About the National Social Inclusion Programme
'Vision and Progress: Social Inclusion and Mental Health'
The National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) launched its ‘Vision and Progress’ report on 12th March, 2009.
The report sets out the achievements of NSIP since the 2004 Mental Health and Social Exclusion report by the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) - see below. It reviews the last four years in light of our activity at national, regional and local level. It highlights the progress that has been made across the statutory and non-statutory sectors and highlights the additional value of work beyond our formal remit; work that has sought to reach out to non-traditional services and partners to champion the social inclusion agenda in sometimes unfamiliar areas.
It also provides an assessment of the remaining and continuing challenges that need to be addressed for improved outcomes for people with mental health problems. This is based on feedback from national and regional social inclusion leads across mental health and health services, local authorities and regional bodies, as well as information gathered through an analysis of progress and gaps with provider organisations at a local level.
The report is intended to be a further resource for policy makers, regional agencies and services to ensure that this important work is sustained and developed in the future.
To download the 'Vision and Progress: Social Inclusion and Mental Health', please follow this link.
To download the 'Vision and Progress: Social Inclusion and Mental Health' press notice, please follow this link.
The Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) published its report ‘Mental Health and Social Exclusion' in June 2004. The report's immediate impact is directed at improving the lives of people with mental health problems by reducing or eliminating barriers to employment and wider social participation. However it has great potential also to impact significantly across service areas, client populations and on the health, engagement and economic position of wider communities.
The National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) at NIMHE has brought together the work of government departments and other organisations in a concerted effort to challenge attitudes, to enable people to fulfil their aspirations and to significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for people with mental health problems.
The Report's Actions Points
The report sets out a 27-point action plan to bring together the work of government departments and other organisations in a concerted effort to challenge attitudes, enable people to fulfil their aspirations, and significantly improve opportunities and outcomes for this excluded group. Action falls into six categories:
- Stigma and discrimination - a sustained programme to challenge negative attitudes and promote awareness of people's rights;
- The role of health and social care in tackling social exclusion - implementing evidence-based practice in vocational services and enabling reintegration into the community;
- Employment - giving people with mental health problems a real chance of sustained paid work reflecting their skills and experience;
- Taking part in the local community - enabling people to lead fulfilling lives the way they choose;
- Getting the basics right - access to decent homes, financial advice and transport; and
- Making it happen - clear arrangements for leading this programme and maintaining momentum.
Following on from the report, a further publication of 12 fact sheets ‘Action on Mental Health' was launched in October 2004 to offer practical tips to improve opportunities and outcomes for people. For more information about the CSIP National Social Inclusion Programme, visit the website http://www.socialinclusion.org.uk
