and felt more empowered to solve Next steps...... 10 problems. • 74% increased their social connections. • 91% of participants rated the course as “Excellent” or “Very Good”.
See pages 5-7 for more information Introduction Older people can be more likely to experience loneliness and isolation. My Generation is an evidence-based intervention to help people over 50 improve their mental wellbeing, social capital and self efficacy.
Tackling loneliness and social isolation, week ‘My Generation’ programme provides especially in older people, is a national participants with a range of tools and techniques priority for the Welsh Government. Wales to help improve their wellbeing, as well as has a higher proportion of older people than providing them with the opportunity to meet any other part of the UK, with more than 1 new people, learn new skills and become an in 5 people over the age of 65 years old1. active member of their local community. Older people can be more likely to Our independent evaluation conducted by experience loneliness and isolation which Ecorys, showed that the programme helped can lead to mental health problems such over 350 older people to improve their as anxiety and depression, and can also wellbeing in the pilot phase, increase their have a negative effect on physical health. social connections and improve their ability to My Generation has helped solve problems. The evaluation showed that the A geographically dispersed population and programme successfully reached older people cuts in local services such as buses and day me so much, I now feel that with a range of demographics across both care centres can mean that older people in urban and rural areas of Wales, including those Wales may find it more difficult to play an active I am not on my own as at risk of social isolation and financial exclusion. part in their local communities, putting them others have experiences at greater risk of feeling lonely or isolated. This document explores the scope and impact of the My Generation project and In 2016, we received funding in partnership summarises the key learning and next steps similar to me. with Age Cymru from the Welsh Government’s from our evaluation of the pilot phase. Sustainable Social Services Grant to develop and pilot a model to improve the wellbeing We conclude with three actions we I feel more confident and and social connections of older people in have taken and three actions we are Wales, supporting delivery of ‘The Strategy for asking other organisations to take. able to achieve things I had Older People in Wales 2013-2023.’ The eight put on hold. 1 Official data on Wales from Stats Wales (www.statswales.gov.uk). 2016.
Our work in Wales: My Generation 3 What is My Generation? How is the course designed? In 2016, Mind Cymru in partnership with Age Cymru received funding from the Working with Age Cymru, Age Connect Morgannwg and our local Minds, we Welsh Government’s Sustainable Social Services Grant to develop and pilot an co-produced and developed an innovative new programme and piloted it in four intervention to support older people in Wales. different communities across Wales.
My Generation is an eight week course delivered for two hours per week. The first hour consists of a psychoeducation module which explores a different topic each week. Participants The project aimed: are encouraged to explore tools and techniques to stay well and help them build a network of support. Participants are empowered to improve their wellbeing, together. The second hour invites 1. To improve the wellbeing 2. To create an evidence- 3. To support the delivery of participants to try out wellbeing activities that are available in the local community, such as seated and resilience of older based intervention ‘The Strategy for Older yoga, tai chi or gardening. people1 in Wales through that can be delivered People in Wales 2013-2023. greater access to social in diverse communities connection, wellbeing across Wales and the UK. activities and psychological 50% 50% focus on improving focus on social coping strategies. resilience engagement (1 hour per week) 8 (1 hour per week) 1 The project has adopted the Welsh Government’s definition of older people as those who are 50 years or older. week Exploring tools and techniques programme Taster sessions where focused on improving mental people get to try out resilience, delivered by a local wellbeing activities that Mind wellbeing practitioner. are available in the local Mind’s resilience model community, such as yoga, tai chi, gardening, IT skills. Resilience is the capacity to adapt in the face of challenging circumstances, whilst maintaining a stable mental wellbeing. Based on this definition, Mind has Psychological Mind’s resilience training elements developed a resilience model coping Wellbeing Each session below is one hour a week, delivered by the local Mind wellbeing practitioner. focusing on three key elements: strategies wellbeing, social capital and psychological coping strategies Week 1 Week 5 – as shown in this diagram. Resilience Exploring helpful and unhelpful thinking Exploring loss, grief and renewal How to identify forms of helpful Exploring different types of loss and unhelpful thinking. and looking at the process of What is psychoeducation? grief over a period of time. Week 2 Psychoeducation is an evidence- Exploring stress Week 6 based therapeutic intervention that How to recognise your warning Exploring relaxation and mindfulness provides information and support, signs and manage your stress. Learning about mindfulness and to help participants become more Week 3 practising relaxation techniques. self-aware, make better choices Social capital Exploring feelings (part one) Week 7 and improve their ability to manage Why do we have feelings and how can Exploring problem solving both their mental and physical we process our feelings effectively? Tools and techniques to health. Week 4 solve problems in life. Psychoeducational courses Exploring feelings (part two) Week 8 delivered in the community can What happens when we don’t process our Exploring connections help people improve their wellbeing feelings? What do we need from others? Exploring connections with with self-care and build social others and the community. networks.
4 Our work in Wales: My Generation Our work in Wales: My Generation 5 The impact of My Generation
Mind commissioned an independent evaluation partner, Ecorys, to help us understand the impact of the programme on participants. The evaluation also highlighted key learning to help adapt and improve the intervention, so it can most effectively reach older people. The main findings from the Ecorys evaluation are highlighted here.
Reaching diverse communities across Wales A positive impact on participants’ wellbeing
Our independent evaluation showed that the programme successfully reached a We measured a range of outcomes before the course began (baseline), on diverse group of older people across both urban and rural areas of Wales, including completion of the course, and a follow-up measure after three months. those at risk of social isolation and financial exclusion. Our independent evaluation showed that the programme had a positive impact on participants’ wellbeing and improved their social networks. Importantly, these improvements were sustained over a three month period following 350 the course. participants attended 38 courses across four different areas as part of the pilot programme. 79% 63%
62% 65 2participants in who3 of My Generation lived alone and of My Generation years old participants experienced completed the My participants showed 34% 65% were divorced Generation course improved ability to solve were at risk of or widowed. was the average age improved wellbeing*. increased their social problems and achieve financial exclusion. of participants. 78% continued to experience improved networks*. their goals*. wellbeing at three This increased to 74% at This figure rose to 68% at month follow up. three month follow up. three month follow up.
