Showcase 1 - Be Active, Stay Active Project
Mental Health Service patients’ concerns provided the original inspiration for The ‘Be Active Stay Active’ [BASA] Project, based in Clackmannanshire.
Founded in 2003 by two of NHS Forth Valley’s insightful Allied Health Professionals, BASA established that Service Users’ individual strengths & skills remained largely ignored. The realisation gradually dawned that the NHS must shift its approach if it was ever likely to facilitate Service Users’ sustainable recovery.
BASA gained recognition in 2004 by achieving an Allied Health Innovation award. The project actively engages with people from all walks of life made vulnerable by mental ill health. Careful encouragement in a variety of sociable activities e.g. walking, aerobics exercise, horticulture, nutrition & cooking skills, shows confidence can be regained and a real sense of wellbeing restored.
At BASA’s heart is its partnership working between Members and Facilitators, who currently comprise an Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, Physiotherapists from NHS Forth Valley, and Recreational Facility Co-ordinator from Falkirk College. Ongoing development of team working skills combines to build capacity and sustainability for the project whilst, crucially, boosting the likelihood of sustainable recovery for its Members.
Preparing ‘The BASA Story’ for presentation at the 2005 Mental Health Promotion Conference in Dublin revealed that much learning had already taken place in achieving the cheerfully optimistic and productive atmosphere of partnership working. Indeed, BASA was filmed in May 2006 by the Open University to feature in a forthcoming 2007 coursework as an outstanding example of good practice in the Community!
In short, BASA’s guiding principles aim to facilitate sustainable recovery by satisfying a few basic human needs:
- Don’t Worry: Feel safe and secure.
- People Love People: Connect with like-minded people and the wider Community.
- Have a Purpose: Adopt worthwhile roles in life.
- Have Fun: Enjoy meaningful activities.