Better Pathways

Overview

Better Pathways engages with adults experiencing mental health problems on a pathway towards recovery using a person-centred approach through education, volunteering, employment.

What we do

Better Pathways provides a range of education, volunteering and employment services for adults with mental health problems. We offer a range of training courses, work experience placements in our social enterprises and volunteer opportunities in preparation for paid employment. We have over 50 years' experience and work with people across the whole spectrum of mental illness.

We deliver an information advice and guidance service (IAG) which starts with a 1-1 impartial interview with our skilled learning and work advisers. After options are explored a personal development plan is drawn up detailing goals, likely time scales, identified opportunities and support needs. The plan is regularly reviewed and adapted using a person-centred approach in order to reach successful outcomes.

Our income sources include:

• A prestigious 3-year contract with the Birmingham NHS Joint Commissioning Team for Mental Health to deliver Learning and Work services across Birmingham.
• A contract with West Midlands Probation Service to deliver training and employment opportunities to adults with mental ill health who are ex-offenders.
• Working in partnership with several consortia and networks such as Birmingham Disability Consortium and the BEST Network enables us to deliver a range of other employment service contracts.
• Grants and donations from a range of charitable trusts.

During 2014-15 we engaged with a total of 1,438 service users, of which 857 were new referrals during the year.

The outcomes show that:

• 399 people progressed onto a training course (this includes internal and mainstream)
• 120 people obtained volunteer placements (this includes internal & external volunteering)
• 536 people were supported into specific work related activity
• 54 people were successful in achieving paid job outcomes

How to access

We welcome new referrals through our single point of access via our referral form on our website.

We accept self-referrals, referrals from health professionals, social care teams, supported accommodation providers and other mental health support workers.

Our only criteria are that an individual should be between the age of 18-65, live in Birmingham and have a mental health condition.

An initial advice and guidance appointment will be made with one of our learning & work advisers and the menu of opportunities will be shared. This includes learning and volunteering opportunities, employment support as well as well-being activities.

We offer impartial advice about all of the opportunities across the City and pride ourselves on offering a person-centred recovery approach.

Better Pathways

201-206 Alcester Street
Digbeth
Birmingham
B12 0NQ