Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

30 One of SUMMIT’s successful projects, funded by the Big Lottery, has enabled the introduction of a new and innovative service for people in the Tendring area. The successful lottery bid enabled SUMMIT to deliver a wide range of structured sessions, aimed at improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and learning disabilities. Summit also provides duty advocacy, which assists clients with a wide range of issues. The Reaching Out service is very popular and ensures that the most isolated receive a service from SUMMIT, so they also can begin to take those small steps towards inclusion. The WRAP Project (Wellness, Recovery Action Participation), enabling people to access their GP, groups and counselling, was initially a pilot funded from IBCF grant. Due to its success and proven impact, further funding has been secured to develop this innovative project. Staff and volunteers are patient and skilful listeners and will help to get an individual’s voice heard. Their approach is empowering, never limiting anyone’s ambition. 7.2.4 There is a wide variety of activities and support sessions available across Tendring, unsurprisingly, most are located in towns or areas of known deprivation. For example, the Clacton Coastal Academy/ Community Centre hosts a diverse range and groups such as the STAR group offering support and developing coping strategies following loss alongside other bereavement and support groups. There are groups in support of young families, foster carers and social clubs offering low cost breakfast and games tournaments. There is also a weekly meeting of the WREG (Women's Recovery Empowerment Group) to support survivors of abuse. Not far away in Jaywick Sands the Community Resource Centre also runs a wide variety of support and social groups for adults, young people and families. Older people enjoy weekly activities such as the lunch clubs and Knit and Natter sessions. There is very little mental health support available in the Harwich area where, anecdotally, there are considerable challenges. The Salvation Army offers support and advice but there is little structured, community-based support available to enable people to feel included in local life and to build their self-worth and motivation. Home Start Harwich offers support to parents to strengthen their emotional wellbeing. 7.2.5 Whilst Tendring does enjoy many varied activities for adults, these again tend to be clustered in pockets. Stakeholders feel that activities are not necessarily accessible or affordable to all the vulnerable groups or those who might wish to use them due to the usual variety of factors such as proximity, cost or awareness. Citizens Advice Tendring (CAT) have set up a charity shop which acts as a hub to the main advice centre for people who may be suffering from anxiety or other mental health problem. Instead of queuing at the main office drop in centre for advice they can book an appointment at the hub and be seen without waiting in a quieter more relaxed environment. People recovering from mental health are also encouraged to work in the shop as a volunteer, supported by trained staff to help them back into a working routine ahead of them taking their next step back into employment or other roles they may previously have found very stressful. The service is well regarded and supported by the Essex Public Health Team and the Clinical Commissioning Group.