annual review 2013-2014 - inspire...niamh people 8-9 our mission/our values 10-11 niamh group...

Annual Review 2013-2014

3Annual Review 2013-2014

Contents

Message from the Chair and CEO 4-5

Our year in Numbers 6-7

Niamh People 8-9

Our Mission/Our Values 10-11

Niamh Group Strategy 2013-2014 12-13

Beacon in the Community 14-18

Volunteers 19

Beacon Schemes 20-23

EFQM and IIP Awards 24-26

Award Sponsorships 27

Carecall 28-30

Act NOWSOS 31

Innovation grants 32-33

Reconnect Film Project 34

Staff Conference 35

Six Strings and Stigma 36-37

“Our Lives our Decisions” Symposium 38-39

Poet Laureate Workshops 40-41

Inspire 42-44

Change Your Mind 45

Niamh Summer BBQ 46-47

Living Well Living Longer 48-49

Accounts 50-57

4 Niamh Wellbeing 5Annual Review 2013-2014 4 Niamh Mental Wellbeing 5Annual Review 2013-2014 4 Niamh Wellbeing

As Chair and Chief Executive, we are pleased to present Niamh’s Annual Review for the year 2013-2014. In our opening message this time last year, we wrote that it was our intention to make our services available to even more people and we are delighted to be able to update you not only on this increase of access to existing services but also of the expansion of our service portfolio.

Since last year the number of people accessing Beacon’s Day Support has grown by 10% to over 1,500 and our 28 supported housing schemes provided accommodation for 430 people. An additional two advocacy contracts were secured with the Northern Trust, our Filor Court service was remodelled to offer a higher level of support and we provided increased access to psychological therapies to those with long-term mental health problems.

Carecall now makes its services available to over 565,000 people – 100,000 more than last year – and has delivered over 30,000 counselling sessions to almost 6,500 people – increases of 33% and 17% respectively year on year. Carecall not only supports 185,000 students but is also available to every teacher on the island of Ireland.

In addition to this significant growth in current service provision, we also expanded our service to offer support and accommodation to individuals with Learning Disability. In October 2013, Niamh entered into a joint venture with Oaklee Homes Group to take over management of its Oaklee Care and Support Services. This new service – Inspire – is the largest local collaboration between a Housing Association and a Mental Health Charity and consists of four residential locations in Armagh, Antrim, Lisburn and Omagh providing high quality care and support to 90 people with learning disabilities. There is also a fifth location being prepared in Belfast.

Achieving such growth in one year demands robust systems, procedures and people and we were delighted to have these recognised and endorsed by receiving the European Foundation Quality Model (EFQM) Ireland Excellence Award and the Investors in People (IIP) Gold accreditation. The EFQM award is one of the most rigorous international quality assessments with a focus on quality and innovation. The gold IIP award stands out as a measure of business success and Niamh is the only organisation in Northern Ireland to ever achieve this on its first assessment.

This growth in service, increased access to support and award recognition is impressive but not as impressive as the people they represent. Each figure listed above represents vulnerable people in our communities who are receiving the support, care and help they need to lead flourishing lives. Each award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of trustees, staff and volunteers who come together to ensure the highest quality of service provision. This mix of passion and compassion together with a person centred approach will remain at the core of Niamh’s activities and be the foundation for future growth.

Message from the Chair and CEO

5ANNUAL REVIEW 2013-2014

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Our Year in NumbersOne vision and one strategy set the wheels in motion…

566,152 lives covered

by Carecall

6,493 Carecallreferrals

1,361individuals

provided with day support

430people in supported

housing

90individuals with

learning disabilityin supported

housing

2,149training places

15 day support services

28housing schemes

30,262 counselling

sessions

4 advocacy services with 428 cases and 6,000

contacts

39people engaged

with floating support

99 newemployees

100wellbeing events and conferences

132recruitment campaigns

92training topics

237training courses

4new residential

schemes focused on learning disability


Niamh PeopleOur Board Members

Prof. Martin Bradley OBE (Chair of the Niamh Group Board)

Prof. Ken Addley

Mr. Ivan Carruthers

Dr. Paul Devine

Mr. Stephen Hodkinson

Dr. Clare Mangan

Dr. Hugh McKenna

Mr. Stephen O’Brien

Ms. Finola O’Kane

Mr. Robert Stewart

Mr. Adrian McCreesh

Prof. Owen Barr

Ms. Carol Kinkead

Mrs. Bertha McDougall

Dr. Barbara English

working with organisations on a range of health and social issues. She is a Trustee of the Ulster People’s College Trust and a member of the CBI Council for Northern Ireland.

Billy Murphy, Director of Mental Health Services – BeaconBilly studied Psychology at the University of Ulster and began his career with Extern in 1986. He qualified in Social Work in 1991 and initially worked for Barnardos before

taking up post as a Social Worker with Older People in South and East Belfast Trust. He moved to Senior Social Worker, Care Manager then Senior Care Manager. In 2002 he became Programme Planner for Mental Health Services in South and East Belfast Trust and, when the Belfast Trust was formed in 2007, he became part of the Senior Management Team in Mental Health as a Service Development Manager. This work involved the modernisation of the Trusts’ Mental Health Services.

