Recovery and self-empowerment - Wellness Recovery Action Plan (NToW137)
Background
The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) initiative aims to embed the principles of recovery and self-empowerment within the mental health services in Hampshire by encouraging people to create their own action plan to focus and manage their own wellbeing. The WRAP approach focuses on wellbeing rather than illness and the project is about individuals taking control of their wellness.
WRAP enables an individual to have more control over their whole life, including times when they are ill.
The purpose of this project was to develop a new type of worker who would train and equip both staff and people who use mental health services to promote WRAP as an effective tool to promote wellbeing.
Aims/Objectives
The WRAP Project aimed to embed WRAP within Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust by providing coordinated training in the approach. Rather than work with individuals themselves, the team trains staff to support people who want to write their own plan. WRAP is very much a user-led approach, and so those with experience of mental distress are involved at all levels, from the steering group to trainers and project support workers.
What happened?
During the project, the following new types of worker were created:
- Project coordinator
The project coordinator was responsible for: running the project; marketing and promotion; developing and delivering the training and developing links with both statutory and non-statutory agencies - Project support worker
The project support worker was responsible for: administrative support; assisting the delivery and development of the training; promoting the benefits of WRAP. Personal experience of emotional distress was a requirement for this post.
In addition, a new type of manager was required to support and supervise the coordinator.
WRAP training has been provided to 250 people who use services, staff and carers. Trainees have gone on to facilitate WRAP groups in local inpatient and community settings.
Outcomes
Through the creation of the new roles and the subsequent training, more people have completed their own action plans.
Workers reported an improvement in understanding, communication and trust in the therapeutic relationship. People reported a greater self-awareness, ability to assert themselves and ask for what they need.
The WRAP project team shared their work in a number of forums and conferences, including the trust's Clinical Governance forums, The Guardian's 'Managing New Realities' Conference, Mind's National Conference March 2007 and The University of East Anglia's Mental Health & Aging Conference
Impact on workforce development and how you can use the learning
The WRAP team is very small in contrast to the size of the area covered by Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust. This means that the greatest successes have come from areas where the networks to roll out the training already exist. Gaining ground in harder to reach areas takes more time.
The roll-out of WRAP has been most successful in areas that have existing service user networks.
Although recovery-centred approaches aren't new, they are often 'add-ons' to a person's care. By rolling out WRAP training in a coordinated way it is hoped that WRAP will be available to everyone and become part of the mainstream.
There has been some resistance to the idea, with staff already feeling overburdened and being suspicious of the 'latest trend'. This highlights the need of the coordinator's skills in promoting the idea, highlighting its uniqueness and getting people 'on board'.
All people using the services of the mental health trust should already have a CPA (care programme approach). Whilst this plan should be made in conjunction with the service user, it is often driven by the needs of the service. WRAP can function alongside the CPA, helping the person to say what they need. The CPA process is under review and it is hoped that it will incorporate some of the WRAP principles.
Additional materials
NToW137 - WRAP wellness recovery action plan
NToW137 - Wellness recovery action planning presentation
NToW137 - Workforce change - The Leeds domicilary care pilot presentation
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