“It builds the women’s confidence and self-esteem. It makes them feel like they have worth. I cannot stop what is going on in their lives or at home. If it is domestic abuse I cannot stop that but I can teach them self-defence, I can teach them to stand up for themselves.”
Lynn Robertson, Counsellor – Person Shaped Support
Establishing a partnership with Person Shaped Support (PSS) has provided a unique opportunity for MSP to work with a group of women whose lives – due to their individual circumstances – would best be described as challenging, or even ‘chaotic’.
The Women’s Turnaround Project based in Liverpool provides women-only support to females who are involved in the criminal justice system; the majority been on probation or under specific judicial conditions associated with release from prison. In addition to those who are already within the system, it also works with those identified at significant risk of potentially offending who are referred for support due to the issues and challenges which exist in their lives.
To reduce the risks of offending or re-offending, PSS works with and supports the women to address the complex and often multi-layer issues and challenges in their lives. Alcohol and substance misuse, poor mental health, low confidence and self-worth, experience of domestic violence or abuse, family breakdown, children in care, homelessness, financial hardship, unemployment and educational attainment are some of the common issues which may be faced by the women receiving support. The impact of these issues means that finding structure, purpose and routine in the women’s lives can be difficult; one issue may lead or contribute to another and the problems often combine, or spiral. Inactivity within the group was very high; put simply in the lives of the women been physically active is not a high priority and opportunities extremely limited, due to the issues outlined.
In order to help the women to address the issues outlined and to change or modify behaviours, MSP has worked with PSS to develop and implement a physical activity offer for the women receiving support. The offer has provided the opportunity to build physical activity into the group support sessions which the women attend with the aim of improving both the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals.
Working alongside Lynn Robertson from PSS, MSP were active in facilitating consultation with the women to understand the type of activities of interest; this included application of youth insight and personality profiles to aid the development of the offer. It is also important to note that due to the specific circumstances of the women significant thought had to be given with respect to running the consultation. PSS had to ensure that the women of the Turnaround Project were comfortable with members of the team attending their sessions and equally MSP had to give significant consideration in respect of the team members directly involved in the consultation, particularly in the early stages. Given the experiences of the women, building trust and confidence with the group was something that was and remains paramount.
MSP was also fundamental in working with PSS to identify how best to deliver activity sessions focused on using boxing. This included working with local community partners to initially secure a venue in close proximity to the Turnaround Project. Working with the facility was essential given the need to ensure that the women felt safe and secure at the venue. Working with Lynn, MSP and PSS identified how through the sessions the outcomes required by the Probation Service in respect of counselling were incorporated.
The initial project engaged 24 participants and all reported improvements in their self-confidence, mental health and wellbeing. In order to illustrate how important having opportunity to be physically active is, the following are quotes provided by four of the participants:
“It’s given me a new sense of direction….it’s given me the ability to control myself in all aspects of my life inside and outside the gym.”
Anonymous, Women’s Turnaround Project participant
“It has helped me find new direction and release built up stress. Feel more confident and self-sufficient; I believe I can achieve every goal I set.”
Anonymous, Women’s Turnaround Project participant
“They take my mind off my worries and help me think clearly. They help the anxiety…..I feel uplifted after the session.”
Anonymous, Women’s Turnaround Project participant
“It came just at a time when I was trying to sort myself our and I had started to give up the drink and eat better but needed to get moving. The boxing was fab because it let me exercise and it was disciplined with a routine so I could see myself getting more into each week……I feel so different in myself.”
Anonymous, Women’s Turnaround Project participant
Analysis by MSP calculated a social value of £48058 for each participant based on the average cost of funding one prison place for at year, NHS treatment for a person taking drugs or alcohol and the average cost of one crime being committed. It is important to acknowledge that this figure is based on an individual within the context of receiving support from all the services within the context of the Women’s Turnaround Project, not just the physical activity element.
Following the initial investment facilitated by MSP, we have worked closely with PSS to ensure that the sessions have been sustained. Both partners have secured and committed additional finance to the project and given its success PSS are now working to main-stream physical activity as part of the contract with the Probation Service.
The relationship with PSS has not only provided the opportunity to enable a group who are under-represented to become physically active. It has also provided MSP with an opportunity to develop valuable primary insight into the skills and attributes required to engage with participants whose lives are challenging, or ‘chaotic’. These have been captured and shared through the production of a ‘pen portrait’.
From an organisation perspective, the ‘pen portrait’ of Lynn provides a unique reference point to share with partners in respect of the key attributes and approaches needed to engaging and inspiring participants, from challenging backgrounds. MSP is now in a position to share what needs to be considered when identifying a coach, instructor or leader to deliver activity within this type of setting or environment and provides a basis to help influence our partners thinking. It would not have been possible to develop this insight if we did not have such a strong partnership with PSS and more importantly the trust and confidence of the women.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veySGzZndvc&t=541s