Page 8 - QNIS Newsletter 2019

www qnis org uk Catalysts for Change 2017 QNIS launched the first Catalysts for Change Programme back in in in in 2015 The purpose was to to to provide funding to to to nurses in in in in in the the community to to to lead short innovative development projects in in in in in collaboration with other agencies focused on on addressing health inequalities Govan Men’s Shed The project was established after practice nurse Sarah Everett successfully applied for for Catalysts for for Change funding to explore setting up a a a a a a a a a men’s shed in in in the Govan area of Glasgow Several of the the the men who were were patients in in in her practice were were asked if they wanted to to be involved in in in in the the the set up up and a a a a a a a a a a a core group of initially five agreed to to do so so They expressed what a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a great idea it it it it it was was that it it it it it was was a a a a a a a a a a a a a a resource sadly lacking within the the community and and they were very enthusiastic to be involved in in in in in in in in something that would involve involve planning organising and and some some physical work After sourcing and acquiring a a a a a a a base – – a a a a a a a derelict former children’s nursery building – – the men set about overhauling it it In September 2018 it it it was officially opened and now operates as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a charity The The group has established a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a dedicated friendly and and welcoming place They have shared discovered or reawakened skills and and created a a a a a a a a a a a a a a facility that will offer a a a a a a a a a a a a a a number of of activities to to provide men who are no longer working with somewhere to to go where where they can take part in in in meaningful We hear from the the the 2017 group who completed their projects projects last year All the the the the projects projects are about empowerment helping people to help help themselves with a a a a a a a a a strong emphasis on on on integration and culture change activity such as as as woodwork gardening model-making arts cooking as as as well as as as playing games making making friends and building relationships The practice nurse offers support around health issues in in an informal accessible way The shed has successfully obtained sponsorship from local business European Metal Recycling Ltd as as as well as as as attracting National Lottery funding to help with ongoing costs Evaluation overall has shown that the the core group who are involved in in in in in in the the project have benefited greatly in in in in all all cases a a a a a a a a a a life-changing experience Working with children and and and and young people – a a a a a a a a a community approach to understanding and and and and valuing breastfeeding and and and and early nutrition This project was designed to increase knowledge of breastfeeding breastfeeding among young people living in in in in in an area of of North Ayrshire where breastfeeding breastfeeding rates were critically low Led by infant feeding feeding nurse (and Queen’s Nurse) Liz Smith the the aims of the the project were that children young people and and and and communities have increased knowledge and and and are able to make healthy and and and informed choices about about feeding feeding babies as as as as well as as as as having a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a better understanding about about the barriers to breastfeeding and and why community support is important This was to be achieved by engaging with children and and youngpeople increasingtheirawarenessofandnormalising breastfeeding by using short age-appropriate interactive learning sessions sessions Planned activities included classroom sessions sessions relating to to breastfeeding which were presented to to 1 1 188 pupils across early years primary and secondary The project was created in partnership with NHS Ayrshire Ayrshire & Arran North North Ayrshire Ayrshire Ayrshire Health and and Social Care Partnership North North Ayrshire Ayrshire Council and and The The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) The The programme was able to reach a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a large audience in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a short space of time and in in in an an area with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a formula feeding culture Evaluation showed that pupils and and and staff enjoyed the the the sessions and and and they engaged in in in in the the the learning and and and activities activities Pupils seemed to particularly enjoy interactive activities activities such as as completing worksheets on on on their daily food and and drink intake the the breastmilk demonstration and and group work work such as as matching baby animals to their mums Nature Walks for Wellbeing The Nature Walks for Wellbeing project was developed as as a a a a a a partnership between NHS Forth Valley adult mental health services based at at at the Woodlands Resource Centre at at at Falkirk Community Hospital and and Scottish Waterways Trust It was led by senior charge nurse Johanna Maloney The project aimed to to offer adults living in in in Falkirk who suffer from poor mental health the opportunity to to spend time in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a natural setting and take part in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a range of nature-based activities within a a a a a a group Two 10-week programmes of of Nature Walks for Wellbeing engaged participants in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a range of of outdoor activities including yoga and and and exercise sessions natural art art guided history and and and nature walks mindfulness and and and photography Every session included time for all participants to to to to relax and and socialise together over a a a a a a a a a a a a hot drink and and snack after completing an an activity For almost all sessions results showed that most most individuals felt felt either better or or the the the the the the same by the the the the the the end of the the the the the the session session compared to how they felt felt at at at the the the the the the the start This suggests that spending time outdoors in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a natural setting and within the the the social Nature Walks group can improve improve short-term mood which could in in in turn lead to longer-term improvements in in in wellbeing 7 QNIS Newsletter & Review of 2018