The Ventnor Wellbeing Cafe has contributed to research by Rachael Middle (Isle of Wight NHS Trust) and Dr Lindsay Welch (Wessex Academic Health Sciences Network) with support from lived-experience advisors, Richard Ensor and Nathan Clifford.
The aim of the research was to understand the impact of digital exclusion on people’s health and potential facilitators to increased digital use. This research has now been published and can be viewed on the Website.
A very positive experience
Members of the Ventnor Wellbeing Cafe found participating in this research a very positive experience – their views helped to shape the findings of the research and outlined the problems experienced by those experiencing poor mental health.
The Co-ordinator, Terri, said,
“We are so proud to be able to participate in such a prestigious project and for our views to be taken up by policy makers.”
Outcomes from the research
Isle of Wight NHS Trust have received funding from the Q Community to implement some of the recommendations that came out of the research.
This includes, recruiting a mental health peer support worker with a focus on digital coaching, working with organisations already offering digital support such as Age UK, Independent Arts and Isle of Wight council, to support access to their services, and upskilling digital inclusion champions in NHS mental health teams.
Ventnor Wellbeing Cafe are continuing to be involved in this work, working with the peer support worker and digital inclusion champions to raise awareness of this important area.
Middle: A very special place, offering inclusive support and kindness to anyone in Ventnor
The lead researcher, Rachael Middle received support from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration ARC Wessex and was funded by an NIHR ARC Wessex Internship.
Rachael said,
“Ventnor Wellbeing Cafe is a very special place, offering inclusive support and kindness to anyone in Ventnor who would benefit from informal support with their mental wellbeing.
“I am so grateful to the Cafe for supporting this research, sharing their experiences and for their passion for raising awareness of inequalities in access to digital tools.
“I am excited for the progress we can make working together and the difference it will hopefully make for people on the Island.”
Image: Members of the Well-being Cafe and the researchers – Left to Right – David, Rose, Linda, Elle and Rachael (Researchers), Holly with Winnie the Pug, Terri – the Cafe Co-ordinator, Judith and Wilma
News shared by Tony on behalf of Ventnor Well-being Cafe. Ed