James Nicholl, Director of Finance and Corporate Services Having obtained a Degree in Accountancy from the University of Ulster, James joined Dale Farm in 1987 and qualified as an accountant in 1990. James held various

finance roles within Dale Farm where he built up a wide commercial experience including involvement

Our Senior Team

Peter McBride, Chief Executive Peter joined Niamh in 2001 as the Managing Director of Carecall. Since 2010 he has been the Group Chief Executive. Peter has degrees in Science and Divinity and at Masters Level in Social Work,

alongside further qualifications and experience in the fields of business management, counselling and the management of psychological trauma. He is a trustee of the national charity, BBC Children in Need, in which he chairs the Board’s Appointment and Remuneration Committee. He is a trustee of NICVA and has been involved for over 20 years in the victims and survivors sector in Northern Ireland, leading and consulting on a variety of different projects. Peter is Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Katherine McDonald, Director of CarecallKatherine joined Carecall in 2012 coming from previous posts in campaigning and public policy. She began her career working in Westminster for a political party on Northern Ireland policy before returning to

Northern Ireland to work for NIACRO in a press and PR role. In 1998, she co-founded Northern Ireland’s first public affairs and lobbying company, Stratagem,

in a number of successful acquisitions. In 2003 James was appointed as Group Finance Director of the Wright Group Ltd, where he played a key part in developing the strategy for the successful growth of the business.

Linda Hutchinson,Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development Linda joined Niamh in April 2012 prior to which she had worked mainly in the private sector in HR Director positions with large

multinational companies in airport management, facilities management, energy sector and aerospace engineering. Linda has also held the position of Director of Personnel within the public sector for the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. Linda has built up over 20 years’ experience in organisational development and raising business performance through best practice in people management, and is strongly committed to improving employee engagement as a key strategic enabler. She is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and holds a Masters Degree, BSc Honours degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from the University of Ulster.

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Supporting

ExploringExploring

Supporting

Our MissionWe want to build a flourishing society in which all people have access to services and support appropriate to their mental health and wellbeing needs.

To achieve this we will promote, support and explore flourishing mental wellbeing throughout society. We will be an exceptional organisation marked by excellence, efficiency and innovation.

Our ValuesWe provide high quality, professional and innovative services.

We enable positive outcomesfor the people who use our services.

We act with integrity and compassion.

We engage with and inspire each other.

We influence policy and public opinion.

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Niamh Group Strategy Map 2013 – 2014

Niamh’s Vision: Mental Health and Wellbeing for All

Customer C1Increase the number of people who use Niamh services

C2Develop an innovative and appropriate range of new services in NI and beyond

Processes PR1Achieve EFQM Northern Ireland Quality Award

PR2Maximise the full benefit of the new Management Information System

People PE1Drive a culture of high performance learning and development through the full implementation of the PMS

PE2Improve communication throughout the organisation

Financial F1Increase turnover

F2Generate a surplus to facilitate investment in services, innovation and growth

C3Increase public awareness of Niamh’s vision and work

C4Increase our influence on mental health and wellbeing policy and practice

C5Provide evidence of positive outcomes for customers and high levels of customer satisfaction

PR3Ensure all activities are based on a clear evidence base and best practice

PR4Develop “Connected Health” interventions across Niamh

PR5Improve the Niamh estate to ensure fitness for purpose

PE3Develop and implement a Social Media Strategy for internal and externalcommunication

PE4Develop a culture of innovation and high performance

PE5Create a variety of opportunities to attract a diverse range of people to work and volunteer within Niamh

F3Maintain an appropriatelevel of reserve

F4Increase the level of financial awareness and budgetary management throughout the entire organisation

F5Proactively seek competitive advantage through strategic relationships in NI and beyond

in the CommunityNiamh is dedicated to supporting the communities in which it operates and this does not end at the services offered in its Beacon centres.

On 4th November 2013 the team in Beacon’s Market Street scheme organised a clothes swap. The evening raised £145.00 which was donated to the local school Bellaghy Primary. Any remaining clothes were all donated to local charity shops in Magherafelt.

Magherafelt District Council, Market Street Beacon Centre and Magherafelt High School joined forces in June 2013 as part of the local community

festival and hoedown to create a straw man for the event. A-level art student Hannah Waterson and Julie Wilson from Beacon worked with service users in the Beacon centre to design and dress the straw creation and to provide inspirational words to attach to the straw man. Magherafelt Council organised for a story teller to come to the centre to help members with a story about the straw man which would promote Market Street Beacon Centre. The story was then linked to a bar code which could be read by a smart phone app. The full event was attended by 40 people from the Centre (members and family). All reported they had a very enjoyable day and night. Total money raised on the night was £5262.00 which was shared between Beacon, Charis and Autism charities.

1. Clothes swap cheque.2. Straw man, Magherafelt.

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Supporting


and share large parts of their life story, almost always interesting, stories of tough childhoods, work, health and everything in between. You get the feeling that some of these individuals are lonely and you’re the first approachable person they have encountered today…’ David Hughes, Project Worker

March 2014 saw the Woodlands Beacon scheme organise and run a Health Fair in Cookstown. Focusing on mental and physical wellbeing, the fair included stands and representatives from PSNI, Citizens Advice, Cancer Focus, Cookstown Council, community networks, Breakthru – drug and alcohol awareness, PIPS, Lifeline, Mindwise, Praxis and complementary therapists.

The fair was a great event for raising awareness and signposting to support agencies in the local area. Beacon members engaged in the event came not only from Beacon in Cookstown, but also from Beechview in Dungannon.

