ii

Community

Education

For

Better Health

Worker’s Educational Association

End of Pilot Project Report

July 2011

Background

The WEA

The WEA is a national educational charity, established in 1903 and based locally across 9

regions, including the West Midlands. Learning provision includes community based health

education courses located in areas of multiple deprivation. Provision is organised in

partnership with statutory and other voluntary organisations to ensure groups are filled and

to avoid duplication.

The WEA manage and deliver 2 health education projects in Dudley and Stoke on Trent.

Based on the success of these models the WEA applied to the Worcestershire Partnership

Health Improvement Fund in 2009 for funding to run a Community Education for Better

Health pilot project in the north of Worcestershire.

Community Education for Better Health (CEBH)

The WEA was awarded funding of £74,927 for a 2 year project (April 09 – April 11) from the

Worcestershire Partnership‟s Health Improvement Fund to manage and deliver a

programme of health education and fitness in the „health hotspot‟ areas of: Broadwaters and

Greenhill in Kidderminster; Charford in Bromsgrove; Abbey, Batchley and Central in

Redditch. The CEBH project started in August 2009 and the first courses were run in

October. An extension of the project was agreed until July 11 to tie in with the academic

year.

The Health Improvement target that the project was designed to contribute to was:

N121 Mortality rate from all circulatory diseases at ages under 75.

The funding was for a new pilot community-based education project

“Project work will focus on identifying and engaging adults, particularly older people

(45+) and/or adults from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities from

health deprived wards, to participate in healthy lifestyle education programmes

specifically designed to reduce the risk of circulatory diseases.”

The expected outcomes for CEBH were:

Adults residing in the target hotspot areas report:

Improved health and fitness/wellbeing by the end of the project

Improved awareness of how to adopt healthy lifestyle by the end of the project

Improved confidence in accessing public health and/or social care services by the

end of the project

This report outlines the successes and learning points from the project. The WEA will

use the findings from this report in the development of future projects nationally. It is

hoped that it will also influence the development of other community health initiatives

across Worcestershire

Foreword

The Foreword is usually from someone important in the organisation. We asked one of

our learners to write one for us on behalf of everyone who has used the project, as there

is no one more important to us than our learners.

Index

Background Inside cover Foreword 1 Index 1 Process 2 Outputs 3 Achievements 4 Curriculum 6 Courses 7 Feedback 8 Case studies 11 Health Measuring 12 Health Measure 13 Issues 14 Lessons learned 15 What next 16 Acknowledgements Inside cover Contact information Back cover

I’m really pleased to be able to write this foreword for the WEA CEBH end of project

report.

I found out about these courses because my GP made an appointment for me with one of

the Health Trainers and she persuaded me to try the Confidence course in Redditch

Library.

I was nervous about going to the first class. It felt like going back to school.

The tutor was great and was very flexible. I made some brilliant new friends. It felt like

we ran the course. We talked about things that were important to us and the course was

build around everybody’s needs.

The first course was not long enough. We made notes about this on our feedback forms

and it was good that the WEA listened to us; they are very accommodating. Some things

don’t always sink in the first time you hear them and the second course went into more

depth as the trust built up.

2 hour classes were just enough to keep everybody interested. It was good that the

courses were free as it made them open to absolutely everyone - there were no airs and

graces, everyone was equal. Taking the measurements was helpful, as having an incentive

to lose weight certainly helped my confidence.

I am joining another 2 WEA courses in September and I have

persuaded my daughter-in-law to come with me on one of them.

I can’t fault the courses. It was all totally brilliant!

Jude Prosser

05.08.2011

Page 1

Process

A brief outline of the life of the project

The pilot was awarded funding in July 2009. A Project Organiser was appointed in August.

The first task was to recruit tutors, find venues and attract the right learner to the courses.

From the start the project did not want to recruit people who could easily have gone to

private gyms etc. It was considered essential to target the hard to reach learners who would

not normally see exercise and health education as being of benefit for them. This meant

recruiting motivational tutors who were sympathetic to the needs of these learners and were

able to break down their activities into bite size chunks.

