1. Evaluating the East Kent Life Story Project Roll out Ian Asquith, Assistant Psychologist Reinhard Guss, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, BPS Dementia Workstream Lead

2. Background- Why life story work? • Reminiscence work, including the process of creating a life story book, has been found to be beneficial to people with dementia (Woods et al, 2009). • Research has suggested that people with dementia enjoy doing the work, and staff and supporters find it beneficial (McKeown, Clarke and Repper, 2006). • Thompson (2011) noted that staff can often be time constrained, lack resources or knowledge to do work. • Previous project in 2011 based in Canterbury, but due to its success it was rolled out across East Kent (Rankin & Guss, 2011).

3. Aims of the project • Using life story work as a framework for to train student volunteers • To provide person centred one to one interaction for people with mental health problems on four older people’s in-patient facilities in East Kent. • Conducted a thorough evaluation from staff, volunteer and a cost effectiveness perspective.

4. How the project worked • Students would attend four in-patient wards in East Kent to provide the life story based work between September 2011 and May 2012. • They would attend at the same time each week, and stay for a set period of time (normally 2-3 hours). • Wards were informed of times and days the students would attend. • The aim was to try to identify people to work with, then attempt to make a book with the information they gave.

5. How was the project managed?

6. Volunteer recruitment • In collaboration with the Trust voluntary services department. • University of Kent Psychology Society volunteering evening. • Psychology Department Work Experience Scheme

7. Training and continued volunteer support • Based on 2011 life story project • Psychology Students from University of Kent • Given three training seminars; What is life story work? what is dementia? Being a volunteer in the NHS. • “reflective seminars” at three weekly intervals • Regular support through email with student on placement.

8. Cost effectiveness • Books made: 16 (2011: 9) • Retention rate: 73% (2011: 44%) • Hours contributed: 364 • Visits: 162 (2011: 172) • Cost per hour: £7.83 • Cost per book: £178.01

9. Staff evaluations- quantitative results summary • Staff were not completely sure what the project was, and when the students came. • Staff who were aware thought it was enjoyable, worthwhile and felt the students were reliable. • Most had not seen, read or knew where a life story book was kept. • Many staff could not comment on the project.

10. Staff evaluations- qualitative results • Communication- poor staff knowledge about the project, mainly from the feeling that they were not told about it. • Positive contributions from extra time spent with clients- staff felt that having students on the ward to do this work was beneficial to the clients.

11. Student evaluations • Strong feeling that people who took part learnt something from the project. • Challenging aspects included making the book, ward environment, not knowing what to talk about, clients challenging behaviour, building relationships and being discharged. • Students had plentiful opportunity during the project.

12. Student evaluations • Majority of students enjoyed the project, and thought it was worthwhile. • Seminars were not overwhelmingly positive. • Qualitative results suggested support from members of staff (gradually getting better), negative comments about seminars, poor information, difficulties and positive experiences.

13. Best Practice identified • High retention rate (77%) • More life story books created. • Books and volunteer hours are cost effective. • 16/17 students felt the project was worthwhile • Internal management of the project through student on placement was successful. • More thorough evaluation than in previous years.

14. Lessons learnt • Difficulties with ward receiving and disseminating information. • Volunteers feeling supported on the wards. • Supervision seminars. • Pairing of the students • Students feeling underprepared. • Action plan implemented to address these points

15. Contacts for information • Ian.Asquith@kmpt.nhs.uk • Reinhard.Guss@kmpt.nhs.uk

16. References • Woods, B., Spector, A. e., Jones, C. A., Orrell, M., & Davis, S. P. (2009). Reminiscence therapy for dementia. The Cochrane Library. • McKeown, J., Clarke, A. and Repper, J. (2006) Life story work in health and social care: systematic literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55, 237 – 247. • Rankin, L., & Guss, R. (2011). The life history project. Unpublished KMPT audit. • Thompson, R. (2011). Using life story work to enhance care. Nursing Older People, 23(8), 16-21.