Staff at Enterprise Court, Bangor planned events in the local community to promote Niamh and Beacon. Part of the day focused on the promotion of Niamh’s anti-stigma campaign.

A project worker also organised two ‘flag days’ in local towns to pilot this as a profile raising project and also to gauge this as a way of raising funds for services. The highlight of this was speaking to the public as quoted:

‘…As always members of the public approach and spend some time with you telling stories of their own journey around mental health although more than often it’s someone they know. At best we try to affirm their stories and if necessary offer information and guidance. It would more than likely be older individuals who approach

1. Health Fair Cookstown. 2. Health Fair Cookstown.3. Enterprise Court staff out and about in local shopping centres.4. World Mental Health Day.

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1. Woodlands Project.2. Woodlands Project produce.

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One of the great successes in Woodlands was the creation of the Beacon garden. The gardenstarted as a piece of wasteland outside the centre that Beacon members agreed would be an idealplace to grow their own vegetables and flowers; a place where they could feel a part of somethingproductive and allow for them to have a beautiful space to socialise and reflect.

With support from Cookstown Council, a local horticulture tutor and young adults from the Princes’ Trust a plan was formed and Beacon members, the Council and the young people worked together to clean up the area. This beautiful space now has a wide array of flowers, vegetables, a polytunnel full of fresh, red

tomatoes and some of our members are currently completing NVQ level 1 in horticulture. This project was initially driven by the Woodlands’ staff team but, importantly, it has become a member led activity. Our members not only feel fulfilled but their confidence has increased through learning and education on horticulture.

Members’ feedback was that they find their effortsin the garden very fulfilling. This project has been positive in a number of ways, it has benefited ourmembers and it has strengthened links with the centre and the local council, the Princes’ Trust andit is a project that has led to members’ confidence increasing thorough learning and educationon horticulture.


Volunteers Approximately 90-100 volunteers have been engaged in supporting Niamh’s activities during 2013-14 with the majority of these individuals complementing the services provided within Beacon. Building on the success of the Investing in Volunteers Award achieved in 2012, we have continued to develop our volunteering strategy as well as the support provided to volunteers, for example:

• New volunteer welcome sessions were introduced in L/Derry and Belfast;

• Role descriptions have been developed and are in place for all Niamh volunteers;

• The Volunteer Forum met quarterly to provide ongoing support and training to current volunteers;

• A formal volunteer training programme was developed in consultation with volunteers.

Moylena CourtMoylena Court has gained 3 new volunteers this year. The new recruits have been befriending members, facilitating outings and plan to help members to develop a vegetable patch. One of the new volunteers is a former member of Moylena Court who has recently moved into her own flat; she was successful in gaining a position as a volunteer with Beacon and plans to commence healthy eating/wellbeing groups over the coming months.

Cedar CourtA former Cedar Court service user now volunteers in the scheme and has helped set up a Healthy Eating group. A second volunteer joined in the summer of 2013; initially to help out with the garden, but then moved into a befriending role during the winter months.

Pride of Britain NomineeTommy Stewart – who volunteered for Bracken Beacon Centre for over 35 years – was one of four Northern Ireland finalists nominated for The Pride of Britain Awards in 2013! Tommy was the recipient of Belfast City Council’s Older Volunteer of the Year Award in 2012 and his work with Beacon was showcased on UTV Live in September 2013.


Get To Know Our SchemesProfile: House 12, Enterprise CourtHouse 12 is a supported housing scheme located within Enterprise Court in Bangor. The result of a collaboration between the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Oaklee Housing, House 12 has just celebrated its 12th birthday.

In House 12, we offer intensive physical and mental health support to eight adults with varying degrees of mental illness and physical deterioration. But our support means more than that to us – called House 12 it is our residents’ home and it is important that it feels like that for them.

They are encouraged to engage in all aspects of the service; they are consulted on all levels regarding the care and support they receive and there are monthly partnership meetings to encourage them to voice their views. Our gardening group continues to remain a success with the development of the vegetable patch and a secret garden outside House 12, which has created a place where residents can sit and relax. This year has seen the addition of a sculptural

Totem Pole to which our residents contributed as a community project. The residents were also proactive in assisting with fundraising activities by making candles and Christmas cards to sell to family and friends.

Highlights from Other Schemes

Aspen: BelfastAspen was successful in gaining Community Arts funding to transform a dark, uninspiring outdoor area. Artist Ciara Campbell worked alongside members to design and transform the area into a mural depicting a secret garden incorporating woodland birds and creatures. Woodlands: Cookstown (pictured overleaf)

Woodlands members took part in a Live and Learn event in Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh. They had the opportunity to undertake a number of courses, including one in IT delivered by a tutor from South West College. By engaging in this course members developed their skills in computing and are now able to access the internet, use Microsoft Word

1. House 12, Enterprise Court, Bangor.2. Totem Pole at House 12.3. Fundraising candles.4. Fundraising Christmas Cards.5. Aspen, before picture.6. Aspen, after picture.

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and create their own documents such as letters. They also received certificates for a course in “Healthy Lifestyles”, which involved members learning skills about healthy cooking, effective and simple ways of managing their weight.