Initially progress was slow, as was to be expected. It was „pushing the snowball uphill‟ with

lots of effort for very little return. Initially it was difficult to match tutor availability, venue

availability and be able to put on courses at times and places that matched the needs of and

availability of learners.

Gradually the pace of the project picked up. Our partner organisations were very supportive

of the project and we found the best way of reaching learners was through our partners. As

organisations saw the benefit and the difference that we could make, we were increasingly

asked for more and varied courses.

When the courses started we had a steep learning curve with taking and collating the health

measurements. We offered learners the opportunity to have blood pressure, resting pulse

rate, height, weight and waits measurements taken at the start and end of the physical

activity courses. It was not compulsory and people could opt for all or some of the

measurements. These measurements were confidential and not stored with the course

registers. Initially it was hard for learners to see the relevance of these measurements, and

the health education handouts, as most of them had just come to take part in an activity.

Over time we got better at how we advertised the courses and sold the idea to learners.

The more success we had, the more demands were made on the project. We had

increasing demands for services for people with chronic, low level mental health needs and,

with the agreement of the Steering Group, we were able to respond to these needs. The

development of this work gave another dimension to the project.

We are proud to have developed a holistic approach to physical, mental and emotional

health that uses a range of physical activities, creative activities and group-work to improve

fitness, healthy eating, stress management, confidence and self esteem.

This pilot project has successfully more than met the majority if its targets and we have

developed a style of work that is transferrable to other projects and areas of work. We are

looking for opportunities to take this work forward into future developments within the WEA

and to share our learning from this project for the benefit of others.

Page 2

Outputs and Outcomes

The projected project outputs were:

Carry out intensive outreach in specific areas

Done

Engaging at least 300 people in a community context

Exceeded

Designing and delivering 30 local and structured health education/physical activity adult classes and activities

Exceeded

Making use of community venues and a limited amount of exercise equipment that is stored and transported to various locations

Done

Recording and reporting health improvement outcomes

Done

The projected project outcomes were:

200 adults residing within target hotspot areas report improved health/and or fitness and/or well being

Exceeded

300 adults residing within target hotspot areas report improved awareness of how to adopt healthy lifestyles by the end of the project

Exceeded

300 adults residing within target hotspot areas report increased confidence in accessing public health and or social care services by the end of the project

Partially

Page 2

Page 3

Achievements

We are proud of the achievements we have made during the project. For a small project with

only a short time to develop we have achieved more than could be expected. We are

particularly pleased with the difference we have made to lives of some of our learners (see

pages 8-11 for more information). There are many more examples that we could have given

in addition to the case studies on page 11.

A particular strength of the project has been the style of working. Learners have felt cared for

by the tutors. Tutors have worked hard to ensure the safety and comfort of learners while

encouraging them the push themselves that little bit further in either physical exertion, trust

and confidence or lifestyle changes

During the project we became aware of how difficult it was to provide health information

relevant to each area. There was a lot of information available but it was difficult to

systematically collate and give this to learners in an easy to use form. Because of this we

developed a health information pack for each area which gives information on where to

obtain help and support on a wide range of health topics. These have been well received by

learners.

Initially we experienced difficulty with learners failing to see why we needed to take the

health measurements. We worked hard at how we explained the process and made it more

relevant to individuals on the course. We found that a lot of the older learners did not mind

being weighed but did not like having their waist measurements taken and we were happy

with this as long as they participated in the other measurements

We developed a style of working which enabled the health measuring process to go on

alongside the activity of the course. This helped learners to be able to feel less rushed when

having the checks and they had time to ask questions without feeling they were holding

other people up.

We were pleased that the Steering Group allowed us to respond to the needs of learners

with mental health concerns who fell below the threshold for statutory services. We were

able to help fill a need for these learners. They then demonstrated some of the biggest

lifestyle changes. One learner lost nearly 4 stone during 2 separate courses she attended

during the project.

