Groundbreaking programme is proving to be life changing for adults who face barriers to employment in York.

RISE (Reducing Inequalities, Supporting Employment) is a support programme that offers one-to-one advice and employability support, empowering those involved to overcome both personal and professional challenges.

These include:

• unemployment
• mental health issues
• physical health challenges
• autism and neurodivergence
• financial struggles
• domestic abuse
• housing instability
• basic skills and training needs
• inclusion and diversity concerns
• support for self-employment and carers and people in care

Funded by City of York Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, so far this programme has helped 65 people from various backgrounds boost their confidence so they can go to work.

RISE is one of 25 projects taking place in the city, using UK Shared Prosperity Fund money. City of York Council has invested 98% of its UKSPF allocation so far (£1.8 million) to fund initiatives that range from business support, supporting the voluntary sector to helping boost skills and help people into work as well as invest in our high streets.

The average amount of time each individual gets support for is 11 weeks, with every person giving the programme 5 out of 5. The project has proven so successful that the council, using UK Shared Prosperity Funding has agreed to extend the programme for another year.

63% of those the programme has supported so far disclosed themselves as a disabled person or had a work-limiting condition. 54% lived in jobless households and 23% had dependents at home.

The programme combines emotional support with practical employability guidance. The programme has successfully helped participants like Michael, a 30-year-old who, prior to joining RISE, struggled with social anxiety and unemployment:

I was scared to go outside and even look at people.

With 67% of participants disclosing a mental health condition, RISE’s success in addressing such challenges and fostering emotional well-being is evident in Michael’s story.

Ben, Michael’s mentor, played a pivotal role in building trust and fostering Michael’s emotional well-being. Michael highlights:

Ben was warm, kind, and understanding – that made it really easy to be open and reveal my honest thoughts, struggles, and history. After establishing that trust, my emotional well-being was on the rise, which made the prospect of work/employment very attainable.

“Ben has taught me to think in a way that when I do fall in a hole, I have the knowledge and tools to get back up.”

In addition to emotional support, RISE provides much needed employment support, helping individuals set short-term and long-term career goals, as well as creating effective CVs that enhance employment prospects. Michael reflects on his progress:

Having these goals and something to aim for really puts weight and meaning to the centre of my life and has acted as a springboard to my mental wellbeing.

Another person to benefit from the programme is Kate who reached out to RISE after deciding to become a dental health nurse. Her mentor has been helping her get the necessary functional skills as well as providing CV feedback.

ck or closer to employment.”

Domestic abuse in York – new plan published

Far too many lives are impacted by the devastating effects of domestic abuse – an estimated 32,500 adult victims alone in York and North Yorkshire.

A new strategy has been adopted by City of York Council (CYC) with a clear message that we will not tolerate domestic abuse within our region.

The strategy will help provide crucial support to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, along with work to reduce risk from perpetrators.

The adoption of the strategy and its key priorities and commitments means there is a ‘whole system approach’ providing multi-agency support across the region including CYC, as well as North Yorkshire Council, the Office of Fire, Police and Crime Commissioner and North Yorkshire Police.

Multi-agency working will be embedded into approaches to responding to domestic abuse and should offer a range of interventions and support, from early intervention to support for high-risk cases through formalised safeguarding arrangements.

This includes a focus on prevention, so improving understanding of healthy relationships and raising awareness of what constitutes domestic abuse, so it goes further than just supporting those already experiencing domestic abuse.

You can view the strategy here

The council has adopted a public health approach to tackling domestic abuse, and the aims and objectives of this strategy will reduce health inequalities and contribute to creating more positive conditions for health in York.

Get help and support on Domestic Abuse here 

In an emergency, if someone is in immediate danger or your safety is threatened, call North Yorkshire Police on 999.

Local Independent Domestic Abuse Services

Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) provide support and advice to men and women across York and North Yorkshire.

IDAS Helpline: 03000 110 110.

Live is chat is also available via the IDAS website.

Foundation +Choices

Our service offer a perpetrator behaviour change program. This service aims to promote positive behaviour change among those who harm and is provided by Foundation.

Foundation +Choices Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline service operates a 24-hour free phone line and a live chat.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

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York Council launches appeal for foster carers for York children and young people

City of York Council is launching a new campaign this new year to recruit foster carers to support children and young people who can’t live with their own families.

The council cares for around 200 children and young people in York and urgently needs local foster carers to provide them with safe, loving homes. It’s hoping to build on the community support seen during the covid pandemic, as well as the city’s support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Anyone over the age of 21 can foster, whether they own their own home or not; work full-time, part time or not at all or whether they’re single or in a relationship. The council welcomes foster carers of any sexuality, from any religious, ethnic or cultural background.

All the council’s foster carers are offered regular training and support, together with a competitive package of allowances which enable foster carers to receive up to £25,000 per annum.

