“Holistic” community mental health service demonstrates ‘meaningful improvement’ in service user recovery

“It has been life-changing for me” – independent report finds that community mental health service has successfully demonstrated “holistic” new ways of helping local people with their mental health.

Living Well Salford, one of only four original pilot sites in the UK as part of the Living Well UK programme, saw 83% of service users reach one or more of their personal goals. The service, delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), offers holistic support for people struggling with their mental health.

The organisation reports that it interacts with people “holistically” by connecting them with the support they need in the community, based on their individualised needs, which could include areas such as finance, housing, employment, loneliness, and/or mental health support and treatment.

Demonstrating meaningful improvements in local communities

In a report, the social enterprise, Innovation Unit has found that Living Well Salford has supported people to achieve improved outcomes, including recovering from mental health problems and staying well enough to live the life they want to achieve.

The report, published on 15 August 2022, found that 83% of people that have been supported through the service have successfully reached one or more of their goals. It found that over half have experienced a ‘meaningful improvement’ in their recovery and quality of life.

Since the service launched in July 2020, over 30,000 ‘interventions’ have been delivered through the service, including community activities, trauma-specific support, employment support, mental health treatments and peer support.

Meeting the whole needs of people in need of mental health support

Service user and now peer support worker at Living Well Salford, Sarah Buckley, spoke in more detail on the methodology of the community mental health service. She said:

“This service is person-centred – we ask people what they want, what they like, and what keeps them well, and sort this for them. I spend time with people on a range of activities to help them move forward, from gardening to art and sometimes we’ll just have a coffee and share stories."

“The feedback we’ve been getting has been really positive. Getting people involved in the social side of things keeps them well, and it’s so exciting to be a part of it.”

Tammy Young, service manager at Living Well Salford, added:

“Living Well Salford is a new and innovative approach that has been co-designed with service users, voluntary organisations, local authority, health, and mental health service providers.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the team and the way we have worked together with our local communities to create this service. There’s a real spirit of community and togetherness, where all stakeholders are valued equally, and their views shape the way we do things.”

“I am delighted to see the success of the service reflected in our final evaluation report, alongside our Health Service Journal Awards shortlisting. Going forward, we will prioritise implementing the recommendations to make our service the best it can possibly be to serve the needs of our communities.”