We worked in all of the Health Hotspot areas during the project. This enabled us to be sure

we were reaching the most at need learners. Though this did cause some problems at public

events when people from outside these areas wanted us to put on courses for them and we

were unable to do so.

The project has helped to raise the profile of the WEA in the north of Worcestershire. This

has led to requests for other courses which have been added to the mainstream

Worcestershire WEA programme

Page 4

Achievements

Learner

Numbers

Total Men Women Disability

*

BME Over

50

On

Benefits

Oct - Dec 2009 37 7 30 18 2 15 22

Jan – March 2010 53 9 44 21 2 37 24

April – Sept 2010 77 9 68 34 2 38 23

Oct – Dec 2010 116 18 98 59 11 61 52

Jan – March 2011 143 10 133 68 21 80 55

April – July 2011 94 9 85 51 21 29 58

Project Totals 520

62 458 251 59 260 234

11.9% 88% 48.2% 11.3% 50% 45%

43 Courses run

520 learners

567 Individual health measures improved

All project milestones met in timely fashion

Stands at 13 multi agency public events

Multi agency Health Fair run in Charford

Development of low level mental health work

Nominated for Compact partnership award

Health Hotspot areas reached

Development of Health information packs

Provision responsive to learner need and feedback

15 tutors recruited and used

Excellent partnerships developed

The right learners reached

(see below)

Page 5

Curriculum

Venues: We have made use of a range of community buildings for our classes, including:

Church halls, Schools, Social Club, Library, Community Centres, Pub, Youth Centre,

Sheltered accommodation, Day centres.

Use of these facilities has enabled us to reach the „health hotspot‟ communities and has

allowed us to be flexible in our approach to courses. All venues had an Accommodation

Survey carried out before the courses to ensure they met Health and Safety requirements

and provided a suitable learning environment

Staffing: We have been fortunate in being able to recruit some excellent tutors. While

many tutors are excellent in their subject we also needed tutors who could work at an

appropriate level for our learners and gently motivate them to achieve more than they

thought that they could do.

Learners: From the start we did our best to ensure that we reached the learners that the

project was designed for. It would have been easy to fill places with people who saw free

courses as an alternative to paying at the gym. We aimed our recruitment at people living in

the „health hotspot‟ areas who would not normally have seen health education and exercise

as something they would have been interested in. Our partner organisations have been a

great help to us in helping to recruit the right learners

Systems: The project has developed effective systems for the collection and collation of

course information and health measurement information.

Health measurement information is confidential and not stored with the registers and

enrolment forms. Course information is held a WEA West Midlands regional office. Course

files include registration forms, evaluation, learning records etc. The WEA also randomly

contact a sample of learners to ask for feedback in confidence to ensure learner evaluations

are not influenced by the tutors presence.

Partnerships and Events: We feel that working through partners was the best way to

recruit learners to the project. It helped to ensure we were not just providing an activity in

isolation and then leaving the learners high and dry. We were able to kick-start health

initiatives that could be continued by the partner organisation at the end of the course.

We found interagency meetings and events were an excellent way of raising the profile of

the project and helping us meet new organisations to work with.

The Health Improvement Coordinators in all three areas were excellent at opening doors for

us and ensuring the project gained support from other professionals in the 3 areas.

Additional Learning Support

The WEA has a Learning Support scheme where people with disabilities or additional

learning needs are able to have a WEA worker to assist them in being able to fully

participate in the class. The CEBH project has been able to access this support and several

learners have made use of, and valued, this support.

Page 6

Courses

= Fitness and Exercise Courses

= Confidence, Self Esteem and Wellbeing Courses – some using a variety of creative arts as a tool

