Jon, from Bradford, was a vulnerable young man. Brought up by two alcoholic parents and the victim of sexual abuse as a child. Jon started drinking when he was 14, by 22 he became alcohol dependent. Jon moved into Impact in 2004 and was assigned a support worker. He was doing so well; he'd started a traineeship with our maintenance team. He was achieving goals, finding new friends and addressing his alcoholism, receiving psychiatric help. After move on, Jon experienced a relationship breakdown. He turned to alcohol dependency again. One day, he was a target of Hate Crime and was beaten up badly. This impacted Jon's mental health immensely. Jon went to his parents house and in a desperate state of mind, he poured paint thinner over his head and set himself on fire. He'd received over 30% burns to his body and sadly doctors were not able to help, 4 days later he passed away.

Jon's story demonstrates the importance of getting the right support required during a time of relapse or crisis, which is why we we would like to recruit a Support Needs Assessor-Evaluator.

Our aim is to enhance our existing support programme to offer an in-house, mental health Needs Assessment and Therapies Evaluation Service (NATE) to address the complex needs of our beneficiaries in a holistic and integrated way, while supporting them to gradually work towards achieving greater independence.

A Support Needs Assessor-Evaluator will be able to demonstrate responsibility for providing assessments as well as proposing, co-ordinating, and evaluating creative interventions to meet the support needs of clients.

They will have an interest and experience of specialised practice, e.g. working with people living within the community, who have received a diagnosis of personality disorders, childhood trauma and or addictions (including dual diagnosis). They would particularly value experience in additional specialised assessment and therapy approaches such as, Speech and Language, MBT, CAT, CBT or other therapeutic approaches and experience in the assessment and treatment of relational trauma.

The project will initially take place over a two-year period, with a view to extending the service following review, evaluation and evidence of the benefits.

The purpose of the project will be to fully assess our current beneficiaries and all new referrals, assessing any risks and identifying all support, therapy and care needs. Following detailed consultations with each individual, a comprehensive mental health and support assessment will be provided, proposing, coordinating and evaluating interventions and a therapy schedule to best meet each individuals needs in a holistic and integrated way.

Beneficiaries will be referred to a newly developed in-house Creative Therapies Programme. This will be led by an experienced Arts Psychotherapist who will provide one-to-one support sessions, weekly peer workshops and virtual and other exhibitions to showcase art and raise awareness. This will work in combination with other health and wellbeing activities and tailored therapy strategies for those experiencing difficulties in communication, identifying and addressing any underlying difficulties, using therapy/support strategies to improve communication skills, as well as skills in self-advocacy, self-confidence and ability to make and maintain healthy relationships.

The project will take a holistic approach, treating the whole person with all conditions in mind, knowing that there are often linked to each other. The focus will be on supporting their recovery and building resilience, not just on treating and managing the symptoms, but looking beyond their condition to support them to set and achieve personal goals, regain control and work towards building a meaningful and satisfying life.

The project will also offer practical help tailored to support each beneficiary to address other aspects of their life. This will incorporate practical housing and independent living based support, on-site training and support to promote financial inclusion, as well as offering volunteering, training and work experience opportunities though the charity and in the local community.

The project aims to achieve the following outputs:

Provide safe and quality housing, with an integrated therapy and support programme for approximately 120 individuals over a two year period.

Provide early intervention and prevention of mental health crisis or behaviour that challenges, resulting in reduction of hospital admissions and/or emergency service call outs, particularly due to self-harm.

Reduce the wait times for those experiencing crisis who need urgent assessment, intervention and treatment for underlying mental health conditions or substance addiction.

Ensure beneficiaries receive immediate and robust assessment when they enter the project/accommodation, and that any significant support needs are identified as soon as possible and incorporated into their therapies support and care plan.

Help beneficiaries to improve their ability to cope with and manage their emotional, mental and behavioural difficulties, supporting their recovery through creative and talking therapies.

Help aid recovery for those who have addictions, supporting them to make positive choices and gradually work towards reducing alcohol/substance intake.

Where communication difficulties are identified, provide therapy and support strategies to improve beneficiaries communication skills and develop skills in self advocacy.

Help beneficiaries to gradually work towards achieving improved confidence and self-esteem, as well as improvements in other areas of their lives, i.e. trust, positive relationship building, social life etc.

Help beneficiaries to develop the skills needed to achieve a safe and habitable living environment, gradually working towards achieving independent living.

Monitor, evaluate and evidence the benefits of creative therapy interventions in assessing and treating mental health issues, behaviour that challenges and addiction.

We work closely with NHS Trusts, drug and alcohol workers, psychiatrists, mental health specialists, Care Coordinators and GPs. Our aim is not to duplicate the work of others, but to provide a coordinated, multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to deliver the best possible service while helping to relieve the current strain on local mental health teams. We particularly support those who have found it difficult accessing mainstream health services, have slipped through the net and have not been able to get the right mental health care needed through other means.

Our current shortfall for the project is £53,297 in year one and £55,962 in year two.

We would be extremely grateful for any donation or support you are able to provide toward this project.