Celebrating three years of improving wellbeing in Kent

An event to celebrate three years of community mental health services Live Well Kent took place in Maidstone on Friday (17 May).

Live Well Kent provides a free, person centred, holistic service that supports individuals to manage issues in life that impact on their mental health and wellbeing. It is open to any Kent residents aged 17 or older. Shaw Trust is the strategic partner providing the service in the West Kent, with Porchlight providing the service in east Kent. The service is funded by joint commissioners Kent County Council and the seven clinical commissioning groups for Kent (but not Medway).

Live Well Kent works in partnership with clinical services providing an alternative which is focussed on wellbeing, connectivity, prevention and recovery to take pressure off the NHS. It is based on open referrals – anyone can access help when they need it. Clients meet their appointed ‘Navigator’, who carries out a wellbeing discovery session centred on what matters to them and uses the evidence based ‘six ways to wellbeing model’ to support progression. Together they co-produce an action plan which can include engagement with a wide range of network and community partners.

There have been significantly more people, with complex needs using Live Well Kent than originally anticipated. Despite this the programme is delivering very good outcomes. Since the service began 87% of participants say their wellbeing has improved or been maintained.

Speaking at the event Austin Hardie, Operational Managing Director of Community Health and Wellbeing for Shaw Trust, said: “Live Well Kent is a fantastic example of smart commissioning and pooling resources to make maximum impact for those who need it most. I am delighted that my colleagues, who work on Live Well Kent, are providing such an important, life changing service and thank them for all they do for those they support. It has been brilliant to meet some of the clients they are working with and hear their stories. At Shaw Trust, our purpose is to help one million people transform their lives. Live Well Kent is certainly a fabulous example of that.”

Kent County Council Director for Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark said: “This community support partnership has been extremely important for people in Kent – raising awareness of the symptoms of mental health issues and bringing together the different assets that exist locally. By making this information readily accessible, this service enables more people in Kent with mental health problems to have the very best support as early as possible to lead a better life.

“We continue to work with our partners, particularly the National Health Service, to ensure a joined up and a person centred approach to improving mental health and we are pleased to see the success in Live Well Kent in improving lives.”

Find out more about Live Well Kent at www.livewellkent.org.uk or call 0800 567 7699.

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