Market Street: MagherafeltWith Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday in 2014, all the members in Market Street decided to celebrate in style with a themed party. Members prepared all week to make this a night to remember and staff helped by buying ingredients and sourcing Valentine-themed recipes. Decorations were put up and heart-shaped cookies and cupcakes baked and iced for

the big event. A great time was had by all both at the event and in the week of preparation. Members agreed that all monies raised should be donated to Habitat for Humanity NI, which our Manager Dorothy Devlin was involved in; all members felt this was a very worthwhile cause. Dorothy worked in Africa for 10 days, helping build houses for people who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Abbeyview: ArmaghAbbeyview in Armagh had an eventful year with their trip to the Ulster American Folk Park being a real highlight for the members. They also celebrated 2013 and rang in 2014 with their own New Year’s Eve party with food and entertainment for all. Also pictured above is the beautiful mosaic completed by the Abbeyview Arts & Crafts Group. The group worked hard and showed great artistic flair throughout.

1. Live and Learn event, Omagh.2. Valentine’s Day, Magherafelt.3. New Year’s Eve party.4. Trip to the Ulster Americam Folk Park.5. Working on the Mosaic Project.6. Mosaic Project.

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The coveted gold award stands out as a measure of business success when organisations strive to achieve their Investors in People accreditation and for Niamh this gold award was achieved on its first assessment. The only organisation to ever achieve this in Northern Ireland.

Professor Peter McBride, Niamh’s Chief Executive, is passionate about a vision for joined-up mental health, care and support services and is quick to point out that the vision for Niamh is all inclusive: supports those with experience of mental illness, but also promotes positive mental health for the rest of the population.

“Support for mental wellbeing in the workplace is vital if businesses and employers are to build strong and resilient workforces that will not only

Niamh Strikes Ahead in Winning IIP Gold

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1. IIP Gold Award.

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weather the economic storm but also protect the mental wellbeing of its staff.” In line with this focus on people management in its advisory and counselling services offered through Carecall, it is hardly surprising that Niamh as an employer adopts a similar commitment in the development of its own staff.

With the Investors in People Gold accreditation and a strong and visible commitment to staff engagement and development, there is a solid foundation forgreater expansion in the future.

Since 2010, Niamh has grown at an exponential rate reflective not only of the need for its services but also the credibility and trust that it has gained from both public and private sectors. With a complement of 500 staff and an annual turnover in excess of £10m, the professional Human Resource team located in University Street, Belfast has demonstrated best practice in its people management. The collaboration with the Oaklee Homes Group to form Niamh’s learning disability division Inspire earlier this year proves the capacity of this charity to encompass an even broader range of support services in its holistic approach to social care. With the Investors in People Gold accreditation and a strong and visible commitment to staff engagement and development, there is a solid foundation for greater expansion in the future. At the IIP award ceremony at Hillsborough Castle on 5th December 2013, Minister Stephen Farry congratulated Niamh on its achievement, saying: “I commend Niamh on their great achievement, achieving Gold Investors in People accreditation at their very first assessment. Organisations succeed by realising the potential of their people. We know that organisations that invest in their people are much more likely to survive tough times and times of change.

As a people-centred organisation, Niamh was delighted that the assessor commented in particular on the enthusiasm of its staff; it was a significant compliment to the high-quality, targeted and mature services that are provided.

Of the 24,000 plus organisations that were awarded IIP in the UK in 2012, just 1.2% achieved Gold. For Niamh to have achieved this on first assessment is a remarkable endorsement of its very visible commitment to excellence in people management, and is something that every staff member and volunteer can be justifiably proud.

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Healthcare Management AwardsNiamh sponsored the ‘Manager of the Year Award’ at the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) Awards Annual Conference and Gala Dinner held at the Hilton Hotel, Belfast on Thursday7th November 2013. Peter McBride presented the ‘Manager of the Year Award’ to Liz Bannon, Co-Director of Maternity, Women and Children’s Health in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Professor McBride commented: “Although it was a difficult task to choose just one winner, Niamh feels that Liz was a very worthy recipient of this award. Liz Bannon has contributed significantly to the improvement of maternity services and has set a high standard of excellence that will inspire integration and leadership in the delivery of quality health and social care across Northern Ireland.”

At the 2013 RCN Nurse of the Year Awards, a new award, supported by Niamh, was established to reward innovation in mental health services. Roisin Henry, from Mid Ulster, is a Personality Disorder Practitioner. Roisin won the award for

developing the Personality Disorder Service in the Northern Trust. She was praised at the event – held on the Culloden on 6th June 2013 – for improving staff morale and, most importantly, improving the service for users.

Nurse of the Year Awards

4. Professor Peter McBride, CEO Niamh; Paula Thompson – Mental Health Innovation Award runner up; and Janice Smyth, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland.

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3. Louise McMahon (NI Chair); Manager of the Year Award winner Liz Bannon; Peter McBride, CEO Niamh; Dr Andrew McCormick, Permanent Secretary of DHSSPS.

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EFQM AwardOn 30th January 2014 Niamh was invited to attend an awards ceremony held by the Centre of Competitiveness at Clandeboye Lodge in Bangor to receive the prestigious EFQM Ireland Excellence award.

Niamh was one of only four organisations across Ireland to pick up this prestigious award, which means that we are now seen as a role model organisation in Ireland! There is no higher award for EFQM in Ireland, so the only place left to go is for the EFQM European Award. The European Foundation Quality Model (EFQM) award is one of the most rigorous international quality assessments for private, public and voluntary sector organisations. It demonstrates that Niamh is innovative and quality focused but, more importantly, this award provides stakeholders with the reassurance that the services the charity provides are of the highest quality.

