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Listen
Preventing Suicide and Deliberate Self Harm
Laying the Foundations: Identifying Practice Examples
Project Report
15. Health Promotion, Borders Primary Care NHS Trust
Target Group
Different age groups and local communities are targeted.
Issues
The services help people by improving confidence and well-being.
Services/approach
Work is undertaken through a variety of different projects and services: Schools Work; The Burnfoot Health Project; The GP Exercise Referral Scheme; Guid Fettle; The Mental Health Promotion Group; and, Caring for Ourselves.
Schools Work
There has been agreement between Borders Primary Care NHS Trust and Borders Council that the emotional well-being of pupils should be the main focus of the health education curriculum and ethos in schools. Two New Community Schools, in Eyemouth and Burnfoot, Hawick, are leading in this. The Breakfast Club in Burnfoot is making a positive impact on the behaviour of pupils. 'Twilight' exercise classes in Eyemouth are offering girls the chance to work on body image and self-esteem.
A strategic position paper had been agreed between NHS Borders and the Education Department but things have come to a standstill with the current financial crisis in the Education Department.
The Burnfoot Health Project
The Project is a community development initiative in one of Borders most deprived areas. The activities provided promote participation by the community, and local people take a part in deciding what's on at the project. Topics requested by the community include: cooking skills, weight control, life skills, a men's health group, social support, and aromatherapy. The steering group for the Project comprises of local people. The Project helps people feel valued, feel secure, develop self esteem and have a sense of control over their lives. It can help people cope before a crisis gets worse.
The GP Exercise Referral Scheme
This gives people subsidised personal exercise programmes in leisure centres throughout the Borders. Many users say this improves their mental health. Some people with minor mental health problems have used the scheme. Again, it is about people feeling good about themselves, gaining self-confidence, and improving personal well-being.
Guid Fettle
The Guid Fettle health and exercise classes for the 50+ age group promote mental and social as well as physical health. The core content is exercise suitable for the age group and other topics are chosen by the participants. These have included relaxation, aromatherapy and benefit advice. In evaluation, improvement in well-being has frequently been reported.
The Mental Health Promotion Group
This is a sub-group of the Joint Commissioning Team for Mental Health Services. It has agreed to focus on mental health in primary care, providing early interventions for people with minor mental health problems. This is based on the recent HEBS research, showing the gap in service provision for this group. A proposal for a pilot is currently being worked on by Health Promotion, public health, the voluntary sector and the LHCCs.
Caring for Ourselves
This is a course for NHS Borders staff helping to deal with stress. This has evaluated positively.
Key features
For further information, contact:
Kenny Richardson, Area Health Promotion Manager
Borders Primary Care NHS Trust
Health Promotion Department
Tweed Horizons
Newtown St Boswells, TD6 0SG
Tel 01835 824485
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