Overview
Despite our love of formal training, much of the evidence suggests that learning happens between people and is best facilitated by peers. Creating a learning environment is key to all our work and, although never directly funded, our focus during our work in Newsham Park was to create an enabling network. This meant that we worked hard to foster relationships between different groups within the local community.
These differences in ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status were only reinforced by the ways in which funding was targeted at particular groups or particular problems. To overcome that, we deliberately sought to keep all activities open to everyone, not only on paper but in spirit. We also sought to create a safe psychological environment that enabled people to connect across perceived differences and find common ground between them.
The evidence of the success of this informal network can be found in the number of ongoing friendships between former participants and the extent to which the network-enabled people to share resources, help, experience and advice in ways that did not encourage dependency or foster shame.
The Enabling Network
NEWSHAM PARK
The following organisations and initiatives Tree House is either working to support or aligns with their values around social prescribing, social wellbeing, mindfulness and connectivity.
The following organisations and initiatives Tree House is either working to support or aligns with their values around social prescribing, social wellbeing, mindfulness and connectivity.
SERVICES
About Tree House
Project Delivery
Partners & Clients
Following the success of the prison-based project, we were commissioned to run a similar project, this time-based in the community. The participants were predominantly women but were drawn from a wide range of educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
Together, they went on a journey of self-discovery which, like the inmates before them, culminated in them committing to plans for a future life they wished to bring about. A year later, 50% of participants reported that they had a greater sense of both physical and mental wellbeing than they had at the start of the programme.
The details of their journey were as diverse as the participants. Some had changed jobs. One had left a 32-year abusive relationship. What they had in common was that a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence has resulted in them taking proactive steps to improve things for themselves.
Learning How To Fly
Overview