Fostering:

• is immensely rewarding and challenging
• allows people to use their existing skills with children and young people
• is flexible and home-based
• allows someone to receive an allowance of up to £25,000 per year with additional tax allowances
• offers fantastic training and support

For more information about fostering for York visit www.york.gov.uk/fostering  email foster4york@york.gov.uk or call 01904 555678.

York launches mental wellbeing hub for local businesses

York employers and their staff can now access a free online resource hub to help create mentally healthy workplaces.

Thanks to funding support from City of York Council, mental health charity York Mind has launched the Knowledge Hub, a password-accessible website which will contain guidance tailored to different sizes and types of organisations, as well as a wide range of resources including short videos, webinars and blog posts. The Knowledge Hub is York-specific, signposting a range of local help and resources available to organisations and their employees.

Once signed up to the Hub, business leaders will be able to access free leadership-specific content and advice, including step-by-step guidance on creating and implementing a mental health strategy for their organisations, as well as dynamic content to maximise employee engagement. Staff members will also have access to the platform, where they will find resources to help them look after their own mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and beyond.

Users will be able to access the Knowledge Hub free of charge for an initial period of six months from their sign-up date. After six months of use, the Hub will become a paid service and users will have the choice whether to unsubscribe or pay for continued access.

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Event to help businesses access mental health support

City of York Council is inviting members of the city’s business community to a free mental health and wellbeing event on Tuesday 31 January, from 4 – 5 pm.

Participants will learn about the free support available to support their workforce or themselves as business owners. The event will be held at the council’s West Offices and will be a hybrid session, meaning attendees will have the option to join virtually using an online link. 

Statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 822,000 workers in the UK suffered from stress, depression, and anxiety across 2020 and 2021, and the economic pressures of recent years are expected to have taken an additional toll on business owners and their staff. With over 95% of York’s businesses classified as micro or small-to-medium firms, where these pressures are likely to be more acutely felt, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the city’s business community is an important part of the council’s economic strategy.

Chaired by the Director of Public Health for York, the event will highlight ways in which businesses in the city can access free support and coaching.  Following short talks from Cllr Ashley Mason and Andy Knowles, founder of Assetiam Business Support Services and volunteer at Menfulness, on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, businesses will have the chance to hear from York Mind, the HSE, York St John Communities Centre and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) detailing the support they offer. Participants will then be invited to ask questions as part of a Q&A session with the speakers. 

The event will also launch two projects facilitated by the council alongside local partners. Using funding provided by the council’s Inclusive Growth Fund, York St. John Communities Centre will deliver a free coaching programme to equip local businesses with the skills they need to promote and maintain positive mental health among owners and employees alike. Additionally, York Mind will be delivering training and establishing a resource hub for businesses to use. More details about the free offers will be announced at the event. 

This event forms part of one of eight projects to support inclusive economic growth in the city. Delivering on the commitment to support mental health and wellbeing in the local business community, the council has previously worked with York St John University to produce the ‘Building Business Resilience’ research report in 2021, and regularly promotes free support services through its weekly business bulletin.

Councillor Ashley Mason, Executive member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said:

Working in the business sector can be emotionally and mentally challenging, and the current economic climate undoubtedly presents additional pressures to many.

“Supporting mental health and wellbeing within the local business community is a key aspect of our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive economy, and this event will highlight the importance of mental health to achieving that aim. We’re delighted to be joined for this event by representatives from the council’s Public Health team, as well as speakers from partner organisations York Mind, Menfulness, York St John University, the FSB and the HSE. 

“I would encourage local business representatives to attend the event to hear about the support and resources that are available. We hope it will help business owners to feel more confident supporting their employees and their own mental health as they encounter the challenges of this new year.”

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New mental health hub to open in York

Inspired by a model being successfully run in the northern Italian city of Trieste, a community mental health hub is opening.

The trial hub will be part of York Mental Health Partnership’s progressive vision of support for adults across the city.

If successful, this pilot will change the way we support people across the city to access mental health services.

From Monday 24 October at 30 Clarence Street, the current hub will open for all as usual with listening ear and signposting services. Alongside this regular service, a small group of identified service users and staff only, will use the hub differently for a three-month trial.

The hub has been co-designed by members of the Connecting Our City project and has involved community-based workshops with a partnership of people with lived experience of mental health issues, their families, and professionals from a range of partner organisations. These organisations include York Mind, York CVS, York Carers Centre, Primary Care, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), and teams from across the council including Local Area Coordinators and Social Workers.

For the members of the pilot scheme only, there will be a new multi-agency team based at the hub which can offer and provide interventions and support as appropriate. They will include social prescribers, peer support and social workers, as well as clinicians from mental health services to offer flexible, responsive, and accessible support.