= Healthy Lifestyle Courses

Courses run during the project

Fit Can Be Fun 11

Tai Chi 9

Confidence and Assertiveness 6

Dance Fit / Strictly For Fun 4

Healthy Eating 3

Confidence Through Creativity 2

Healthy Families 1

Words and Wellbeing 1

Confident Crafts 1

Women’s Wellbeing 1

Because You’re Worth It 1

Women Getting Fitter 1

Positive living 1

Personal Development Through

Poetry and Painting 1

Total Courses Run 43

Page 7

Page 10

Some Learner Feedback at the very Heart of our report

More confidence in balance and mobility. Enjoy the activity and the company. Our teacher is so nice with smile every time. Teaching methods are excellent. I

recently had knee surgery. I feel much better after joining the course. I feel more confident. I look forward to another course in the near future. I got more confidence

and feel much better now . I would like to say Please I would like to attend more exercises. We enjoyed it very much. I have lost a lot of weight and feeling very good

for myself we like dancing more. Thank you. I feel confident doing exercises. I feel strengthen in my body. I have lost weight. I improve my English. I really enjoy the

course I feel much better overall after going to the course. This is my social event and I meet my friends. I feeling very good health wise. I was very lazy but I feel

very fit and want to do a lot more. My children are happy to see me happy all the time. Tremendous progress I feel I have made on this fantastic course and marvellous

tutor. I feel more confident and motivated able to do things on my own and join a slimmer’s club with positive results. I have learnt a lot and laughed a lot because

of the other people on the course. I especially liked the self defence/personal safety session and the sessions about depression and how to combat it. Eating healthier

and understanding stress related foods. Slightly less anxious less ostracised. Life is generally changing for the better. Have enjoyed the Tai Chi it has helped me in my

balance and posture. I am more flexible – very good for my health. It has given me more confidence in myself and have better balance. Very well taught. I have

enjoyed exploring my artistic talents, getting to know other people in the group. I feel more confident and I am enjoying it. Very good and there is always disabled

toilets, which being in a wheelchair is very good. This has made me realise there are things I can do!!! Support workers are always available and they are my

hands when needed: because I can’t use my hands very well any more. Exercises have helped my circulation to improve. I do feel more relaxed with a range of

issues. Have noticed that I am much more aware of having had dreams. I put this down to being more relaxed. I still wake up several times a night, but rarely stay awake

for long. Balance greatly improved as with coordination, social skills and relaxation. I walk more and eat healthier due to learning that benefits the mind and body.

I have learned how to communicate, reduce stress and worry. I can communicate better with people, better skills I would not have known before. Have learnt to be more careful, sociable,

relaxed and motivated. Not as tired – more alert. Relaxation. Easier movement, balance. I have gained reduced stress and improved health and greater confidence. I am feeling much more

like my ‘old self’ and I am more assertive and less aggressive and less defensive. Did not expect it to be so informative and gain so much guidance for an improved lifestyle in such a

short time. Positive thinking is the key. I have been happier, more assertive and have completely changed my life. I have lost a stone in weight, therefore have more confidence, more

energy, feel better in myself, which is obvious to anyone close to me. I can do more than I think I can. Reading my work out loud has given me more confidence in my reading skills and

in my ability to read out loud. Hi Hen, some brilliant poems! I’ve learned a lot on the course, learnt how to cope with difficult students and how to access different agencies. I never

used to go out without someone with me. I’m now catching the bus on my own to this course and I’m a lot more confident. I feel I have progressed well since doing this course I have

quit smoking and started back at the gym. I feel I have greater confidence and greatly reduced stress. I didn’t realise how far I had come until doing this form. I still take things personally

but not as much; and I am now learning to take positive criticism. I am less stressed. My confidence has improved for the better. I particularly liked the way the course was ‘moulded’ to

suit the need of the group. Really lovely tutor who delivered the course specifically to our needs. The course has made me realise that I can do things, for example I am now taking a

Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS). I would not have entered the college to look at a course before this, yet alone enrol on one

I lost weight and inches from my waist, and my thyroid activity improved. I lost my weight and good effect on blood pressure. I am more active and feeling much

better. More relaxed – may it carry on. I used to stay at home all the time I start coming out now. I used to have blood pressure. I have normal blood pressure. Thank you.

I have lost weight. Thanks you. Feel better within self. Easy metabolism. Better sleeping. Eating more healthy. Have lost weight. Blood sugar approaching normal.

