Graham Nicholls from Plymouth & District Mind presented at the Widening Participation workshop at Learning Networks on 5 December 2018. Graham shared his organisation's approach to inclusion and the role that involving staff in the learning and training process can play in creating internal change. Find out more about the Widening Participation group on the dedicated page: www.erasmusplus.org.uk/learning-networks-topics/widening-participation

1. Learning Networks –
Widening Participation
Graham Nicholls
Plymouth & District Mind
Maple House Birmingham 5th December 2018
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

2. Plymouth & District Mind
• Mental Health Charity Formed in 1984
• Began working as a volunteer in 1991 – now EU projects coordinator
• Charity set up the Plymouth Recovery College 5 years ago
• Supporting an average of 4000 people per year
• Plymouth Mind: Coordinator/Partner in EU projects since 2004
• Projects funded byTransversal, Grundtvig, Leonardo, ESF, ERDF (Interreg)
• Current position: 2 projects funded by Erasmus Plus (COBALT & DAUPR)
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

3. Challenges
• Forming partnerships – network building
• Engaging with targeted learners & reaching project objectives
• Switch of emphasis from poor mental health to positive intervention
• Upskilling staff – all staff now have at least level 3 training qualification
• Upskilling staff in chosen (core) direction eg NLP training
• Profile raising of organisation
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

4. Solutions
• Develop networks & actively get involved with community activities
• Develop relationships with stakeholders who work with project targeted groups
• Provide “free” training for targeted stakeholders (Interreg Channel projects:
IMPRESS & PONToon)
Project Management
• Emphasise importance of “associated partners” in project application section
• Methodology to include reference to target groups and associated stakeholders
• Plymouth DevelopmentTool ForVocationalTraining (LdVToI project output –
Community Mental HealthTraining Programme)
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

5. Changes Made In Approach
• Actively seek to incorporate “train the trainers” element in new
applications
• Scope “best practice” approaches from partners prior to application
• Use transnational meetings to include workshops rather than
presentations; also meet hosting partner stakeholders during visit
• Embed learning within partners’ training curricula
• Plymouth Mind staff now actively involved in suggesting new project
themes
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

6. IMPACT
• “Deliberate Self-Harm - Positive Choices” (DSH – PC): Greek partner continues to
deliver and has widened training outreach to a further 35 youth workers and 418
young people post project completion
• DSH – PC selected by EC as one of their “success stories”
• CCTP (Community ChampionTraining Programme): Swedish partner embedded
within Folk High School curriculum; Plymouth Mind continues to deliver as CPD to
community workers
• COBALT: Cognitive Optimisation ByAssistive LearningTechnology – new training
methods developed for embedding within our Recovery College (target groups are
those with learning disability and/or on autistic spectrum
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

7. IMPACT
• DAUPR – Discourse Analysis from a position of Unconditional Positive Regard:
Greek partner suggested a project about Discourse Analysis; Plymouth Mind staff
member suggested adding the Unconditional Positive Regard element from our
Recovery College courses
• Currently developing a CPD training course for professionals/volunteers working
with vulnerable groups through DAUPR project
• All projects relate to “core” activities that we can roll out post project completion
• Interreg Projects – large scale projects that enable Plymouth Mind to offer “free
training” as a means to engage new stakeholders and expand our networks
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

8. Established Networks
• Founder of the Plymouth Mental Health Providers Network – 140+ providers in the
Plymouth and surrounding area
• Founding member of the International Mental Health Collaboration Network
• Member of CEFEC Social Firms Europe
• Member of 120+ Mind affiliated network organisations
• MHFA & ASIST training provider
• Approved training centre for City & Guilds, OCN London & APT
• Member of British Association of Counselling Practitioners
• Member of Association of Mental Health Providers UK
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

9. Suggested Best Practice
• Ensure partners provide complete profile picture
• Ensure partners provide stakeholder information (associated partners)
• Ensure partners can “reach” the target groups plus state/plan how they will
continue post project completion
• Share workshop delivery at each transnational meeting to build a “best practice
guide” as an output
• Use C1 short term staff training events to ensure more staff are able to help
achieve project target objectives
• Use of Multiplier Events and “piggy-back” other conferences to promote the
project
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union

10. Widening Participation
ThankYou
Graham Nicholls
graham@plymouthmind.com
Funded by the
Erasmus+ Programme
Of the European Union