Yorkshire and Humber Regional Learning Network meets in Sheffield: What is a therapuetic community?

What is the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Learning Network?

Our mission statement is:

“To enable all involved to share new experiences and learn from each other, regardless of roles. To explore and develop ‘identity’ and embrace the future with optimism and hope.”

The learning network is inspired by those people who use services and/or support people with personality disorder or who identify with the diagnosis. Each event takes a different theme to explore, discuss, debate and consider. The first event looked at finding out what learning networks were all about with a range of workshops for individuals to find out what was happening in different areas. The second event explored a range of themes relating to ‘What is a therapeutic community?’ TC refers to the broad term of Therapeutic Community. The third event was held in the Humber part of our region and focused on occupation and personality disorder with the title 'From Doing to Becoming.'

Thursday, 10 December 2009

What is a therapuetic community?

The following text is the feedback from the 2nd Regional Learning Network held at the Retreat in York on the 28th May 2009.

More information is available at www.personalitypathways.co.uk

I’ve learnt that however well thought through and considered the approach to incorporating TC principles into more budget conscious approaches early life experiences that are traumatic need sustained effort from both the patient (resident) and the service to bring about lasting change however significant, and that like a virus it lingers and can return.

I’ve learnt that you don’t have to be creative to be able to put something on paper. I’ve learnt that a lot of emotions can be expressed through art.

I have learnt that patients have to take responsibility of their behaviour and how it impacts on others around them. Dishing out medication is not the answer when patients are distressed/anxious. Instead it’s a cultivation of another problem.

I’ve learnt that actually even some health care professionals understand what a deep hole BPD sufferers can find themselves in and how difficult and lengthy recovery can be.

I’ve learnt there are many different ways of working with people/together – more drama therapy! More horticultural therapy!

I have learnt that I can join in this community called the world.

I have learnt today that there is scope for change in reducing the stigma of mental illness and that I AM capable of doing a speech and I HAVE A VOICE TOO!

Thank you to all those who took part in sharing their experiences and ways of working.

I have learnt that a TC will pay for itself in 16 months (but I would like the reference please?) (Ta).

Wide variety of creativity on the day – in short space of time. Nice willingness to open up and share with the group. Found this very inspiring.

Drama – all involved opened up and created a great environment to be creative.

People who felt shy were able to get lost in the activity, big thanks for offering the opportunity.

Creativity was wonderful way to find self and illustrates the brain – how to remember peoples names and all the emotions it opened up.

Strangers making friends and connections quickly, difficult to do.

Relaxed atmosphere, smiling and laughter.

The grounds aided in the environment.

Change of emotion from the positive smiles to the ‘inner chicken’.