Measure 16 Co-operation & Supply Chain Development Scheme
This pilot will be measured in the following way:
Strategic Welsh Government Objectives
How does it contribute to the cross-cutting themes of:
Equal opportunities and gender mainstreaming – The pilot recognises that the debilitating effects of mental health make sufferers less able to present their underlying strengths to a potential employer and deters them from opening themselves to new training and self development opportunities. This affects both women and men in equal measure. The pilot aims to improve self confidence and enable sufferers to manage their condition more effectively. It also provides a safe socialising and team working environment which improves self esteem and effective communication whilst performing wood management and psychotherapy activities. All under carefully supervised conditions.
Sustainable development – The pilot aims to release participants back into their daily lives in a meaningful, purposeful and sustainable way with back up telephone/internet support provision 24/7 from trained personnel if the participant has a relapse. This provision will also include the opportunity of returning for extended counselling using cognitive behavioural therapy. This will reinforce the participant’s confidence and recovery.
Tackling poverty and social exclusion – The pilot will contribute in reducing the stigma of mental health and by also reducing the sense of isolation commonly found in this special needs group. Such isolation can cause a reduced earning capacity, increased impoverishment and a sense of worthlessness.
2. How does it contribute to the four cross-cutting strategic themes of the “Taking Wales Forward 2016-21 Programme” which includes being:
Prosperous and Secure
- The pilot will provide three year part time employment to a team of wood management trainers, psychotherapists and mentors from the Welsh region.
- It will also help develop its participants towards greater secure employability in the future using their newfound woodland skills and confidence
- Healthy and Active – The pilot will provide a programme of woodland and psychotherapy activities which promote physical fitness and mental health for its participants
- United and Connected –
- The woodland and workshop activities will produce a range of timber products and craft items which will highlight the “Made in Wales“ origin of the items.
- The products will promote the rich cultural heritage of the skills involved and the areas historical connections to medieval and industrial revolution roots.
- The timber products will be sold locally using Welsh language descriptive sales tags
- The pilot will deepen the covenant between the community and its military veterans and emergency service personnel creating greater understanding of the issues involved and community inclusion
- Ambitious and Learning
- The pilot will promote an ethos of self development and improvement in those attending through skills training, team work and mental health management
3. How does it contribute to the “Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan 2016-19” priority area 8 and 9 concerning veteran support and improving general access to life chances, training and employment.
- The pilot will provide timely and progressive techniques in mental health management for veterans and emergency service personnel
- The programme will better enable participants to make full use of their renewed health and well being to access future training, employment and life chances in general.
Co-operation Scheme Specific Programme Indicators
- How many pilot projects and incorporated sub operations are being supported?
- This pilot project involves one main overarching entity focussed on the recovery of selected participants suffering mental health conditions using a woodland based commercial timber and craft production centre. Under this umbrella are several separate operational elements:
- A referral system from supplying organisations which include Gwent Police, Gwent emergency service providers, Gwent veterans associations and the Gwent Health Board
- An initial participant needs assessment and bespoke recovery plan for each individual
- Programme activities involving two distinct but interdependent parts; woodland management skills and psychotherapy activities
- A continuous appraisal system of participant progression
- A post attendance support structure involving 24/7 telephone emergency contact, extended 1:1 counselling and employment placement.
2. How many new products and processes are being developed and tested?
- All the above operations are new and will be developed and assessed
3. How many linked initiatives are there to the pilot?
- There is one main linked initiative on site and that is the commercial production arm of the pilot which is the subject of the seperately approved Welsh Rural Development Timber Business Investment Scheme (TBIS) (Case number 81506 )
- Participants and woodland management trainers will process and produce a number of timber and craft items for sale in the district as an integral part of the pilot’s activities
Co-operation Scheme Specific Case Level Indicators
The following indicator areas will be monitored and evaluated by the independently appointed consultant body. Provisional targets have been set against each area as described below:
- How many evaluation progress reports will be produced to raise awareness and dissemination of good practice
- In total there will be twelve quarterly progress evaluation reports over the course of the pilot’s three year programme
- The quarterly evaluation will be presented to the strategic “Reference Group” in two ways:
- By written report from the evaluation consultant after gathering and analysing quantitative and qualitative monitoring information
- By verbal presentation of the main summarising points from the consulting team
- By verbal presentation, from the two managing team leaders for clinical and woodland management operations, about the main learning points and any method alterations that need to be made for increased effectiveness
- The intention is to film these quarterly evaluation meetings live and disseminate by way of internet webinar means to key interested parties and agencies across Wales
- How many forestry operations are being supported by the pilot participants
- Woodland thinning and coppicing to process 365 cubic metres of timber into planks, posts and old Hazel for charcoal production
- 225 cubic metres of planks for flooring and cladding at a market value of approximately £82,920
- Charcoal production with eleven kiln burns per year (33 over 3 years). Each burn producing 150 kg per burn valued at £250. £2,500 per year
- Firewood production at an average output of 14 cubic metres per year @ £750
- Craft products output from the workshop with hazel hurdles, bowls, vases, lampshades, chairs and small tables and garden seats. Average of 90 items per year and sales of £3660
- 1600 hazel tree saplings planted
3. How many new permanent jobs (more than a year) have been created by the pilot
- Full time Managing Director
- Contracted part time Woodland & Craft Production skill Instructors (call off list in seven skill areas)
- Contracted part time Psychotherapy practitioners (call off list in seven activity areas)
- Contracted part time monitoring & evaluation manager
- Contracted Part time Participant Assessor and Programme Designer
4. How many participants have attended courses
- 12 short two day courses per year x 6 participants on each = 72 participants per year. 216 participants over 3 years
- Approximately three participants on a psychotherapy day. 39 participants per year. 117 participants over 3 years
5. How many training days have been provided to participants (8 hours period)
- 24 training days per year for woodland skills and craft products x 3 years = 72 days
- 48 training days of psychotherapy activity and CBT Group & 1:1 sessions per year x 3 years = 144 days
6. How many formal new networks have been formed out of the pilot
- Pilot strategic Reference Group
7. How many evaluation studies have been undertaken of new products, processes or target audience markets
- Referral process system
- Eligibility selection criteria
- Initial needs assessment and bespoke support plan
- Evaluation of participant progression indicators
- Evaluation of user group satisfaction levels
- Evaluation of post attendance participant support system
8. How many individual, group or entity stakeholders have been actively involved in the pilot
- Welsh Government Rural Development Department
- Veterans Organisations for Gwent
- Gwent Police
- Gwent Fire & Rescue Service
- Gwent Ambulance Service
- Gwent Health Board
- Lapidus International
- Standing Start Solutions Ltd
- Stewart Hill & Co Ltd
- Lord Lieutenant of Gwent
- Pilot participants
- Pilot managers, instructors and practitioners