North Ayrshire’s Making A Difference (MAD) service user involvement group, provides a positive platform for members to become included in the development and delivery of Justice Services. Service users can have their voices heard, continue to learn new skills, increase their confidence and become involved in the on-going development of activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented Justice Services with several barriers to supporting service users on lockdown. As a service, they were forced to think ‘outside the box’ and adapt their approach to lockdown restrictions. These restrictions exacerbate existing issues that service users experience, such as isolation, mental health problems, substance misuse and accessing services.
This report outlines the progress in engaging MAD members and activities during lockdown. It will summarise our approach, our outcomes and conclude with some reflections and recommendations for future practice.
The full report can be accessed here.