Taking more exercise. I am more relaxed and happy please may the course go on. Stress levels much decreased. Doctor recommended daily checks of my blood

pressure as it was very high when checked on the course. I feel as if I have been able to get thru’ difficult therapy sessions by having this course as a creative outlet. It

has helped me a tremendous amount. I feel I have gained more confidence. Having a chat with the Health Checker I feel has helped me as far as problems I have had with

my physical health. I feel that I am much more aware of tension in muscles and joints, and of my body’s position in space, and consequently of balance. I feel this

is something I can now do for myself @ home at a low level, and would feel confident in joining a course again. Fun and relaxed – confident. I am more motivated and

flexible but still struggling with my weight. The instructor was fantastic. Had fun and laughs. It is a lovely relaxed atmosphere where you can do as much or as little as

you like. Feel more comfortable standing during the exercises now. The support David gave was excellent. It has made a Big impact to my health. I am more upright

and arms are getting much better, can bend from waist more easily. Muscles working better, flexibility improved. Gains in flexibility, mobility, coordination and

confidence. Have thoroughly enjoyed it and it has made a difference to me and my Physio thoroughly recommends it

Continued on next page

Page 9 Page 8

Learner Feedback ( continued)

Weight loss and more mobile. The tutor was very patient with us. Much more alert

and not so stressed. The course is very beneficial. The tutor was very compassionate,

very helpful and put people at their ease. I certainly learned a lot in the few weeks the

course ran. I went to the doctor about an ongoing health problem after talking with

the health advisor and have now started to receive treatment and advice for coping

with it. I feel more relaxed/less anxious doing the course has really helped. Asthma has

improved have not needed the inhaler as much. Sleep pattern gone to pot but all other

parts have improved. It has given me time out and reduced stress. I’ve felt more

positive and now realise I’ve got to be stricter with my diet to see a change. Lost

weight. Lower blood pressure. Have more energy. Loss of weight and more motivated.

John told me the course had spurred him on and he is now going line dancing and goes

walking. Feel much better and it has helped my arthritis. My attitude has improved to

the need to stay fit and eat healthily. I absolutely adored it!

I enjoyed the company. The dancing is good exercise. It made me more mobile and

helped my balance. I would like to do more. I am now cooking with more thought

about what to cook and how to cook things. One learner who doesn’t normally feel

comfortable enough to eat in front of others, tried all the foods offered on the course. He

also made one of these recipes at home. I stopped smoking, do more exercise & eat

healthier now. Totally happy with the course overall. In fact it has done more for me

than my physiotherapy did previously. Quit smoking! Raised awareness in fitness and

discovered I like to dance. I feel less stressed. I have more confidence. Feel fitter.

Fitness has improved. Feel Healthier. Had fun. Reduced stress and lowered blood

pressure. Met some lovely people. Nice to have a bit of ‘me’ time without feeling

guilty.Blood pressure lowered. A bit more happy in myself. I think my confidence is

so low and I have so little belief in myself I found it very difficult to ‘Believe’ what I was

being told. I feel I have learned how to manage and reduce my stress levels by

practicing Tai Chi moves. Tutor very good, patient and gave us

health tips etc. We loved it. Can we carry on these classes after

New Year as well. More of this. Music was excellent, it made

exercise fun to do. It always makes me feel more cheerful. I

can lift my arms higher. I like doing something in groups. I’ve

lost weight with your course and eating less. A lot more alert.

I have been getting off to sleep more easily and waking up in the

morning not quite so early. I feel more confident and happy.

I’ve learned there are a lot of others with the same problems

and that you are not alone. A bit less creaky. We are all

‘Loose Women’ now!! All these quotes are taken from the WEA „Tell Us About It‟ evaluation forms,

course learning records, or tutor reports. All are held on file at the WEA West

Midlands Regional Office

Page 10

Case Studies

AC is a lovely young woman with trust and confidence issues. She came out of her shell during the Personal Development Through Poetry and Painting course in Kidderminster and was the first to volunteer when I asked for someone to talk about their experiences of the course:

I came originally from ASHA. I thought I would be no good but got convinced to come along and give it a

try. I was nervous but gave it a go. Poetry and pictures have helped me get stuff out. It’s tough but it’s fun.

