Evaluation Report Society Inc. (June 2020) Dr Donna Peach

Evaluation Report Society Inc. (June 2020) Dr Donna Peach

(Draft) Evaluation of Society Inc. Evaluation Report Society Inc. (June 2020) Dr Donna Peach (Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. “Why I do this, because I brought myself up from the age of 8…, I watched my dad go from a hardworking man to an alcoholic. I volunteer here and at other organisations, because these places, where a lot of people have been, I’ve been there as well, and I know what it feels like. There is nothing worse than someone being stuck out there without help.” (Ian, Society Inc. Volunteer). “I had a really bad episode last year where I almost took me own life and it’s kind of scared “Why I do this, becauseme…. I brought I had therapy myself, butup Ifrom needed the help where age of 8…, I watched my dadI couldgo from get outa hardworking and someone man that Ito could trust and talk to. (Diane, Society Inc. Client). an alcoholic. I volunteer here and other organisations, because these places, where a lot of people have been, I’ve been there I know what it feels like. There is nothing worse than“From someone the first being time stuckI did the out training there I waswithout help.” just hooked, and I knew it was where I wanted to be, what I wanted to do.” (Julie, Society Inc. Volunteer). Acknowledgement Thank you to everyone who kindly gave their time to contribute to the learning gained during this evaluation. 2 (Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. Contents Page Executive summary 4 Introduction 6 The context of need 7 Empowering social inclusion 9 Authentic personal relationships 9 Social network that support equality 12 Civic validation 14 Trusting collaborative norms 16 The response to Covid-19 18 Conclusion 20 References 21 3 (Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. Executive Summary People and relationships are central across Greater Manchester. In the to what constitutes Society Inc. Their relatively short time, Society Inc. has model is founded on three broad aims, been operating it has become a point of social inclusion, empowerment and referral for several organisations, support. This evaluation report including Salford Royal Hospital and demonstrates how Society Inc. enables Prescott House Mental Health Unit. local people to use and develop their skills and knowledge to support others The charity often receives referrals to within their community. Their model is assist individuals who are already in rooted in the belief that every person is receipt of a professional service. of value to their community. Engagement with Society Inc. provides the community-based support to actively Adopting a person-centred approach assist people in the process of is not uncommon. However, it is how addressing their complex needs. Without Society Inc. practice what they preach, undermining their personal touch, which ensures their clients, volunteers professionalism is at the heart of all and staff, reliably experience being Society Inc. practices. Notably, to valued as a person. The charity’s support their staff and volunteers they outcomes are embodied in the deliver an accredited training scheme experience of social inclusion and and facilitate reliable supervision and belongingness. Accordingly, the safeguarding procedures. development of this evaluation has been inductive, to allow that experience to All interviewees reflect a sense of emerge. pride in their participation with, and knowledge of Society Inc. An emergent The information shared in this report theme was about being local, but this is based on interviews with clients, their was not simply a matter of location. For family members, volunteers and staff. In example, one client described other the process of conducting interviews, I services such as Sure Start as attended the charity’s base in Little procedural rather than helpful; there was Hulton and observed interactions. I have a sense of feeling ‘othered’, that created been privileged to hear personal anxiety. Closer analysis suggests that experiences and trusted to hold a engagement with Society Inc. is shared understanding of ‘knowing’ how experienced as the acceptance of a Society Inc. is experienced, and why person’s vulnerability, without that is of value. judgement. That concept is the foundation of trust. Society Inc. is a charitable incorporated organisation that supports Additionally, the authentic discourses volunteers to provide mentoring and from staff and volunteers embraced befriending services to people in their language, which was often non- communities. It is based in the Little professionalised and indicative of their Hulton area of Salford and operates approach to inclusion as one that 4 (Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. engenders equality. That is of crucial to be available to meet the future needs importance when reducing barriers to of people who require their services. inclusion experienced by those who live That sense of permanence indicates a in areas of multiple deprivations, such as perception of strength in the social Little Hulton. It is within a landscape of network they have created, which decades of economic, social, health and extends beyond the individuals who are education inequality, that Society Inc. current volunteers. practices Society Inc. has responded effectively The volunteers who provide to the changing needs of its clients and mentoring and befriending services are volunteers during the Covid19 pandemic the conduit between Society Inc. as an and