Page 22 - Manchester Mind Annual Report 2021-2022

Annual Review 2020-21
Community Engagement Team
In October 2020, we had started to deliver a small service, which was focused on trialling additional support to people who were being discharged from Community Mental Health Teams. We knew from a piece of consultation carried out the previous year that some people were struggling with being left without help and therefore we built a service that focused on listening, and building trusting relationships – ensuring that we worked collaboratively to identify goals and connect people with services within their community.
By April 2021 the referrals were coming in with really positive feedback. We were finding that it really was the small stuff that makes a difference. Such as giving someone a lift......
“I supported someone called Harry. Harry lives with bad anxiety and depression, very low self-esteem and low-self- confidence. He really struggles to leave his flat but has a keen desire to ‘do something with his life.’ He had tried
a couple of anxiety groups in the past but was worried about attending them on his own and feeling like he wouldn’t be understood. I told him about the Manchester Mind allotment and the groups they run there. I explained that they’re run by people who understand mental health and who operate a safe, non-judgemental space. Harry liked the idea of this but was ‘frightened’ of going on his own. I offered to take him there for the first session so he could ease himself into it and not worry about the journey. He was surprised that I’d be able to do this and was keen to take me up on the offer.
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