DIY Futures Progress

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Published On: Wednesday 10 December 2008

PMHA having had their application for DIY Futures accepted by the Big Lottery have now successfully completed the next stage.

A Business Plan was produced, endorsed by the Partners, and submitted to the Big Lottery on time. In submitting the Business Plan there has been a small change to the partnership who will be taking the project forward over the next four years. Ystradgynlais Mind made a decision to withdraw from the partnership, due to internal capacity issues, and we have been extremely fortunate to have A4E take their place. A4E, who have the contract for Pathways to Work will bring an extra dimension to the project, particularly in Ystradgynlais, but also across the County as a whole. Ystradgynlais Mind will remain a key stakeholder to the project and we also look forward to working closely with them over the duration of the project.

The next stage in the build up to starting the project is to carry out a survey within the Day Services on the current understanding of ‘recovery’. This will be repeated at the halfway stage, and again at the end, of the project. PMHA through the Steering Group, that will underpin the work of the project, have also begun to think about the recruitment of the five Co-ordinators. The advertisements will be out in early January 2009 and it is hoped to have people in post in March 2009.

A significant part of the first year of the project will be given over to training for the Co-ordinators and this will provide a training opportunity to people working in different organisations and sectors across Powys. People who have their own lived experience of mental distress will also have access to the training opportunities.

Derek Turner

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