42% showed an improvement on the UCLA 3-Item of participants 42% Loneliness Scale at three month follow up. had experienced had personal 44% discrimination, experience of mental harassment or abuse 2/3 health problems. of participants * Based on independent evaluation of key sites in Merthyr and the Valleys Mind, Mind Pembrokeshire, Newport Mind and in the last 12 months. Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Mind, September 2016 - March 2017. Evaluative tools included Short Warwick Edinburgh were female. Mental Well-being Scale for mental wellbeing, Lubben Social Network Scale for social capital and networks, and General Self-Efficacy Scale for problem solving ability.
6 Our work in Wales: My Generation Our work in Wales: My Generation 7 Participant experiences As well as the positive impact on wellbeing, participants also reported having a very I’ve learnt positive perception of the programme. how to relax 91% of participants rated the course as “Excellent” or “Very Good”. Participants welcomed the and feel less combination of psychoeducation modules and wellbeing activities, which were enjoyable and helped to strengthen bonds within the group. Participants also highlighted the value of the peer support and anxious It got me out many have kept in touch on an informal social basis after the end of the programme. of the house
‘David’, Newport “I attended the ‘My Generation’ course at After my eight weeks at ‘My Generation’ It helped me Newport Mind in 2017 and at the time I was I found that I was more relaxed and had to accept the not in a good place and straight away being made some good friends. loss of my son with other people with similar problems I am now also able to openly talk about my from the start, I felt better. feelings when out with friends socially. The format was good with I have continued to go to Newport Mind, 91% joining the ‘Men’s group’ and the ‘Music time for us all to talk about Appreciation’ group. of participants ourselves and the effect we One or two friends have now also rated the course I still meet up opened up to me regarding their own with the people I were having on our family feelings and I have recommended that as “Excellent” or met on the course one of them may well benefit from “Very Good” and friends – talking about contacting Newport Mind, as I did.”
problems, feelings, loss and stress.
‘Wendy’, Rhydfelin It has made me I feel much better, “I really enjoyed the 8 week course and I think everyone would benefit from realise what feel it had a positive effect on my emotional attending My Generation, even younger more relaxed and able I can do rather health. Each week I would leave after the people. The project introduces you to new to think things over session feeling more positive and happier activities, you learn new things, make new than focusing on than I had felt before coming to the session friends and have the opportunity to talk.” that day. what I can’t It was good to have the space to talk as The project as a whole a group: sharing stories and experiences, has helped me increase listening to others, learning and supporting It’s great for one another. People shared emotionally my confidence and has meeting people challenging stories with the group that would not usually be discussed in a regular inspired me to look and having social setting. into setting up my company own social group.
8 Our work in Wales: My Generation Our work in Wales: My Generation 9 Towards more resilient communities: Key learning from the programme We’ve developed a versatile community-based model that is helping older people in Wales to live well, together.
Through this project, we’ve made a significant had improved their lives. The evaluation Huw Irranca-Davies AM meets and much-needed contribution towards showed that the majority of participants My Generation participants in 2018 an early-intervention, tackling issues such improved their wellbeing and self-belief. as loneliness and isolation in Wales. Building lasting support networks Improving wellbeing and The My Generation model provides an reducing isolation accessible platform for the development of peer Next steps Our aim is to help people live well, whatever support groups. Participants bonded through the In 2018, My Generation was rolled 73% showed an improvement to their self that means for them. Those who completed shared experience of taking part in the course out to more local Minds and delivered efficacy, compared to 67% in the pilot phase. the course were positive about the effect and many were keen to establish or join local in every health board area in Wales, it had on them as individuals, giving groups that support people in their communities. The scale up of My Generation has continued reaching a further 315 older people. examples of how their new skills and friends to improve older people’s resilience and Our independent evaluation showed that 82% reduce isolation and loneliness. In 2019, Mind of participants showed an increase in relation will be rolling the programme out to more to wellbeing from baseline to exit surveys in local Minds and supporting local Minds to 2018, compared to 78% during 2017 pilot phase. help them sustain My Generation and reach more at risk older people across Wales. 68% displayed a positive change in their social I found that after many years of holding capital, compared to 74% in the pilot phase. everything in, it was a great release. At the end of the sessions, I realised that I do 3 actions Mind 3 actions we ask other count. I am worth it and it has taken me to a have taken organisations to take point where I can manage certain situations 1. Used the learning from the evaluation 1. Keep mental health on the agenda. pilot phase to scale up delivery of Commit to taking action to reduce some and have stopped carrying the programme, allowing greater of the barriers that prevent older people numbers of older people across from talking about their mental health and Wales to access the course. provide funding for the My Generation it around with me. programme in your local area. 2. Encouraged local Minds to build - ‘Jean’ from Newport relationships with a diverse range 2. Consider and prioritise the needs of community organisations in order of older people when developing to ensure the course is accessible and implementing services in the to a wide range of older people local community and ensure there from a variety of backgrounds. are opportunities for isolated older people to come together and 3. Shared our learning and promoted participate in social activities. the benefits of My Generation to stakeholders, building 3. Consider the implications that improving partnerships to ensure the future the wellbeing and social connection of sustainability of the programme. older people can have, with regards to wider health and social care and invest in early interventions for those at risk.
10 Our work in Wales: My Generation Our work in Wales: My Generation 11 About us
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