Every year, we appeal to our community and staff members to submit their Navigo Project of the Year ideas, shortlisting successful entries before putting them to a vote at our Annual General Meeting.
But this year, we’re doing things a little different, as Project of the Year becomes ‘Projects’ of the Year (POTY).
That’s right. Rather than focusing on just one project, our membership has decided to support several smaller projects throughout the year. This means that two (count ‘em) projects were chosen by members at our Navigo AGM in September. And two projects will be selected by members later in the year, when we reopen for submissions in winter and spring 2024/25.
Not only did this allow for even more creative ideas but ensured that innovative new approaches can be introduced throughout the year – addressing specific needs that might occur. Plus, funding can be spread across a number of initiatives rather than one main project.
Back in July, we received a number of project proposals from that were approved by the Membership Board. You can see the final shortlist and eventual winners below.
What were the shortlisted POTY 2024-25 projects?
This proposal highlights the importance of providing timely information and support for carers, pre assessment. Supporting early intervention and preventative approaches to carers support, the carers information pod will help carers to better understand the support available to them and how to access it.
The pod will consist of a human sized figure outlining ‘carer’s needs’ to help carers identify themselves so they can link into support. The pod will also include a freestanding information partition screen, a quiet space with seating and an iPad lectern. The iPad lectern will offer digital access to information including signposting to services and supporting materials, alongside a bookable appointment system for a carer’s assessment or to speak to someone for support.
The pod can function unattended or have focussed presence from, for example, a Carers Assessment Officer, Carer Champion or peer volunteers, who would receive training to ensure consistency of approaches. A timetable would be displayed to show when someone will be available in person at the pod for support and the pod would be available to all to access independently or via service area teams.
If the model at Harrison House works well, there is opportunity to extend the idea to other sites via wall-mounted acrylic Navigo carer’s boards which would display carer’s information and forms to gather carer and service user feedback for continued development opportunities.
The creation of a low stimulus environment with dark walls, dimmable lighting, fabrics, sensory equipment, fairy lights and other equipment will enable Navigo to offer therapy to one of the most vulnerable groups of people in North East Lincolnshire.
Of particular benefit to neurodiverse individuals, this would enhance access and experience of therapeutic interventions and support prevention of mental health crisis.
The project has been informed by:
- a significant increase in neurodiverse diagnoses in the UK (787% increase between 1998 and 2018)
- an awareness of many more people remaining undiagnosed, or self-diagnosed/self-identifying due to long waiting times for assessment, suggesting a higher prevalence of neurodiversity than recorded
- service user feedback from engagement events stating that the lack of a low stimulus therapy room is preventing them from currently accessing therapy
- the success of a similar co-produced facility at The Faraway, a local company based within the Val Waterhouse Centre, who have offered their support to this project
- the success of the single person quiet space adapted for staff within Talking Therapies.
Co-produced with service users, if the model at Talking Therapies works well, there is provision within the project budget to provide a second low stimulus room at another Navigo site which would be identified through co-production activity.
There is a huge gap in North East Lincolnshire for support around menopause and perimenopause and talking to someone else who has been through this can be a lifeline. This proposal is to create a menopause support group, run by volunteer networkers, that can be accessed by service users and staff.
The group would create a supportive environment for people to discuss personal experiences and speak freely and comfortably in an accessible, respectful and confidential space that is open for all, regardless of gender or age. The menopause impacts everyone, and men also suffer indirectly when watching their partners or someone they love experience new symptoms and emotions.
Volunteer networkers would receive appropriate training to deliver an eight week programme of support offering a friendly, listening ear and informal advice to help recognise and manage symptoms.
The project aims to reduce the risk of increased poor mental health and make a difference to so many. Project leads would seek to align the groups with all services within Navigo as well as external areas such as GPs, hospitals, family support groups and leisure centres for fitness, exercise, nutritional supplements and healthy eating.
This multi-faceted project centres around creating Navigo workplaces that are more neuro-divergent friendly for neurodiverse staff.
The project includes establishing sensory wellness spaces and an employee resource group and will look to create adaptations for people who are neurodiverse based on need. The project has the following aims:
- Form a neurodiversity employee resource group - an inclusive community who can raise awareness, offer unique insights, challenge assumptions and help to pinpoint areas for change
- Create sensory spaces and wellness rooms – places to pause and recharge with specialist equipment and low stimulus environments on each site
- Align with the equality and diversity agenda and Navigo ethos and values
- Highlight the correlation between mental health and neurodiversity
- Moving forward, ensure all new and current working environments are neuro-inclusive with this focus included in the Navigo estates strategy
- Ensure we are as good at considering cognitive accessibility as we are at physical accessibility
- Explore opportunities to set up peer support groups and work with the wider community and health sector to improve workplace culture
- Provide a visual celebratory reminder of our workplace diversity, leading the way for other organisations.
Well-Vend would be Navigo’s first wellbeing vending machine. Based at Harrison House, it would provide 24 hour access to healthy snacks, confectionary and hot and cold drinks for service users, staff and visitors through cash and card payments.
But 10% of any profits generated would be donated to staff wellbeing initiatives.
The vending machine will cover dietary requirements including vegan, gluten free and halal. Staff and service users will influence product choices through staff wellbeing forums and the co-production and engagement team will co-ordinate service user input.
Well-Vend will be integrated into the Tukes training and employment model, meaning service users and members will be involved in the ongoing replenishment, maintenance and management of the Well-Vend facility.
And if the model proves successful within Harrison House, there is potential to expand the offer to other sites.