I can either do my own thing or work on what everybody else is doing. Sarah’s pretty good, too. Very

encouraging and makes everyone feel a bit important.

I shouldn’t be so hard in putting myself down the whole time. This course is like a safe sanctuary in a way.

I think I could do more with my creative side now than I did originally.

And just a few lines from her poem “Alien”:

So as I feel this anger bubbling up

I hope that I don’t lash out at myself.

But even more don’t,

I hope, don’t believe I’m an alien again

JC attended the Fit Can be Fun course in Bromsgrove run for Bromsgrove District Housing Trust. He was a regular participant in a 5 week taster course. The following term he enrolled on the course but only managed to attend on the first and last week as he is a carer for his wife and also has commitments as a minibus driver for a voluntary organisation.

We expected from this that he would not get very much benefit from this course. However, when he came to the last week of the course he surprised everybody by saying that he had lost 8lb in weight during the time we had not seen him. Having his weight taken at the start of the course had been the spur he needed to change his diet and take more exercise. He used the handouts on healthy eating that he had been given the previous term. His wife had also lost weight through this process even though she did not attend the courses.

Mr H attends Arch Hill Court and took part in the Healthy Eating course. He had suffered poor health and had a triple by-pass. He is in and out of hospital and does not very often participate in the activities that are on offer. He is unable to stand for very long and finds it hard to cook complicated and lengthy recipes. His interests include cooking.

Mr H joined the Healthy eating course and enjoyed it immensely. He participated and learnt a lot. He also commented that he found confidence as he didn't realise he had so much to contribute. He was very disappointed when the course came to an end. He particularly enjoyed tasting the food, which gave him ideas on cooking for one and realised that he could retain his independence and cook the food he liked to eat. Mr H's confidence has grown so much since this course, that he now attends many other groups. He even appeared in a film about the credit crunch! Mr H has gleaned a lot of advice on eating food, which will help him keep well. He now understands the labels on food and the difference between saturated fats and unsaturated fats.

W attended a Tai Chi course at Sandycroft in Redditch While we were reviewing the course on the last day she described the effect that her anxiety and paranoia had been having on her life. She said that the combination of the support from the mental health project at Sandycroft and the Tai Chi with us had helped her get things into perspective and see her difficulties as a „blip in her life instead of controlling her life‟. She described how she used the techniques she had learned in the Tai Chi sessions to keep herself calm when she felt pressure building up. This was helping her stay in control and react less emotionally to situations.

Page 11

Health Measurements

Our biggest challenge was gathering and collation of the health measurements. Our intention was to take blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, and waist measurements at the start and end of each course. We found that it was not always possible to collect 2 measures as not everyone was present at both sessions. As the project developed more confidence type courses we offered the measurements to these classes as well, but as a one off measurement. Fitness was unlikely to improve as a direct result of these classes. We found that this acted as a motivational force and encouraged some people to make lifestyle changes We devised an information sheet to give out during the health measuring which gave

learners information about blood pressure readings. We felt we needed to do this to ensure

no one went away after the session and started to worry if their readings were a little high

28 people were advised to ask their GP to check their blood pressure as a result of our checks. We did not ask for the results of these checks but several learners came back and told us that there had been a positive response from their GP and changes had been made to medication etc. Health measurement information is confidential and not stored with the registers and enrolment forms. Start and end measurements are entered onto an Excel spreadsheet in a way that enables us to extract relevant information as needed. We did find a difficulty that there was no separate space at many of our venues and it was difficult to maintain confidentiality in an open space. Learners often wanted to talk about specific health issues during the health checks and in group sessions as well. We maintained professional boundaries about what we could and could not help with but ensured that learners were supported in accessing medical help where needed. This sometimes took the form of helping them prepare for a visit to their GP by ensuring they were clear about what they needed to say and to ask. We were pleased that the courses often inspired people to make lifestyle changes. The measurement process, tutor input, course handouts and peer support from group members all played a big part in this.