1. Peter McBride CEO, Niamh with members of the Niamh team accepting the award. 2. Peter McBride with Rose Reynolds from Niamh at the award ceremony.

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In 2013-14, 566,152 people had access to Carecall services. This number includes: 290,000 individuals in the workplace, 185,000 students, 90,000 people through specialist agencies and every teacher on the island of Ireland.

We delivered 30,262 counselling sessions – a 33% increase on the previous year; and 103 training courses – a 63% increase on the previous year.

Quality at our CoreAt Carecall, we want our customers and our clients to have confidence in the counselling we deliver. Therefore we apply Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluations (CORE) in our counselling. Key findings for this model show that 98% of clients improved after attending Carecall, with 68% showing clinically significant or meaningful improvementin their psychological wellbeing. Reaching OutIn 2013-14, our focus has been on reaching out to customers and clients directly through a variety of media. On World Mental Health Day (10th October 2013) Carecall hosted a HR conference in the Stormont Hotel in Belfast. The event was attended by representatives from over 100 organisations and it looked at how supporting good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace improves business success.

New Lives CoveredIn 2013-14, Carecall increased the number of employees it covers in the Republic of Ireland by 9,000 and also now offers counselling to an additional 18,000 students in Northern Ireland.

ActNow SOS is a drama-based project supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s ‘Rural Challenge’ Programme. Following an increase in suicides in the Fermanagh area, Beacon teamed up with Lakeland Players, a local amateur drama group, to work on bringing this project to life; to address the stigma of mental health and encourage open dialogue and conversation specifically in young people.

The focus of the project was to improve the understanding of mental health in young people. As such, young people were involved from the outset as part of focus groups to identify key contributing factors that might affect their mental/emotional wellbeing.

Through this project, young people in schools across Fermanagh were informed about mental ill health, associated stigma was challenged through workshops and signposting to support organisations was put in place.

The play, written by Heather Corpe and adapted by Lakeland Players, depicts a young boy struggling to balance different aspects of his life in school, at home and in his social circle. The workshops were devised and delivered by Beacon staff and volunteers in conjunction with young people.

The play was then followed up with one of four workshops with each focused on a specific issue: social media, self-harm, body image and family pressures. The workshops focused on concerns in each area, how they can affect mental wellbeing and ways that this stress can be managed. Therefore, in addition to being educated about issues of mental wellbeing, young people were also provided with the opportunity to learn important skills that they could implement with themselves and others.

Overall 1,050 pupils in 14 schools across the ward took part in this project. At each performance a local sportsperson or politician was asked to speak about the factors affecting their own wellbeing providing real life, relatable examples of issues that can affect the audience.


ActNOW SOSAs we all live in a world of social media, emails, texts and smart phones, we have this year developed the Carecall app.

Free to download on iPhone and Android devices, the app lets you check in on your own mental wellbeing by taking a quick anxiety test or find out more about topics such as depression, sleep and eating disorders.


Innovation GrantsThe innovation grants scheme is a programme operated and funded by Niamh to encourage and support staff in realising innovative ideas to enhance service delivery and create a better environment for service users.

The team in Enterprise Court, Bangor applied for an innovation grant to provide Beacon members with a multi-sensory environment that promotes physical health and stimulates mental wellbeing. The grant and their hard work and dedication enabled them to realise their vision of developing their underused outdoor green space, into an octagon garden. This project has been completed and is a more effectively used space for the service users to relax and enjoy.

This has enabled an increase in physical health and mental wellbeing for those who do not regularly use public outdoor space. This also provides a rich environment where individuals can relax outdoors in the summer months, where BBQs can be held, an environment where homegrown produce can be cultivated and used for the benefit of all.

Given the nature of House 12, a number of clients are unable to spend time out in the community, for example taking time to visit the local parks and gardens. The service users spend significant time in and about the house and they are often too unwell to take advantage of trips out. These trips cannot be facilitated every day and the chance to sit out in the summer weather will become something of which they can avail. There already exists an area at the front of House 12 with seating and a pond. The area at the rear has supplemented this and is a somewhat more private and quiet space.

The service users and staff were involved in a small group project to create a secret garden for the service users to sit in and relax. This venture has been successful and the garden is now completed. The service users have been involved from the initial planning to the end result.

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Staff Conference128 staff from across all Niamh’s services attended the annual staff conference on 5th December 2013 at the Glenavon Hotel.

The event was themed around the 2013-14 strategy and focused on how to bring the strategy to life in a meaningful and relevant way in every part of the organisation. Integral to this was the focus on the High Performance Workplace.

Re-Connect Film Project in Conjunction with ESCThis project was awarded a Niamh innovation award and was showcased during Niamh’s Staff Conference.

This project involved our Connect group made up young people from both Aspen and Bracken. The project was kindly funded by Belfast City Council and ran in partnership with ESC (Educational Shakespeare Company). It was not only a great opportunity for our Connect group but also for many of those involved to share their journey

of living with mental ill health and trauma through drama and film. Throughout this project the members have shown great courage and creativeness, particularly in their involvement in the production of this film. The film was shown as part of the film festival for World Mental Health Day.

One of the Connect members involved in the project stated:

“As a member of the Connect film project I improved my skills and trust in a social setting, while sharing my own experience and hearing other members’ traumatic experiences. Finally we filmed our stories which helped create a distance from our trauma in a creative and therapeutic way.”

