Publications

The Star Club Evaluation

Praxis Care recently completed an evaluation of The Star Club in Douglas.  The Star Club is a community organised to help people living with a mental illness to rejoin the worlds of employment, education, family and friends.

The evaluation shows that Star Club provides a programme of varied activities which meet the needs of those members who attend regularly. Members join by a process of self referral, the decision to join is voluntary and membership is non time limited. By the end of 2008, the Club had sixty four members. Thirty six (56%) were female and twenty eight (44%) were male.

To download the full report please click here

To download the summary please click here

CAWT Carers Report – Caring for Individuals with a Learning Disability

This major study into carers in the border region to highlight the impact on both the physical and mental health of carers of people with learning disabilities in the border counties was commissioned by Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) and undertaken by Praxis Care. Funded by European Union monies through the INTERREG IIIA programme, the study has found that 51% of carers in the border region reported that they have a long-standing illness with nearly one quarter reporting that their health is fairly poor. Furthermore, 66% of carers with physical health problems reported that these health problems affected to some extent their capability to care.

Download the full report

Treating Addiction – Tackling Crime

Harristown House Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Centre Evaluation Report

In January 2004, the Praxis Care Research Department secured a tender from the Probation Service to conduct an evaluation of Harristown House, a 12-bed residential facility for men who have come into contact with the criminal justice system as a result of their misuse of alcohol and/or drugs. The research, which was funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, involved extensive interviews with Harristown House clients, local Probation Officers and District Court Judges.

Download the full report

Supported Living for People with Korsakoff Syndrome – Does it Work?

This research paper has documented the progress of 4 individuals diagnosed with korsakoff syndrome, over their first 12 months of living in a specialised supported living unit. Korsakoff syndrome is a type of brain injury which in this instance has been caused by excessive alcohol use. Overall, the report has aimed to provide a realistic insight into the outcomes for Korsakoff individuals who live within a supported living environment.

Download the full report ( PDF )

Download the summary report ( PDF )

HAVING YOUR SAY

Having Your Say is a service user self-advocacy research project which aimed to find out what encouraged and prevented individuals experiencing mental ill-health to speak out more for themselves. Based on the findings of the research, several recommendations were made to further promote service user self-advocacy.

To take these recommendations forward, Praxis obtained funding to implement a 3 year training-research project, called Having Your Say 2.

Please contact mariehanratty@praxiscaregroup.org.uk.org.uk for a copy of Having Your Say

HAVING YOUR SAY 2

The Having Your Say 2 research-training project was carried out to develop and promote self-advocacy skills amongst individuals experiencing mental ill-health. This involved offering training in communication and assertiveness skills to individuals living in Praxis accommodation and assessing the effectiveness of such training.

BRIDGE

Research was carried out to identify the main health needs within 3 communities in Northern Ireland. The project adopted a community development approach towards identifying health issues and as such a team of ‘community interviewers’ were recruited locally and trained to conduct face-to-face interviews with residents from the three areas. Overall 540 residents took part in an interview answering questions about the areas in which they lived, social problems in the area, access to services/facilities, housing conditions, employment and about their own personal health. The research identified many health needs within the areas relating to children and young people, young males, the unemployed and individuals caring for a relative. In particular the research raised concern over the high level of prescribed medication with the areas, including painkillers and anti-depressants and the impact the troubles has had on individual and community health.

PROVIDING SUPPORT, REDUCING EXCLUSION

Befriending is a process whereby two or more people are brought together, through an organisation, with the aim of establishing an informal social relationship. PCG conducted a 2-year research project into the extent, nature and value of volunteer befriending activity in Northern Ireland. Research findings included: service users identified increased confidence, improved mental health and greater opportunities for social interaction as benefits of using the service; volunteers reported increased social networks, greater confidence and increased self-esteem; many services operated on limited and short-term funding which impacted on service development and expansion into areas of high need; more befrienders, particularly males, were needed to meet demand. The research demonstrated that befriending was a valuable resource and that it should be supported, expanded and developed to enable it to continue to play a significant role in promoting health and well-being.

CROSSING THE LINE

The research aimed to provide recommendations for the future development of learning disability day services in 3 border areas of Ireland. The research comprised several strands: mapping currently available day services; profile of service users profile of carers; exploring the potential for cross border cooperation. In total, interviews were conducted with 35 service users, 12 carers, and 30 managers of learning disability day services within the 3 areas. Carers were also consulted via a postal survey. 287 service user profile sheets were completed by service staff, which provided a breakdown of service user characteristics. The research concluded that service development should not be restricted by the boundaries of buildings or borders. The research indicated that initiatives aimed at ‘crossing the line’ between the North and the South, would receive support from managers, carers, and service users.

ISLE OF MAN HOME SUPPORT

Home Support is based on a domiciliary model of care. It aims to help individuals with mental health problems to remain in their own home by providing practical, social and emotional support. The evaluation of the Home Support Service was carried out over a 3-year period. Many areas of service users’ functioning and quality of life improved significantly during their first 12 months receiving the service. This level of functioning was generally maintained over the following 24 months. However, ratings on service user social contact and communication increased only marginally over the 36 months. The reasons for these ratings require further exploration. The evaluation has identified many positive aspects of the Home Support Service and has encapsulated the important role the service plays in the lives of those who use it