associated social restrictions. They organisation, and those who engage quickly adapted to further develop their with its services. Indeed, some who networking activities with other local approach the charity with a view of organisations. This was important, as the receiving support might soon discover government imposed social distancing the support they need could be in the measures can inhibit people from form of becoming a mentor or befriender seeking support. to someone else. Two people who started as volunteers are now employed Impressively, Society Inc. was by the charity, through its ability to proactive in developing communication attract funding. Society Inc. runs on a links with other charities and services to financial shoestring, yet it is able to streamline delivery and ensure they provide a service and nurture ambition were not duplicating their activities. They within the community that for many, is adapted their usual community-based worth its weight in gold. support systems to telephone communications. Recognising that some Reducing social isolation is a people’s mental well-being required the foundational Society Inc. activity. ability to see and talk to someone, they Volunteers seek to encourage their conducted some social distancing visits clients to safely experience the world at the garden gate. In addition to these around them, as a means to disrupt strategies, the staff have been mobilised feelings of loneliness and to nurture a to respond to those members of the greater sense of self-efficacy, community in urgent need of food. belongingness and enjoyment. This active approach supports clients to go A constant throughout the evaluation beyond pre-contemplation to active process was the importance of engagement with change. highlighting the value of those who are receiving and delivering Society Inc. The trusted relationships facilitated services. That foundational premise by Society Inc. and experienced within remained consistent, especially during their social network of support was this time of critical and acute need. implicit in all participant interviews. Particularly striking, was the belief that Society Inc. could be trusted to continue 5 (Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. Introduction Society Inc. was founded in 2017 as specific outcome negotiated between a constituted group, with a specific focus the mentor and their mentee. The on the needs of people living in the Little mentor relationships can be for a Hulton area of Salford. In January 2019, specific duration and focus. For it registered as a charitable incorporated example, to help someone find organisation and extended its attention employment. The data from this to meet needs across Greater evaluation is supported by research Manchester. Society Inc. has five which demonstrates that mentoring can Trustees, Joanne Bonney, Victoria have positive effects on the mental Fletcher-Simm, Mike Lappin and health of both mentors and mentees Josephine Nicklin. Additionally, Karen (Chun, et al., 2012; Dreher & Ash, 1990; Whitehead, who founded Society Inc is Gill, et al., 2018). a Trustee and acts as the Chief Executive Officer. Their befriending service is designed to support people who experience People and relationships are central loneliness and social isolation. These to what constitutes Society Inc. Their can be long-term relationships, which model is founded on three broad aims, are not necessarily driven by specific social inclusion, empowerment and goal orientated outcomes. Voluntary support. Their success has enabled two befriending schemes have also been of their volunteers Alison Gresty and found to have positive benefits for adults Nicola Leonard, to become employed as and families (Gentry at al., 2018; operational support workers who assist McGoldrick, et al., 2017; Preston & both clients, and volunteers. Moore, 2019; Vally & Abrahams, 2016). However, unlike similar services, As an organisation, Society Inc. Society Inc. provision is not limited by facilitates volunteers to act as mentors age, (anyone over the age of 18 years and befrienders to help foster and can be referred) or need. improve personal and social relationships. In turn, these activities All volunteers are trained both as help to reduce social isolation and anti- mentors and befrienders. Participants social behaviour while also improving described a permeability in their delivery mental and physical health, well-being that adapts to the changing needs of the and education (Brown & Rook, 2019). client, who may experience both aspects Society Inc.’s mantra is, ‘Connection of the service. This flexibility is important before Correction’. for people whose mental health needs can negatively affect their individual, The charity distinguishes between health, education, relational, economic their mentoring and befriending and societal wellbeing (Davies, 2013; de services.

View Full Text

Details

  • File Type
    pdf
  • Upload Time
    -
  • Content Languages
    English
  • Upload User
    Anonymous/Not logged-in
  • File Pages
    23 Page
  • File Size
    -

Download

Channel Download Status
Express Download Enable

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

  • Not to be reproduced or distributed without explicit permission.
  • Not used for commercial purposes outside of approved use cases.
  • Not used to infringe on the rights of the original creators.
  • If you believe any content infringes your copyright, please contact us immediately.

Support

For help with questions, suggestions, or problems, please contact us