The participation of members in this project has varied according to their individual needs. For some, sharing their experiences in a group setting was enough and for others, they wanted their stories to be shared with the wider public in the hope that their journeys would stimulate conversation and encourage other young people to get the support they need.

Songwriters were presented with Beacon members’ stories of fear, isolation, ridicule, hope and recovery. These stories were then used by the musicians as the lyrics and inspiration for their compositions that were then captured in the album. The launch night of the album took place in Cultúrlann on 12th October 2013 with 14 bands performing their tracks from the album. MLA Mark Durkan and Deputy Mayor Gary Middleton were there to support the event.

Barry McGale (Suicide Liaison Officer, WHSCT) commented that it was “a Privilege to be in the auditorium to hear the performances”. DJs from Radio Ulster, Mark Patterson and Stephen McCauley later reported that: “If it was not the biggest event, it was the most significant event held in Derry this year”. A number of interviews and performances had taken place on Radio Ulster in the lead up to the event resulting in the selling out of tickets for the launch.

Members who provided their stories also had the opportunity to meet with the musicians involved; this was very emotional for everyone and a highlight of the evening.


Six Strings and StigmaSix Strings and Stigma is a musical project that allowed Beacon members from Clarendon Street, L/Derry to express their experiences of mental ill health with the support and talent of some of Northern Ireland’s top musicians and those experiencing mental ill health, resulting in the launch of a new album, now available to download from Amazon and iTunes. Funding for the project was provided by the Extraordinary People Project, under the umbrella of the City of Culture.

1. Staff members Maria McNamee, Allison Foley, Donna Moore, Eileen Peoples and volunteer Brigeen Viera at the album launch.2. Paddy Nash, from the band The Happy Enchiladas, meets Beacon member Patrick Robinson who provided his story to inspire the track “Seized” from the album.3. Musicians celebrating Six Strings and Stigma.4. Deputy Mayor Gary Middleton, Liam Quigley, Ruairi O’Doherty and Allison Foley.

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39Annual Review 2013-2014 38 Niamh Wellbeing 39Annual Review 2013-2014 38

“Our Lives, Our Decisions” Mental Capacity SymposiumNiamh Wellbeing and MencapWe all make decisions, big and small, every single day of our lives and most of us are able to make these decisions for ourselves. At times we may seek information, advice or support for the more serious or complex decisions and that’s only natural when we want a different perspective on the choice available. But for people with a mental illness or learning disability, it hasn’t always been an automatic entitlement to make their own decision or even ask for advice.

On 20th March 2014, Niamh and Mencap hosted the “Our Lives, Our Decisions” symposium at the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast in anticipation of the Mental Capacity (NI) Bill and the UK’s first session before the United Nations Committee for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The symposium was supported by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, attended by Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell MLA and Jennifer McCann MLA and was addressed by international leaders in mental capacity, Michael Bach, Canadian Association for Community Living and Oliver Lewis, Mental Disability Advocacy Centre. It is essential that people with lived experience of mental ill-health and people with learning disability co-produce legislation, Code

of Practice, policy and services around mental capacity. As such the symposium brought together individuals with lived experience, their families and carers as well as senior officials from the Bill teams in the Departments of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Justice and professionals involved in commissioning and delivery of statutory and voluntary services.

It was a unique opportunity for legislators to hear and understand the real life impact and experiences of scenarios that are raised by this bill. We heard from speakers with this lived expertise and there was strong representation from people with disabilities, their families and carers.

‘We need to make choices about our own lives. I am not an object.’

Roundtable and workshop discussion highlighted the importance of supporting people to make everyday decisions, for example around where they live, who they socialise with, how they spend their free time and what work they do. Advocacy and advanced planning are important supports for ensuring that individual’s ‘will and preference’ are understood, recorded and respected. The current decision making mechanisms need to become more transparent, flexible, accessible and open to exploring all options.

‘I think we need to stop using the term ‘capacity’ and think about using ‘decision making.’

Northern Ireland will be the first UK jurisdictionto introduce mental capacity legislation since the UK ratified the UN Convention in 2009.

Image: Maureen Piggot, Director of Mencap in Northern Ireland, Junior Minister Jonathan Bell, Prof. Peter McBride, Chief Executive of Niamh, and Junior Minister Jennifer McCann at the Capacity Symposium ‘Our Lives, Our Decisions’.


Poet Laureate explores “hidden city” of mental health with Beacon membersFor people living with mental ill-health, understanding and articulating feelings can be an important step on the journey towards recovery and wellbeing. There is increasing evidence that the arts can motivate and contribute to the mental health recovery journey in a number of different ways from helping with relaxation and concentration to finding new ways of exploring the meaning and understanding of words.

On 4th December 2013, Belfast’s Poet Laureate, Dr. Sinéad Morrissey, delivered creative writing workshops to members of the Beacon Wellbeing community. Each week the Poet Laureate visited the Bracken scheme at the Skainos Centre in East Belfast to engage with members experiencing mental ill-health difficulties.

As part of her role as Belfast’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Dr. Morrissey engaged with the people of Belfast in poetry and creative writing. Niamh believes that the Poet Laureate’s engagement with the mental health and wellbeing community presents an excellent opportunity to explore real experiences of contemporary life and the character of the modern city.

