About Us
"Meetings (face-to-face) were regular, open access to support via phone or email. Information was up-to-date and comprehensive. Friendly, informal, accessible and supportive."
"Has been a wonderful support to me, and helped me to move on."
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About Us "Meetings (face-to-face) were regular, open access to support via phone or email. Information was up-to-date and comprehensive. Friendly, informal, accessible and supportive." "Has been a wonderful support to me, and helped me to move on." |
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Staff:
Sam Ismael - Project Manager & Julie Bayliss
Project Administrator |
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Education Link is designed to provide a comprehensive range of advice, support, guidance and educational opportunities, for adults with mental health and emotional problems. The project has a wide remit of supporting individuals with mental health issues, encompasses Vocational Rehab and Recovery, and works with community mental health teams, Link Social Care Service, education, employment providers, and community organisations that support recovery. Our aim is to provide a confidential, and informal service, offering support to people who wish to overcome personal and social barriers, that they feel are holding them back from education, training or employment. The project works towards making communities more aware of mental health issues, reducing discrimination and helping individuals to join in with their local communities, thus promoting social inclusion and engagement. Education Link addresses both individual and community needs: It provides a service to individuals supporting them to clarify their goals, prepare for action and move on into their chosen goals. Ongoing support will also be available via telephone and appointment if required. Education Link will also provide a direct link between Mental Health
Services and the community via link-working with partner agencies that
facilitate vocational pathways. Stakeholders include Service User
groups, Mental Health Services, partner agencies and other interested
parties. The service is free, however to be eligible you do need to be accessing some form of psychological support i.e.: psychologist, care co-ordinator, etc. If you are not sure whether you qualify, please call in confidence, Sam Ismael on 01237 425778 or Mobile 07967 613368 Education Link has been accredited for offering advice and guidance relating to learning and work, and has worked towards and attained Matrix standards. The project continues to work in partnership with other agencies and community providers in order to maximise choice, potential for the client, and to maintain high standards of delivery. The project is committed to supporting recovery practice, the journey into occupation, work and well-being. |
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“There is increasing evidence that improvement in mental illness, quality of life and health promotion can be encouraged through employment / vocational rehabilitation. In North Devon there are some gaps in provision to facilitate these benefits and access can be difficult. The rural nature of the area, transport issues, stigma and the local employment situation also influence prospects for self-development. A supportive, non-stigmatising system to assist job retention, allow graded progression towards employment, training, learning and volunteering and work with individuals to achieve their goals may offer a bridge to future opportunities. Partnership working, joint funding of future provision, shared training and information / communication are proposed to facilitate improved services.” (Summary of Review of Mental Health Opportunities for Employment, Training, Learning and Volunteering in North Devon, March 2002). The Devon Partnership Trust Organisational Plan 2002-3, The Social Service Strategic Plan 2001-4 and the North Devon Primary Care Trust Health Improvement and Modernisation Plan 2002-4 all mention promoting mental health via the medium of ‘employment’, i.e. engaging in meaningful activity. The Devon County Council plan summarises best the potential input. Education Link has set out to address this need. |