Feedback from pilot participants on their experience, ease of service and outcomes will help refine and shape future delivery options for the mental health hub, ensuring we are offering the right service at the right time. The Innovation Unit is also involved in supporting the analysis of the model and will use evidence-based data to further support delivery.

Stacey Hemphill from Innovation Unit, said:

This is such an exciting opportunity for York. The new hub has been created after bringing together the professionals from many services and the people who experience mental health issues to make sure the service really meets local needs.

“Innovation Unit has been working with cities and towns up and down the country to set up new ways of helping people who experience mental health issues. We’ll be working hard to make sure this hub paves the way for more spaces to help people across York.”

Dr Roberto Mezzina, former Director of Mental Health Department and WHO Collaborating Centre, Trieste, and who is working with Connecting Our City, said:

The hub is an interesting project to facilitate easy access to services, experiment with co-production and community involvement, and foster service integration and coordination. This has the potential to promote a deeper system transformation, which is the overall aim for mental health services in York.” 

Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:

Realising the ambition of the York Mental Health Partnership to open this prototype is an exciting step. It’s in keeping with the city’s progressive approach to treating and supporting people with mental health illnesses since the 1770s, and I’m delighted to see that important tradition continuing.

“People with lived experience are making a crucial and valued contribution to this prototype hub, in terms of co-designing, testing and analysing it. I welcome their and our partners’ involvement, and I look forward to hearing the feedback on how this prototype hub performs and on the proposed refinements.”

While the trial is running, regular drop-in services at 30 Clarence Street will continue with face-to-face support. In the evenings and weekends at 30 Clarence Street, face-to-face and virtual sessions will run from 6pm – 10pm and at weekends 2 – 10pm.

This evening and weekend support will continue to be commissioned by Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership from Mental Health Matters and residents who want to access online or telephone out of hours support can call (07483 141 310) or email haven.mhm@nhs.net.

York Council tackles loneliness in Mental Health Awareness Week

As part of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May), the Council is supporting initiatives to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Groups and organisations in the city are being invited to apply for funding of up to £5,000 to support projects to help reduce loneliness and isolation. Organisations can submit their applications before the 20 May to help isolated people connect with their communities through cultural activities, employment and learning opportunities. The funding can be used to cover project costs and can be applied for though the Cultural Wellbeing Grants 2022 (makeityork.com). The successful applications will feature in a new project to combat loneliness across the city, which is set to be announced later this summer.

HomeShare scheme is another initiative to help tackle loneliness, which gives older adults support and companionship in their own home. HomeShare carefully matches an older homeowner with a younger person to live in their spare room and to provide 10 hours of support per week in exchange for accommodation. Find out more at www.york.gov.uk/HomeshareYork or email homeshareyork@york.gov.uk.

Our Feel Real York campaign is encouraging residents to have open conversations about mental health, which can help address the feelings loneliness or isolation can create. As part of the campaign, resources have been collected from a range of experts at Live Well York. It includes support from the NHS and national campaigns such as Time to Change, as well as tailored resources for York including the Tees, Esk and Weir valley Foundation Trusts, York and Selby IAPT and Recovery College Online.

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Residents with experience of mental illness invited to co-produce new service in the New Year

In January 2022, residents will be invited to share their experiences and views on mental health services in the city, in order to help shape a new hub as part of a visionary city-wide project.

The Connecting Our City project aims to enable and support people with mental health illnesses to live well in the city, supported by a range of community-based initiatives.

The latest of these initiatives is to develop a mental health hub to provide residents needing support with access to a multi-disciplinary team. To create this hub effectively, the input of people who have lived experience of mental ill health, their families and carers is central to the planning, as is the support of York’s voluntary and community sector.

The development of the hub is just one of the many approaches being taken as part of the national Community Mental Health Transformation Programme. It aims to improve how people access mental health and support locally, it helps bring partner agencies together and provides a central point for people to access help and support.

This hub will have a particular focus on improving access and treatment for adults with a diagnosis of personality disorders, eating disorders and those in need of mental health rehabilitation. Residents with experience of accessing mental health support In York will be invited to share their thoughts and to get involved in these exciting developments.

York’s new co-production champion will invite contributors to drop in to sessions in the city, and ensure that their voices, and those of their families and carers, are at the core of all the work to improve support in the city.

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Time to Talk Day 2021

 

A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference, say city emotional wellbeing experts ahead of Time to Talk Day on 4 February 2021.

Research shows that the more conversations people have, the more myths can be bust and the more barriers can broken down, helping to end the isolation and shame and that too many people feel about mental health problems.

Time to Talk Day is when we’re all being encouraged to talk about mental health. This year’s event might look a little different, but at times like this open conversations about mental health are more important than ever.

This year’s focus is on the power of small, because however you have a conversation about mental health – whether it’s a quick text to a friend, a virtual coffee morning with colleagues, or a socially distanced walk and talk with your family – it has the power to make a big difference.