As well as the improved measurements our evaluation forms show the following outcomes:

Improved health and/or fitness 240 completed forms Felt their health/fitness/flexibility/ stress/sleep pattern has improved as a result of this course

Much better 120

A little better 117 A little worse 2 Much worse

Improved awareness of how to adopt healthy lifestyles 279 completed forms Received health education information during the course (Making Changes/Diet/Exercise etc)

Excellent 127

Good 128 Satisfactory 14 Disappointing

Confidence in accessing public health and/or social care 225 completed forms Received local health information during the course and rated it as:

Excellent 90

Good 119 Satisfactory 9 Disappointing

Raising Health Awareness 222 completed forms Members of the public who completed our health awareness quiz at a variety of events across the 3 areas

Page 12

Issues

Recruitment of learners We found that offering courses to partner organisations and them recruiting the learners was more effective than putting on our courses in isolation. Initially we would hire a venue and then undertake very labour intensive door to door leafleting to try to attract learners. Although we had some positive outcomes from this we refocused our efforts into providing classes for partner organisations as this gave them an opportunity to add a new element to their programme as well as ongoing support for our learners Health Measures Our biggest challenge was gathering and collation of the health measurements. Our intention was to take blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, and waist measurements at the start and end of each course. We found that it was not always possible to collect 2 measures. Some people did not attend the last session when the measurements were taken. Sometimes participants changed during the course (see next section) so we may not have had start measurements for some of the people who attended the last session. Also the health measurements were taken by one person to ensure consistency. Tutors need to have a greater ownership of the health measurements and monitoring process in any future project Education v Social Meeting One unexpected difficulty that we encountered through our work with partners in the community was that not all learners understood that they were enrolling in an educational course, particularly elderly learners through sheltered accommodation. We were working with them during what they essentially saw as a social meeting. This meant that some people came some weeks and not others. This was no reflection in the quality of the course they saw this slot as their social time and this was their normal pattern of attendance. This caused difficulties for the tutors in managing enrolment forms and monitoring retention of learners and it was not easy to have accurate start and end health measurements. Health Improvement We also had concerns with how we show health improvement For example, if a person improved their waist measurement a little but their blood pressure and BMI was all up we could say that they had made a health improvement. We have tried to stay within the spirit of the expectations of the health improvement measurements and demonstrate real improvements. Another difficulty is that blood pressure is so variable according to a range of external factors such as when a person last exercised, when they last ate/drank etc. A few points each way on the measurements mean very little; unlike height, blood pressure is an indicator rather than a fixed measure. We need to redesign our health evaluation form as learners think the question about the local health packs duplicates an earlier question and so are not answering the question. This has led to us being less able to demonstrate achievement for this outcome

PARQ’s Before anyone undertakes a physical activity with the WEA we ensure that they complete a Physical Activity Readiness Form (PARQ). This asks questions about their physical health and if there is any doubt they are asked to check with their GP. This process was used with CEBH but we found that, particularly with the older learners, the list of conditions and medication would appear to rule them out of undertaking most forms of physical activities. It was not practical to ask for GP permission for nearly the whole class and most people were well aware of what they could and could not do. The tutors used this information to ensure the activity was scaled down to an appropriate level and a close eye was kept on individuals.

Page 14

This has been a very successful pilot project reaching 520 learners through 43

courses.

The pilot has met its objectives and has developed good practice in working

with people with a wide range of physical, mental and emotional needs

We have evolved from a mainly physical activity programme to a holistic

package of physical activity, health education e.g. healthy eating, confidence,

creativity and aspiration raising courses.

We have learned lessons along the way and the following outlines what

improvements we would take forward to a new project in the future

We are happy to share our experiences of developing this project. Contact us if you would like further information

Lessons Learned

Continue to work through partners

for recruitment of learners

Tutors need greater ownership of

the health monitoring process

Tutors need more training in taking

health measurements

The health evaluation form needs

revising for clarity and ease of use

Any future work would look to

increase the number of male

learners

Clarity needed with partners and

learners regarding commitment to

whole course

Future bids need to reflect the blood

pressure is only an indicator and

not a fixed measure

WEA need to revise PARQ‟s in light

of our experience with elderly/infirm

learners

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What Next?

