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FOCUS
FOCUS
Introduction
FOCUS (Freedom of Choice United Services) is a unique and innovative structure within The Richmond Fellowship Scotland. It involves paid staff, FOCUS members, volunteers, and the people we support in the work of the organisation.
FOCUS was established in 2004 and replaced the National Service Users Association. At that time three distinct priorities were identifed for FOCUS to take forward.
Challenging Stigma
Staff Training
FOCUS Service Feedback
Future Developments
As part of the Strategic Plan for 2009-2012 FOCUS will be reviewed. This review will use a Project Management Approach. Our intention is to further improve how the people we support participate in the national development of our charitable organisation. The FOCUS Review Group will therefore work to identify how the people we support, in all projects and services, are given a clear and loud voice. This is part of our commutment to continous improvement.
Who works for FOCUS?
The Richmond Fellowship Scotland employs 15 people as Regional Coordinators. Each is employed on a part time basis and all have personal experience of being supported by services. The Regional Coordinators are located in services around Scotland. Their role is to recruit and enable other supported individuals to become FOCUS members, so that they can contribute to exisiting priorities or can partictipate in other ways.
The Regional Coordinators are supported by the FOCUS Development Team which is based in the headquarters of The Richmond Fellowship Scotland in Stepps, North Lanarkshire. The team comprises of:
FOCUS Manager, Eddy Gorman
FOCUS Development Officer, Stephanie Stephenson (Challenging Stigma)
FOCUS Development Officer, James Thomson (Staff Training)
FOCUS Development Officer, Jenny Hull (FOCUS Service Feedback).
The Development Officers provide regular support and supervision for every Regional Coordinator, and this involves ensuring that each individual's training and personal development needs are being met.
The entire FOCUS team meet every quarter at the National Forum. This event is attended by members of The Richmond Fellowship Scotland's Senior Management Team.
Challenging Stigma
Challenging Stigma, intolerance and discrimination in our society is an important priority for the people we support. Everyone can make a difference by getting invovled in local and national campaigns which are organised by FOCUS. Our campaigns aim to raise awareness of the prevalence of stigma in schools, in workplaces and in the wider community.
Staff Training
Our staff group have regularly reported that training in mental health, physical and learning disabilities is more effective when informed by the real life experience of people with those conditions. Our staff will aquire essential skills from professional training, but can also develop empathy and insight from listening to the people we support. FOCUS therefore recruits supported people as Co-facilitators to assist with staff learning and development.
FOCUS Service Feedback
The Richmond Fellowship Scotland is committed to listening to the people we support in services. One way we do this is by FOCUS members interviewing supported people, so we learn about each individual's personal experiences of receiving support. We are aware of the significant communication barriers that exist for some of the people we support, and are working to develop effective methods and techniques for overcoming barriers so that we can gather and respond to feedback.
Training and Employability
Those supported by services have the opportunity to participate in voluntary and project based work, either as FOCUS Regional Coordinators or as FOCUS Members. Individuals will receive skills based training, which will raise self esteem and confidence. Individuals can use their skills and expertise to make an authentic contribution that is valued throughout The Richmond Fellowship Scotland.
For more information about the work of FOCUS, please contact:
Eddy Gorman
FOCUS Manager
3 Buchanan Gate
Buchanan Gate Business Park
Cumbernauld Road
Stepps
North Lanarkshire
G33 6FB
Tel: 0845 013 6360
Fax: 0845 013 6399
e-mail: egorman@trfs.org.uk
- Craig's Story
Craig McKeon is a FOCUS Co-ordinator for the North region. He is supported by the Perth Supported Living Service. - Edie's Story
Edie Gledhill is a FOCUS Co-ordinator for the East region. She is supported by Fife Floating Support.