The Poet Laureate’s final visit was recorded by BBC Radio Ulster’s Arts Extra programme. Against a musical backdrop provided by a French Uileann Pipe player on the rooftop setting of the Skainos Centre on a brisk December morning, Beacon members recited their poetry for an audience of staff, friends and the Poet Laureate.

Image: Beacon staff and service members pictured with Dr. Sinead Morrissey.


In October 2013, Niamh announced its new joint venture with Oaklee Homes Group called Inspire - the new name for Oaklee Care and Support Services (OCSS).

From 1st October 2013 this service came under the Management of Niamh and by becoming part of the Niamh family, Inspire will be supported to grow, develop and respond to the emerging needs of those living with learning disabilities.

Ian Elliott, Oaklee Homes Group Chief Executive, commented on the joint venture: “Oaklee celebrates this joint venture as the way forward to ensure the highest standards of service to our residents and maintain the professionalism of care. Niamh and Oaklee see Inspire as the new major force in care provision, which will bring exciting opportunities in the coming years. This is the game changer for joint working and makes the best use of the expertise in our individual companies.”

Professor Peter McBride, Niamh Group Chief Executive, added: “At the core of Niamh’s values is our commitment to mental health and wellbeing for all and Inspire will allow us to expand the number of people who will benefit from this. We pride ourselves in providing what our service users tell us they need and want. This ethos extends to Inspire and we are looking forward to developing excellent learning disability services through this joint venture that will add real benefit to those who use them.”

Image: Professor Peter McBride, Group Chief Executive of Niamh; Ian Elliott, Group Chief Executive of Oaklee Homes Group;Timothy Quin, Chairman of Oaklee Homes Group; and Professor Martin Bradley, Chairman of Niamh.

An Inspiring New Venture


1. Mulhern Close - Omagh, Old Activity Room2. Christmas party3. Resident’s birthday4. New Activity Room, The Mulberry Lounge – residents enjoying gardening activities5. Santa delivering presents

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Inspire-ing images

45Annual Review 2013-2014 45Annual Review 2013-2014

Following on from the contribution of Sue Baker from England’s ‘Time to Change’ campaign at our World Mental Health Day event in 2012, this year we heard from Isabella Goldie, Head of Mental Health Programmes for the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland. Included in these programmes is the anti-stigma campaign ‘See Me’,

which will deliver national campaigns, community engagement and development and innovation labs within an equality and human rights framework. People with lived experience of mental ill-health will be at the centre of ‘See Me’.

The Niamh – ECNI partnership published a set of anti-stigma materials: a poster, leaflet and conversation card. Throughout the year Carecall contributed to ECNI training and participated in regional meetings of employer networks. This partnership continues with the development of a Workplace Mental Health Charter and Factsheet by the ECNI, Niamh’s Public Affairs and Policy staff and other voluntary organisations.

Image: Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner ECNI; DHSSPS Minister Edwin Poots; DETI Minister Arlene Foster; and Professor Peter McBride, Niamh Group CEO at the launch the ‘Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace, initiative.

Change Your MindTo celebrate World Mental Health Day in October, Minister Arlene Foster launched our regional Change Your Mind campaign’s workplace initiative, which Niamh and Carecall developed in partnership with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The event in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings showcased good practice around mental health in the workplace by leading Northern Irish employers in the public and private sectors.


Niamh Summer BBQ 2013A great day out at The Argory in Dungannon for 200 Niamh staff and their families. From archery to sumo wrestling, climbing walls to bouncy castles all topped off with a BBQ in the summer sun!


Living Well Living LongerLiving Well Living Longer is a Beacon service provided in the community for people over the age of 60 living in the district council areas of Newtownards, Lisburn, Armagh and Dungannon. It is designed to support service users to live safely and independently in their own community.

The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund Reaching Out: Connecting Older People programme until September 2016.

It is a new and innovative service provided by Niamh, supported by various partners including South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Fold Housing, Citizens Advice and Age NI.

The main aims of the service are to support people to:

- maintain their independence - improve physical wellbeing- improve emotional wellbeing- reduce social isolation.

The service started in September 2013 in the Newtownards and Lisburn areas, followed by Armagh and Dungannon in December 2013.The service has been promoted among various stakeholders in the statutory and voluntary sector to encourage referrals to the service. Referrals are allocated a project worker in the local council areas, and an individual assessment is undertaken to ensure a personalised service.

The scheme received 139 referrals in the first six months with almost half of those referred being over 80.

The Living Well Living Longer service can provide support in following areas:

- Accompaniment to hospital/medical appointments.- Shopping and daily living tasks.- Getting out and about in your local community. - Information on other services and how to access them.

- Home safety and security. - Short-term befriending. - Bereavement or traumatic event support.- Managing finances and benefit claims.- Health concerns, alcohol problems or general family worries.

1-3 Selection of photos of Living Well Living Longer events.