This has been a very successful pilot. We have achieved most of our targets and over

achieved on many. We have built good working relationships with our partners. We have

stayed within the spirit of the bid and ensured we genuinely worked with learners from the

hotspot areas, who were in need of our services.

The WEA is actively seeking continuation funding but in the current economic climate this is

by no means certain. In the meantime the WEA will allocate core funding wherever possible.

This has implications for class size and length of courses, as these must conform to core

funding criteria. There will also have to be fees for the courses although there is full fee

remission for people on income related benefits.

The good practice developed through this project, and the lessons learned, will be used by

the WEA in the development of future delivery in the social education field.

Other initiatives that have been as a result of this project are:

Reachout to Carers

The WEA developed a short term project for carers through Department of Health funding.

This involved running workshops for carers which helped them to learn activities they could

do which helped them cope with the pressures of caring for a partner or relative in their own

homes as well as receiving advice and information. This 3 month project had 116

attendances by carers from across Worcestershire who attended workshops including Tai

Chi, Healthy Eating, Stress Management and Hand Massage, Computer use, Art and

Expression Fit Can Be Fun and Creative Crafts

Reablement

As one of 8 Bridge Builders the WEA is managing and delivering a Reablement project for

Worcestershire County Council. This newly started project in Worcester will work with

referred individuals recovering from mental health problems. This will involve using some of

the activities from the CEBH project and make use of the lessons learned.

Mental health

The CEBH project has proved the need to work with people with low level, chronic mental

health issues below the threshold for statutory services. This work will be continued by the

WEA through its mainstream programme while looking for additional funding to develop this

work.

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Acknowledgments

Funders

With grateful thanks to the Worcester Partnership for funding this pilot project. This funding has

enabled the WEA to develop innovative work in the Health Hotspot areas in the north of

Worcestershire.

Particular thanks to Traci Lloyd-Moore, Worcestershire Partnership Policy Officer (Health

Improvement), for her advice, support and her ability to help us find solutions to difficulties.

Partners

This project would not have had the success that it has without the support of our partner

organisations in the area. We have been able to work with a wide range of existing partners and

the project had enabled the WEA to forge strong links with organisations that it has not had the

opportunity to work with before. Learners have benefited from this joint working and there has

been mutual benefit for the WEA and the partner organisations.

The Health Improvement Coordinators in all three areas have been very helpful in ensuring that we were

able to make the right connections and contacts.

Tutors and Learning Support Workers

Our tutors and learning support workers have been the key to the success of the project and our

ability to meet targets. The encouragement and motivation they have given, and the way they

have inspired learners, is second to none.

They are not only experts in their subject areas but they have shown great skill in the way they

have adapted delivery to suit the needs of the less able learners

Learners

We have had the privilege to work with some amazing people during the course of this pilot.

Learners have trusted us with personal information and have allowed us to be a part of their

attempts to make improvements in their lives.

We have learned from them, at the same time as being able to offer them skills, support and

encouragement. Long may their improvements continue.

With Thanks to All

Contact Us

For further information about this project

Jan Hall WEA Programme Area Manager

Mobile: 07896 2467 03

Email: jhall@wea.org.uk

or

Hazel Wallis CEBH Project Organiser

Mobile: 07766 5588 45

Email: hwallis@wea.org.uk

We have the quarterly reports available which give much greater detail on the

work of the CEBH project. We are happy to send them to interested parties on

request

For further information about the work of the WEA

WEA West Midlands Region

4th Floor Lancaster House

67 Newhall Street

Birmingham B3 1NQ

Email: westmidlands@wea.org.uk

Telephone: 0121 237 8120

Fax: 0121 237 8121

www.westmidlands.wea.org.uk

The Workers' Educational Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (number 1112775) and in Scotland (number SC039239) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 2806910). www.wea.org.uk

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