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The HOPE Programme

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Coventry University developed a programme to help people struggling with long term health conditions build confidence and learn how to manage their condition/s better.

The programme is called HOPE (Help Overcoming Problems Effectively), and is based on a six week, (2 hours a week) course attended by people who have similar needs.

As well as face to face HOPE , there is now an iHOPE online version that is particularly useful for people living in rural areas, or where travelling might be difficult for a range of practical or commitment considerations.

The programme helps people to focus on themselves as a person, not as a long term condition. It is not a “clinical” course but is based on sound evidence about what works for people.-It helps people discover new strengths and rediscover old ones to keep them well. It also aims to boost self-confidence and resilience, and helps people cope better emotionally, psychologically and practically with their condition.

We have a brand new Facebook page for Devon HOPE Programme!! Please like and follow the page.

HOPE COURSES

Who is HOPE for?

Anyone with a long term condition. (There are over 400,000 people living in Devon with a long term condition.

Workplace wellbeing. (We have already had several successful courses for staff with ongoing health needs- this has resulted in people managing their needs better and in many cases people returing to work.)

  • Parents of children with autism.
  • Parents of children with cancer.
  • Cancer survivors and carers
  • Depression
  • HIV
  • Dementia
  • Multiple sclerosis.

In addition to these areas we are seeing HOPE expanding all the time , we are particularly keen to develop HOPE for people who have intellectual disabilities.

What can I expect from HOPE video

Evaluating impact

Measures (using the Patient Activation Measure or PAM) taken at the start of the programme and at six weeks, show a marked improvement in activation of individuals. Individuals who measure high on this assessment typically understand the importance of taking a pro-active role in managing their health and have the skills and confidence to do so.

Table showing Measures (using the Patient Activation Measure or PAM) taken at the start of the programme and at six weeks
Measures (using the Patient Activation Measure or PAM) taken at the start of the programme and at six weeks

Improvement in activation can have a marked impact on service demand as national evidence suggests that people with higher levels of activation have 18% fewer GP contacts and 38% fewer emergency admissions than people with the least confidence in managing their condition.

In addition to use of health services we hope that as more people develop personal coping mechanisms, develop supportive networks and increase their knowledge and confidence that they will need less support from public services than they would if they had not attended a HOPE course.

Currently HOPE is focussed heavily in South Devon and Torbay, and we would aim to increase the spread and scale of this positive programme across the whole of Devon.

In addition to the things we formally measure- there are some great “added value” aspects to HOPE. Particularly welcome are the knowledge that friendships are made and that some groups continue to meet after the course has finished.

  • a) Expanding the HOPE programme across wider Devon- addressing more conditions and populations including people with mental health needs, children and young people, exploring adapting the programme to help people manage the wider determinants of health that impact on them.
  • b) Aligning the use of Patient Activation Measures and or appropriate wellbeing measures to shape activity , and help us measure impact in a way that is co-produced. This will require us to establish effective IT and programme management to support data gathering.
  • c) Social Prescribing as a complementary support to HOPE, and also the involvement of health coaches to support the spread of personalised support.

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