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The Living Well Living Longer Team


Financial Statements31 March 2014

Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)


Group statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2014

Incoming resources Unrestricted funds

£

Restricted funds

£2014

£

Funds2013

£

Incoming resources from generated funds

Voluntary income 229,388 8,679 238,067 226,907

Activities for generating funds 83 43,674 43,757 35,013

Investment income 34,534 634 35,168 47,658

264,005 52,987 316,992 309,578

Incoming resources from charitable activities

Beacon 24 hour supported housing services 2,321,400 1,627,758 3,949,158 3,963,598

Beacon non 24 hour supported housing services 423,643 777,944 1,201,587 876,942

Beacon support services 19,149 513,632 532,781 507,772

Beacon day support services 1,644,261 - 1,644,261 1,638,921

Beacon advocacy services 196,991 - 196,991 174,142

Carecall 1,903,369 25,000 1,928,369 1,650,529

Inspire housing services for people with learning disabilities

1,893,370 385,801 2,279,171 -

Inspire day support services for older people 40,399 - 40,399 -

Compass research income - 49,575 49,575 114,253

Big Lottery funded projects - 336,131 336,131 209,180

Other income 61,483 86,649 148,132 56,344

8,504,065 3,802,490 12,306,555 9,191,681

Total incoming resources 8,768,070 3,855,477 12,623,547 9,501,259

Unrestricted funds

£

Restricted funds

£2014

£

Funds2013

£Costs of generating funds

Costs of generating voluntary income 28 504 532 5,643

Investment management costs 3,092 - 3,092 2,802

3,120 504 3,624 8,445

Cost of charitable activities

Beacon 24 hour supported housing services 2,107,949 1,689,414 3,797,363 3,890,664

Beacon non 24 hour supported housing services 375,606 698,978 1,074,584 913,175

Beacon support services 10,516 465,384 475,900 501,054

Beacon day support services 1,930,438 - 1,930,438 1,884,511

Beacon advocacy services 227,654 - 227,654 208,019

Carecall services 1,816,361 3,571 1,819,933 1,558,969

Inspire housing services 1,790,103 337,246 2,127,349 -

Inspire day support services 30,597 - 30,597 -

Compass research costs 33,910 49,575 83,485 179,892

Other projects 56,636 386,979 443,616 238,727

8,379,770 3,631,147 12,010,919 9,375,011

Governance costs 115,367 - 115,367 98,021

Other resources expended

Taxation 4,163 - 4,163 -

Total resources expended 8,502,420 3,631,651 12,134,073 9,481,477


Unrestricted funds

£

Restricted funds

£2014

£

Funds2013

£Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers

265,649 223,826 489,474 19,782

Minority Interest share of net surplus (62,537) (13,721) (76,258) -

Transfers between funds (1,072) 1,072 - -

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before other recognised gains and losses

202,040 211,177 413,216 19,782

Other recognised gains and losses (352,488) - (352,488) 7,730

Net movement in funds (150,448) 211,177 60,728 27,512

Total funds brought forward 5,556,950 683,514 6,240,464 6,212,952

Total funds carried forward 5,406,502 894,691 6,301,192 6,240,464

2014£

2013£

Net incoming resources 413,216 19,782

Loss on revaluation of fixed assets for charity’s own use (360,073) -

Gain/(loss) on revaluation of investment assets 7,585 7,730

Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 60,728 27,5124

The group has no recognised gains or losses in the year other than those included in the statement of financial activities. All of the operations of the group are classed as continuing.

Group statement of total recognised gains and lossesfor the year ended 31 March 2014

Group balance sheetat 31 March 2014

2014£

2013£

Fixed assets

Tangible assets 2,670,741 3,072,374

Investments 61,467 53,882

2,732,208 3,126,256

Current assets

Cash at bank and in hand 3,611,124 3,106,510

Debtors 2,304,375 837,887

5,915,499 3,944,397

Creditors: (1,294,433) (830,189)

Net current assets 4,621,066 3,114,208

Total assets less current liabilities 7,353,274 6,240,464

Deferred tax (4,163) –

Minority Interest (1,047,919) –

6,301,192 6,240,464

Funds employed

Unrestricted funds

General 2,428,408 2,408,631

Designated 2,978,094 3,148,319

Restricted funds 894,691 683,514

6,301,192 6,240,464

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:

Martin E. BradleyDirectorDate: 20/10/2014


Company balance sheetat 31 March 2014

Group statement of cash flowsfor the year ended 31 March 2014

2014£

2013£

Fixed assets

Tangible assets 2,449,294 2,858,016

Investments 61,467 53,882

2,510,761 2,911,898

Current assets

Cash at bank and in hand 3,180,111 2,978,185

Debtors 947,918 593,928

4,128,029 3,572,113

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (650,906) (481,122)

Net current assets 3,477,123 3,090,991

Total assets less current liabilities 5,987,884 6,002,889

Funds employed

Unrestricted funds

General 2,329,457 2,385,414

Designated 2,763,736 2,933,961

Restricted funds 894,691 683,514

5,987,884 6,002,889

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:

Martin E. BradleyDirectorDate: 20/10/2014

2014£

2013£

Net cash inflow from operating activities (339,381) 20,140

Returns on investment and servicing of finance

Interest received 35,168 47,658

Taxation – corporation tax paid - -

Capital expenditure

Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (162,833) (333,848)

Acquisitions and disposals

Minority Interest on acquisition 971,660 -

(Decrease)/increase in cash 504,614 (266,050)

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds2014

£2013

£

(Decrease)/increase in cash 504,614 (266,050)

Changes in net funds resulting from cash flows 504,614 (266,050)

Opening net funds 3,106,510 3,372,560

Closing net funds 3,611,124 3,106,510

60 DIVISIONAL BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2015 D

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Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health80 University StreeetBelfast, BT7 1HENorthern IrelandT: 028 9032 8474F: 028 9023 4940W: niamhwellbeing.org

annual review 2013-2014 - inspire...niamh people 8-9 our mission/our values 10-11 niamh group...

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