Pillar aberdeen/ Alford centre IMPORTANT

[asaadmin]

hi everyone, First of all I apologise for getting to the Penumbra/ Pillar meeting, I think "miscommunication" is the best way to give a reason.

Jill and I did attend the Penumbra/MHA meeting on the Tuesday. The info below is from Penumbra's info sheet they handed out and my interpretaion and understanding of what was said please feel free to comment if yours is different.

Penumbra are calling the service "The Aberdeen Nova Project".

The services they intend to offer are; 1:1 support service which is guided personal planning helping individuals develop and work towards personal goals related to well-being. It is designed to facilitate tha "fade-in, fade out" approach so support will increase in times of need and decreases when it's not.

They will have a well-being programme covering things like stress management, relaxation, and more.

There will be Peer workers who will bring their experience of their own recovery to support and challange others to examine their own expectations.

Penumbra will also offer employment support.

Penumbra's objectives are; To promote social inclusion and service user involvement for the person in planning their recovery and development
to develop and maintain partnerships and networks with other agencies as well as community activities which enhance opportunities and integration for people using the service.
Support people to develop social contacts and pursue a wide range of social and leisure activities
Assist people to use support networks that prevent further ill-health, hospital admission, vulnerability, risk and personal crisis.
Negotiate the appropriate programme of support with the person encouraging their personal responsibility, choice and direction in their own life.
Support people to achieve; recovery, stability, self-reliance and achievement of personal goals and aspirations.
Enable people to safely exit the service.
Monitor, review and evaluate the service to the person on an ongoing basis with other relevant parties involved in their care and support e.g. family, carer, care manager, nurse.
To work in accordance withPenumbra's policies, procedures and values.
To contribute constructively and effectively to multi-disciplinary working.



Penumbra will use the Pillar building as their office space but staff will e geographically based throughout Aberdeen according to service demand. It is very likely Penumbra will hold groups in the current MHA locations.
The service isn't planning on having a drop-in as such but focus groups meaning they will have purpose, e.g. art, photography, sports (off the top of my head, not actual groups!)

The really good news is that it looks like the staff from both existing services will be given the opportunity to transfer to Punumbra so there will be staff who you know to ease the transition.


if you have any thoughts, comments or queries regarding this info please post a reply.

Bye for now Daniella

[asaadmin]

hello to all. I'm afraid I have been stuck at home longer than i thought, i would as I am still struggling to drive. Any way I haven't got around to putting this on here yet apologies. Some of the Pillar members have suggested meeting for a morning coffee once a month at the Music Hall Cafe. The first one will be on Monday 16th of August at 11am. This is not a Pillar official event and cost would be up to the individuals.

What a great opportunity to keep in contact with folk. Remember you can also use the forum to arrange similar meetings and we could create a slot just for such things.

Gordon Edgar has invited Pillar, MHA members and myself to meet with him on Monday so if you do want to pass things on to Claire Wilkie please speak to your reps.

some Pillar members have asked me to write a letter on their behalf regarding the meeting with Penumbra. If anyone else would like to comment plaese contact me as soon as possible.

Daniella