Braveheart

Braveheart recruits and trains volunteer mentors to run self-help groups for people who suffer angina or have had a heart attack.

Aims:

• To increase knowledge about angina and heart attack to achieve a healthy lifestyle

• To increase information and guidance to make changes in lifestyle to improve well being

• To help individuals be more able to make informed choices about prevention

• To give greater independence and well-being in the community and reduce likelihood of admission into hospital

Self help groups:

• Between 8 – 12 participants per group

• Meet once every three weeks for two hours

• 12-15 meetings lasting 12 months

• Lead by two trained lay health mentors

Groups provide

• An opportunity to discuss subjects relating to heart disease

relevant to those taking part and• An opportunity for members to share experiences,

considering new ideas on how to reduce further visits to the hospital

Core Programme -

• Education about diagnosis

• Compliance with medical advice

• Diet –healthy eating

• Alcohol

• Value of exercise/activity

• Smoking

• Stress and relaxation

• Adapting to change

• Self management

• Benefits agency

Braveheart Health Mentors

• Recruited from the 40 + age group

Possible advantages to group members from volunteers are:

• Mentors may have experienced similar problems

• The volunteers through their age can serve as a positive role model

• Volunteer mentors can also inform the group of expanding support systems by making groups aware of community resources.

Mentor training involved

30 hours – initial training with

• Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister• Pharmacy Department• Dietetic Department• Forth Valley Health Promotion

Department• Smoking Cessation Nurse• Health Mentors• Braveheart Coordinator

Training continues every year

A total of 12 hours which includes:

• Cardiac resuscitation• Diet updates including alcohol• Bereavement• Stress/Relaxation• Infection control• Falls Prevention/ Osteoporosis• Benefits Agency• Smoking• Diabetes

New topics to be addressed• HRT & Sexual Dysfunction

The Braveheart Project

• Set up in 1996 as an Ageing Well Demonstration Project

• Few studies had examined the effects and feasibility of volunteer mentors engaging with their peers to discuss cardiovascular risk factors.

This study showed that using volunteer lay health mentors was:

• feasible

• practical

• safe

• positively influenced diet, physical activity and health resource utilisation in older people with ischaemic heart disease.

Research

• A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Senior Lay Health Mentoring in Older People with Ischaemic Heart Disease: The Braveheart ProjectPublished in Age and Ageing Vol. 33 No. 4British Geriatrics Society 2004; all rights reserved

• A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Senior Lay Health Mentoring to influence diet in older patients with Coronary Heart Disease:The Braveheart Project

• The Braveheart Story

• From Coronary Heart Disease to Empowerment

Research articles available to download from www.braveheart.uk.net

Qualitative interviews…..

It was noted that:

73% of participants thought that the experience was excellent or very good with only 3% unfavourable comments

77% considered that as well as changing their outlook on life, the Braveheart experience actually changed their behaviour over time

57% felt more confident in questioning treatment and more able and inclined to ask questions, more in contact with GP’s, Hospital doctors, nurses and Pharmacists.

93% considered the Braveheart experience was a good one and

90% considered that their lay mentors could not have improved their performance.

After the research – since 2002

• Funded till March 2006 (NOF)

• Charitable status

• Referrals now made by GP’s, Practice/District Nurses, Health visitors and staff within FDRI

• 19 self help groups set up between 2003 and 2004

• 16 Volunteer Health Mentors & 7 Walk Leaders were recruited and trained

• Braveheart Plus

• Programme rolled out to Kincardine and Clackmannan

• Publication of results in professional journal

• Braveheart - The Way Ahead – seminar

• Additional funding sought for Paths to Health programme

What lies ahead in 2005 ?

• Increase referrals from Primary Care Staff

• 24 groups planned

• Recruit & train another 8 health mentors & 4 walk leaders

• Investigate further funding for 2006

• Evaluate all groups and training

• Healthy Living Event

• Set up a health walk programme specifically for Braveheart participants

• Research & coordinate self help walking pack

Braveheart Partners

Scottish Executive

NHS Forth Valley

Big Lottery Fund

NHS Health Scotland

Merck, Sharp

& Dohme

Age Concern,

Ageing Well UK

FalkirkCouncil

VolunteerMentors &

Walk Leaders

Coordinator

Patients,family & friends

Voluntary Agencies e.g.

CVS

Any Questions?