Celebrating the uniqueness of Local Area Coordination
The Local Area Coordination Team in Havering reflect on what makes Local Area Coordination such a unique and powerful support to people.
The Havering Local Area Coordination (LAC) team are proud to be in our 6th year and proud to be part of the LAC Network!
At each leadership group, we tell a story of a person with whom we have shared a journey. We also calculate the money it has potentially saved the system.
One of the LACs has been walking alongside a person who has used her own lived experience to help set up a ‘users and carers forum’ for people living with mental health issues.
In addition, with the LAC’s support, she has been instrumental in setting up a ‘drop-in’ café seven days a week in a brand new building, where anyone can walk in for mental health support. It’s taken a while to get to where things are now, but both the forum and drop-in have been appreciated and valued by residents across the borough and also by other people who are supported by a Havering LAC. It has been noted as a really valuable piece of co-production work and has been acknowledged by the wider mental health trust.
We have formed some exciting partnerships over the past year, one with a local charity that supports women who have insecure housing situations. Together, we created a Christmas voucher scheme so women could get presents for their children.
A testimonial:
“I came from another borough to Havering whilst pregnant, my family cut me off so I had nobody. I was placed in a foster home with my baby when he was born.
I was introduced to a Local Area Coordinator who encouraged me to go along to the ReStore with a voucher.
I was a bit nervous about going but the staff were amazing and created a friendly and welcoming environment at the Christmas shop. The Christmas workshop was fun. Staff helped to entertain the baby so I could join in and I made a Christmas wreath.
Staff also helped me to pick a particular Christmas present as I was unsure. I had the voucher to help as would not be able to buy all of the items I wanted otherwise.
I managed to get something for my baby and also something for my foster carer. I had such a lovely time.’’
We are working with increasing numbers of families who are at risk of homelessness and we do this in a respectful and person-centred way, helping to de-mystify processes and walk with people though this frightening experience.
There is continuous feedback in various (sometimes unexpected) settings about the value of Local Area Coordinators in Havering. The increasing demand evidences the importance and effectiveness of the LAC approach.
The Havering team recognises our own need for LAC support too and we try to embed those values in our support for one another. We also like to laugh and be silly because the work is hard and can be emotionally impactful, although the rewards are uniquely powerful.