Job creation through income generation: an evaluation of Re-Cover, a decorating project developed with forensic mental health service users
| Pages | 148-156 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-11-2017-0062 |
| Published date | 14 May 2018 |
| Date | 14 May 2018 |
| Author | Sarah McDonald,Mark Bertram |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Mental health education |
Job creation through income generation:
an evaluation of Re-Cover, a decorating
project developed with forensic mental
health service users
Sarah McDonald and Mark Bertram
Abstract
Purpose –Thepurpose of this paperis to explore and describethe effectiveness,achievementsand challenges
of a job creation project that was developedwith people in contact with forensic mental health services.
Design/methodology/approach –This evaluation (case study) used a mixed methods approach: a range
of quantitative and qualitative data were gathered, analysed and interpreted.
Findings –There were economic and health benefits. The income generation was sufficient to fund a large
chunk of the projects operating costs. Service users reported improvements in mental health, wellbeing,
confidence, skill development and earning capacity.
Research limitations/implications –The sample size was too small to be generalised and no validated
measures were used. Further research is required into the long-term benefits of job creation in mental health
services and providing a continuum of employment support.
Practical implications –A range of commercial activity can form the basis for job creation and work
training projects in mental health services. Substantial operating costs can be generated, to re-invest in job
creation/enterprises.
Social implications –Social value can be enhanced within NHS public sector procurement procedures.
Agreement between a range of internal NHS departments is necessary: finance, commercial, estates and
facilities, and procurement.
Originality/value –Public sector procurement has the potential to act as a catalyst to support theinclusion
agenda by funding commercial activity that job creation projects can undertake.
Keywords Employment, Job creation, Forensic mental health services, Public sector procurement,
Vocational services, Work training
Paper type Case study
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to continue to share our learning in the vocational field. Re-Cover is a
supported employment project. It offers vocational training and part time paid work in painting
and decorating. It works with people who use forensic mental health services and generates
income from commercial activity that mainly takes place in large NHS buildings. As well as
providing paid work, the project actively supports service users with their vocational aspirations,
through one-to-one meetings with the project manager, who is an experienced occupational
therapist (OT). We undertook a service evaluation to explore the effectiveness, achievements and
challenges of the Re-Cover painting and decorating work training project.
Context
Over the last eight years we have developed a vocational service that forms part of a large inner
city NHS Mental Health Trust. Our projects and partnerships include: user-run information and
Received 16 November 2017
Revised 8 January 2018
Accepted 3 March 2018
The authors would like to thank
the members of the Re-Cover
decorating project for all the hard
work and sharing what it was like.
The authors also like to thank
Jane Loewenthal,Project Manager.
Sarah McDonald is based at
the Department of Vocational
Services, South London and
Maudsley NHS Foundation
Trust, London, UK.
Mark Bertram is a Service
Manager at the Department of
Vocational Services, South
London and Maudsley NHS
Foundation Trust, London, UK.
PAGE148
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THE JOURNAL OF MENTALHEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
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VOL. 13 NO. 3 2018, pp.148-156, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228 DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-11-2017-0062
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