This page gives mental health care professionals information about the project, the support it offers and how they can refer clients.
For a downloadable version of the Back to Life referral form please click here.
Introducing Back to Life
Back to Life is coordinated by TimeBank and aims to tackle the social isolation faced by young adults with mental health issues. The project uses similar age, same sex volunteer mentors to support these young adults to engage with their local community, access relevant services and rebuild their confidence. The project is funded by the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) Charitable Trust and operates in the Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham areas of London.
TimeBank is a national registered charity that tackles social issues by creating new opportunities for people to give their time, in ways that inspire them and match their lives. In the past seven years, TimeBank has engaged over 250,000 people in volunteering. TimeBank works in partnership with the voluntary, public and private sectors.
The impact
We have been delivering Back to Life since 2005 and our mentees have identified the following as positive outcomes from participating in the project:
- A reduction in feelings of isolation
- An increase in confidence and self-esteem
- Increased access to social networks
- Increased engagement in activities including education, training and employment, volunteering or social
- Less dependency on mental health services
Mentee suitability criteria
For a mentee to be accepted on the project they must meet the following criteria:
- Aged 18-35
- Referred by SLaM services, with completed referral form
- No recent history of violence (within the last two years)
- In process of recovering from mental illness
- Wants to be involved with the project
- Understands the principles of the project
Referral process
- Ensure that your client meets the mentee suitability criteria (see above).
- Complete the downloadable referral form with your client.
- Once a referral form is received by the Project Coordinator, they will email or phone to acknowledge the receipt and confirm whether or not the service user is suitable for the project at this stage.
- The Project Coordinator will arrange a convenient time to meet with you and your client. This is a chance to explain the project further and get an idea of what type of mentor would be suitable. A mentee induction may be conducted if appropriate or an additional appointment will be made to deliver this.
- Mentees may be deselected at this stage if they are not suitable for the project.
Mentoring
Mentors will meet for at least five hours a month for between six and twelve months. The meetings take place in the community, outside of the person’s house, in order for the client to engage with new people, new activities and new places.
The Project Coordinator will facilitate the first meeting at a location convenient to both mentor and mentee and then remain nearby to provide any help and support that is needed.
Mentoring is a goal driven approach and mentors help their mentees to identify their goals and break them down into manageable steps. These goals are flexible and client focused: they can range from those wishing to compile a CV or apply for work, to those wishing to start a new sport or activity or even those who just simply want to have the opportunity to talk to somebody new.
FAQs
Who are the mentors?
The mentors are men and women also aged 18-35 and they have a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. Every mentor is individual and brings unique skills and interests which are then matched to the client according to their needs. The mentors role is to be a non-clinical person who is focused on providing a consistent relationship outside the medical and home setting.
All mentors are provided with initial and on-going training by TimeBank and complete an enhanced CRB disclosure. They are required to send monthly feedback on the progress of the mentoring relationship to the Project Coordinator.
Which mental health services do you work with?
The project supports all mental health services across Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham including:
Acute wards (eg. ES2, DB2, LEO)
Community Mental Health Team: Assessment and Brief Treatment
Community Mental Health Team: Continuing Care Teams
STEP team (Early Intervention in Psychosis)
CREST Home Treatment Teams
Vocational Teams
Outreach and Support teams (e.g. OASIS)
The project also accepts self-referral or GP referral for those who are accessing/have accessed SLaM services.
If you are unsure if your client is suitable then please give Back to Life a call on the contact details below.
How does Back to Life work with Care Coordinators?
Back to Life and mentors try to work closely with all the people involved in the mentee’s life. It is often the Care Coordinator who makes the referral and the Project Coordinator will contact them to be present at the induction meeting. This gives the Care Coordinator a chance to find out more and for the client to feel comfortable about the induction process.
Mentors will be provided with the details of the Care Coordinator for their mentee and will contact them if they have any concerns over their wellbeing. In addition, some of the relationships result in close working with Care Coordinators in order to best support changes in the future.
Back to Life is also committed to keeping Care Coordinators up to date on the positive steps taken by clients and the progress they are making towards their goals.
I have a client who has accessed our service but now I am going to discharge them from our service, can I still refer?
Yes, that is not a problem but it is necessary to get past information about the client in order for us to match and support them in the best way. It is also helpful to have a person who is trusted by the client (usually the person making the referral) to be present at the induction meeting.
If a person is being discharged to another team or to their GP, then it will be necessary to have their contact details on record in case they need to be contacted in an emergency or if the mentor has concerns for the well being of their mentee.
For a downloadable version of the Back to Life referral form please click here.