Here are some tips on how to start a conversation and help someone simply by listening and acknowledging what they’re going through.

An open ear reduces fear

Listening is often more important than talking. You don’t have to have all the answers – just listening can make a big difference. Show  you’re taking on board what they’re saying. You can do this saying something simple like “that sounds really difficult”.

2. Be a friend, don’t mend

You don’t have to fix it, just being there will mean a lot. It can be difficult to open, especially if you think the person you’re with won’t understand. Remember what they’re going through is real to them, so be the supportive friend you’ve always been.

3. It’s easy to say “that sounds tough”

Show you care and take on board what they’re saying. It’s OK to ask questions like “What kind of thoughts are you having?”, “How can I help?” Just try not to minimise what someone’s going through.

Emma Williams from Time to Change York, said: “We need your help to start the conversation this Time to Talk Day – together we can end mental health stigma. Find out more at www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day.”

Cl(opens in a new tab)lr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said: “I’m delighted to see this campaign which builds on Time To Change’s ‘Ask Twice’ campaign. Simply reaching out to someone and asking how they are – how they really are – and listening to them, can make people feel so much better.

There is a range of tips and resources for better emotional wellbeing at www.livewellyork.co.uk/feelrealyork .

Coronavirus York Updates: 18th April 2020

Helpline

 If anyone is struggling financially, or cannot access the internet to order food, please contact the Council on 01904 551550 or email covid19help@york.gov.uk. This telephone line is open daily, including at the weekend when it’s open 8.30am – 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday.

Explore update re free magazine and newspaper access

Press Reader – the app giving free access to thousands of newspapers and magazines – is now live and free to access for anyone with an Explore library card. Explore was able to buy a subscription to Press Reader with part of the grant awarded last week by City of York council from the Covid-19 general support grant.  The latest information is available at https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/digital/e-magazines/

 Every Mind Matters

 With data showing over 4 in 5 adults are worried about the effect that coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on their life right now, with over half saying it affected their wellbeing and nearly half reporting high levels of anxiety Public Health England are reminding people to take steps to look after their mental health during this challenging period for everyone.

 Their Every Mind Matters website includes new NHS expert tips and advice on looking after mental wellbeing and supporting your family and loved ones during this time.

 Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have narrated a powerful new film in support of campaign and to encourage people to look after their mental and physical wellbeing.

 The Every Mind Matters campaign will be supported through social media, digital, national TV and partner support activity, helping to reach the audiences most at-risk of poor mental health  link to the video.

 Business update

5,500 York businesses have now benefitted from over £100m of grants and relief as City of York Council continues to support businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak.  A specialist team have worked round the clock to ensure businesses get the government grants and business rates relief as quickly as possible, whilst carrying out rigorous checks to make sure that fraudsters cannot take advantage of the situation.

The £100m is made up of two main funding sources, business rates relief which accounts for £66m and a further £34m in business grants paid out to over 2500 accounts. We are working through the remaining payments as quickly as possible.

Community support- food update

A city-wide operation encompassing York’s foodbank, the Council’s community hubs, community meal providers and local food businesses are helping ensure people get the food they need.

To service the council’s community hubs with food, the Council has created a central depot with volunteer drivers and vehicles to transport goods to the hubs. There, food boxes are put together and delivered to people identified through the Council’s dedicated support line.

From making phone calls to thousands of residents, the volunteers in the hubs are building a picture of the amount of food needed and how urgently, meeting special dietary needs and adding to the Government-supplied food.

The council’s support line is also helping people who can afford to buy their shopping but can’t get a delivery slot, or who people who can’t order online.

An interim list of businesses offering doorstep deliveries has been published.

It can be downloaded from this link https://www.dropbox.com/s/pjyqazimgft8cbk/Coronavirus%20Food%20Leaflet%2017%20April.pdf?dl=0

NHS services

 Colleagues at the Vale of York CCG have issued an important message reminding patients that the NHS is still available for non Covid-19 related illnesses amid concerns patients may be putting off using NHS services for illnesses not related to coronavirus (Covid-19).

GP services, pharmacies, NHS 111, out-of-hours services and emergency departments are all still available to patients should they be needed.

For more information please see their press release https://www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/ccg-reminds-patients-that-the-nhs-is-still-available-for-non-covid-19-related-illnesses/

 Leaflets

The Council says that in the coming days and weeks residents will be getting information delivered to them:

• A leaflet promoting how to be a volunteer and what to do if you need help together with a leaflet promoting health information with a letter thanking the city for its resolve and containing important health information for people to keep is currently being delivered

• A special copy of Our City magazine, bringing together information about resident support and council services in one place will be delivered w/c 20 April

• A leaflet sharing the names and contact details of local independent food suppliers who can deliver or arrange collection

• A booklet providing more information to support your wellbeing over this extended lockdown.