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Thistle Foundation: Supporting Health & Wellbeing in Scotland

The Thistle Foundation provides health and wellbeing services to support individuals with long-term conditions across Scotland. Through personalized care and a focus on individual strengths, we help people live full lives in their home communities. Our range of services includes supported self-management, lifestyle management courses, physical activity options, and volunteering opportunities.

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Thistle Foundation: Supporting Health & Wellbeing in Scotland

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  1. Presentation to: Scottish Government TITLE 20 December 2010

  2. Thistle Foundation: Who are we? • Founded in 1944 to provide housing, medical & rehab support to allow 100 WW II veterans to live with their families in Edinburgh. • We now support people with long term conditions across the central belt of Scotland to live full lives in their home communities by providing Health & Wellbeing Services. • This can be through ongoing care or short term support.

  3. Health and Wellbeing service • Supported self-management for anyone with a longterm health problem • Open door policy • Specific projects

  4. The way in which we work with people • Meet with everyone on a one to one basis for an initial consultation • Strengths based approach that focuses on peoples’ skills and resources • Aims to identify what matters to the person from the beginning (Personal Outcomes)

  5. The way in which we work with people • We don’t judge what issue should be tackled first or prescribe the same support for everyone. • We don’t have exclusion criteria • We do have a persistent focus on change – even small change

  6. Thistle Options • Courses • Supported exercise • One to one support • Volunteering

  7. Lifestyle Management courses • Ten week self management courses • Safe environment for each individual to explore self management • Interactive • Flexible format • Focus on small changes

  8. Physical activity options • Community gym • Approx 170 Active gym members • Offer a range of low level exercise options • Off site exercise options

  9. Volunteers 25 active volunteers Strong commitment A variety of roles Support and training Great successes

  10. Case studies

  11. Brian’s Story 1 • Brian joined the Marines at the age of 18. • He served 9 years and came out in 1982. • He then became a Close Protection Officer travelling between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. • After 2 years contract ended. • Brian then joined the Security Group News International in London, and soon was promoted to Site Inspector.

  12. Brian’s Story 2 • Brian then lost his job due to “self medicating” with alcohol. • PTSD at this point had not been diagnosed. Brian said ‘he did not understand his own mental state’. • A tenacious character, Brian then enrolled with Plater College in London and obtained a diploma in legal studies which led to further academic studies.

  13. Brian’s Story 3 • Brian then dropped out of university. • Also during this period his fiancee passed away. • He moved to London and after a short time found himself drinking heavily and also found himself homeless. • Eventually in 2000 a social worker supported Brian to get help with his mental health and to an understanding of a diagnosis of PTSD. • Only then Brian was awarded a well deserved War Pension and began to get the treatment and support he deserved.

  14. Brian’s Story 4 • Brian managed to maintain his own tenancy, in Surrey, for 5 years despite the fact he was still abusing alcohol. • Veterans’ Aid then suggested a move to Scotland for a fresh start. • Brian is currently a resident in Whitefoord House.

  15. Brian’s Story 5 • Brian had been in Whitefoord for only a few weeks when he ‘stumbled’ upon the Veterans’ Lifestyle Management course. • Brian said: “I was extremely nervous and curious, but as soon as I sat down I felt a great deal of acceptance and understanding, from both the facilitators and other course participants.

  16. Brian’s Story 6 • Brian attended the course for 10 weeks. • Brian’s reflection: “It made me much calmer. I enjoyed meeting like minded people. I realised very quickly that you put in what you want out of it! I recognised for the first time it was about walking the walk not talkin’ the talk!”

  17. Brian’s outcome! • During the course he recognised that his walking stick was a “psychological crutch.” • He spoke to his GP who agreed that he could “ditch the stick!” • Brian now walks upright and proud and is determined to: “exploit all possible opportunities that lead him to be able to support other veterans”

  18. Vicky’s story • Vicky came to the Thistle in 2008 – having struggled with post natal depression after the birth of her son • Supported by GP and local mental health service she started to use the Thistle gym • In 2009 she attended two LMCs and then became a Thistle volunteer

  19. Over the last five years • She has lost weight and increased her fitness • Been a committed volunteer • Become a positive role model for her family • Grown in confidence to take on new challenges

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