Pathways to Partnerships
OMH partner The WATCH Project CIC and ARK at Egwood CIC are excited to announce their recent grant award from The National Lottery Community Fund for their joint three-year Reaching Communities project: Pathways to Partnerships.
Julie Matthews (WATCH Project) and Nigel Bell (ARK at Egwood) will be working together using their extensive knowledge and experience to improve both access and engagement with mental health support in Somerset.
Working in partnership together with other organisations in Somerset, the WATCH Project CIC & ARK at Egwood aim to provide pathways for people that will provide meaningful, transferable life experiences. The project will offer practical skills training with face-to-face support, and engagement with other relevant support organisations, providing holistic approaches and positive outcomes. The Pathways to Partnership project will provide personal, targeted, cost-effective support, in a non-threatening sympathetic and engaging environment, with an emphasis on the individual’s personal choice and pace. These approaches will help develop a sense of social connection and lessen feelings of social isolation within local communities, by identifying and overcoming barriers that may stop people or groups from seeking support.
Julie and Nigel will, through this exciting project, look to empower individuals to manage their anxiety, encourage social engagement and connection, improve confidence by identifying positive peer pathways and, with the appropriate support, enable them to pursue their own chosen journey. Through peer coaching, project members will feel empowered to realise their own potential and vision, and through personal learning and development recognise and believe they have choice and control over their lives.
Conservation Community Action Group in Chard
WATCH is starting a new peer group called the ‘conservation community action group’ in Chard. This peer group will be an inspiring group of around 10/12 peers.
Group Goals
- Support each other with their health and well-being by accessing conservation projects
- Have a one-to-one with a representative from Eco Centre South West on personal budgets, energy saving in their homes and looking at Watch carbon footprint
- Connecting with Somerset Wildlife Trust and a wide range of activities
- Having a four-week FREE peer group workshop programme on understanding peer support and how to set up your own conservation community action group
- Being part of a peer group forum for ongoing support
- Helping your community in projects and activities that your own peer group chooses
- Being based in a community hub with support
The new group will run every Wednesday in Chard from May 17th to June 7th 2023. Further groups are being planned for Yeovil and Taunton.