LPT has given its full support to a self-help toolkit called 'Safe Inside, Safe Outside' (or SISO for short). By drawing on their own experiences in responding to and recovering from their condition, people with mental ill health worked together with staff from Advance Housing to create this useful resource.

The SISO guide enables people to look inwards and focus on what they can do to help themselves rather than on what they can't, which can then help people move forward on their journey of recovery. It focuses on feeling well and staying well both on the 'inside' (within themselves) and on the 'outside' (within their community) living as an independent valued member of the community.

SISO Project Lead, Leon Herbert said:

"Recovery from mental ill health is a very personal journey and the toolkit is designed to be used on a very individual basis. There's an array of different resources to help people deal with good days and bad days, including information on complimentary and holistic therapies, food and mood, a variety of creative arts, emotional freedom technique, neuro-linguistic programming and information around some cognitive behavioural therapy resources, to name but a few."

"Also contained are wellness recovery action plans and practical tips on personalisation, direct payments and employment. People can dip in and out of the toolkit and explore the great information and resources on offer, which adopt a 'whatever works for you' philosophy.

"We all know that if we're feeling more positive about ourselves ('safe inside') it can help us be more resilient to the challenges of everyday living and life's unpredictable twists and turns, especially when considering issues such as, anti-social behaviour, mental health stigma and harassment ('safe outside'). Mental wellbeing is a consideration for everyone in society and not just the diagnosed few - so the SISO Toolkit can be used by anyone whether you have a mental health diagnosis or not."

The toolkit originally evolved from a two year recovery focused programme funded by the Department of Health. Additional funds were granted by the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All scheme and MHSCE Capital Expenditure Grant, to assist in the wider development and promotion of the toolkit. 'Advance' is part of a group of charitable organisations providing housing, support and employment services for people who have either a learning disability or experience of mental ill health.

For more information about the SISO Toolkit or becoming a member of SISO please contact Leon Herbert, Project Manager on 0116 255 3331.