Communities:
Public Health and The Life Rooms
The Life Rooms micro commission
In partnership with The Life Rooms at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Public Health supported the development of The Life Rooms social model of health. This model connects people with community organisations. They are able to access support with emotional health and related practical challenges. Community organisations were grant funded to build the support they offered. Interventions tried to support people with increased needs. Interventions supported 2025 people.
Organisations include:
Most people wanted help to improve their physical or mental health. Other common types of support accessed were for social interaction. People wanted to be more independent. They wanted to feel confident and to take part in enjoyable activities. This support made a huge difference. Over 95% of people felt better about their life. 94% had improved wellbeing or felt better connected to others. 93% had improved confidence. 97% felt better supported. Most of those taking part felt happy with the support offered. People also reported feeling valued by the organisations.
9 medium to large voluntary and community sector organisations received funding. This was subject to two key conditions. Working in partnership with smaller grassroots organisations to deliver projects. Organisations must also share resources with smaller partners. This model of commissioning encouraged working together. It helped to ensure that support was accessible and acceptable to communities. Larger organisations got to know communities through existing relationships. Smaller, trusted community organisations supported this.
Review of VCSE micro-commissioning project (Quarter 2)
100% of the organisations felt very satisfied with The Life rooms as a commissioner
7,254 contactswere made between beneficiaries and organisations across the entire project
99%of service users felt happy with the support given
99%of service users felt valued and respected by staff
“This was the best experience. I feel like a different person. I can’t stop smiling. I wish it lasted longer.”
6,044 sessions and events were held by organisations throughout the commission
54 Grass route partner organisations involved in delivering activity for out VCSE Micro-Commission
“I loved being a part of the group, it’s helped me so much… It’s helped me with my confidence and getting back to me again. I’m truly grateful for this amazing experience.”
98% of service users found it easy to access the service
98% of service users experienced a positive impact on feeling supported
7,254 contracts were made between beneficiaries and organisations across the entire VCSE Micro-Commission project
70.9 tonnes of food (equivalent of 169,000 meals) was delivered by FareShare
54 of Grassroots partner organisations involved in delivering activity
“Before Christmas I was in a very dark place… Age Concern helped me realise that there was a better life for me. I have made friends, been places and had lots of fun. Life is good, Thank you.”
100% of the organisations felt very satisfied with The Life Rooms as a commissioner
“The project has strengthened relationships with partner organisations which will lead to additional joint working in the future.”
“Thank you to the team for your support and belief in our teams and our communities.”
98% of service users found it easy to access the service
100% of Grassroots partner organisations felt positive about working in partnership with the lead organisations
100% of the organisations felt very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the micro-commissioning process
“Our users have more awareness of where to access help and are better equipped to deal with situations within their own families.”
“Partnership working in this instance has worked amazingly well and has enabled us to address specific issues that are being targeted with openness, trust and honesty and agreed shared goals.”