STR - Support Time Recovery - Activity 5.5 - An effective mental health worker

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STR / Support Time Recovery Training course

VRQ Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health

Answer to Question 1

In 2003 I ran a series of free photography classes for service users in the Hastings and Rother area in association with the Hastings Mind. The classes were once a week for 10 weeks, ending with an exhibition of the member's photography at the White Rock Theatre in Hastings, East Sussex where we actually sold quite a few of the photos. After the course four of us set up Grumpy Gnome photography and we have had our work shown in a few places now.

Answer to Question 2

I hope that I kept the course as interesting as possible, all the handouts were written entirely by me and had loads of example photographs. I also worked in partnership with the group, we all decided what we all wanted to do and learn.

Answer to Question 3

I think it was effective because of the way the group (including me) all worked as a team, sharing ideas, helping each other, giving each other support when needed. The course moved along at the speed the group wanted and I was always happy to go back over things we had done before if somebody needed help. There were a few problems along the way, a couple of people dropped out due to health problems, a couple more decided the course was not right for them, but overall I would say the course was a success. To me the course was not about photography as such, it was more about social inclusion and encouraging the members to go and as a group and work together.

Answer to Question 4

To always find out what the group wants to do and work round that, rather than making too many plans at the start. Things are different on a course where you are working towards a recognised qualification, there are a lot of things that must be taught, but with the "Digital Dreams" course it was about the fun of photography and coming up with ways of including people that may otherwise feel socially excluded. I have also learnt that having a good support structure is very important as you never know what will happen and what problems you may face. I was very lucky that most of the course went completely to plan, but it was good to have support from the people at Hastings Mind when I did need help with things.

Next: STR Activity 5.6 - Keeping the boundaries and using support systems
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Please note: The contents of the Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Students workbook are copyrighted, so I have not included any of the questions, purely my answers which are only copyrighted to me! If you have access to the workbook it will make a lot more sense to you. Please do NOT copy my answers and use them as your own, I have just put them here to give you ideas for any parts you may be stuck on.