Outside the Box Development Support

Notes are available from our previous meetings below.

Dates and Times of meetings in 2013:

Thursday 23rd May in Paisley from 1.30 - 3.30 at Milend Mill 12 Seedhill Road PA1 1JS - this session has been cancelled, a new date will be provided soon.  Thank you.

If you want to come along, please let us know for catering purposes.  You can also get in touch if you will need travel expenses.

Email admin@otbds.org or phone 0141 419 0451

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Shared Strengths is an informal network of people who recognise that some adults use self harm as a means of coping.

The group is open to people and organisations who share and respect this starting point. The network is led by people who use self harm as a coping strategy: workers and groups led by families and friends are welcome to take part too.

What we do

• We bring together resources and information about self harm as a coping strategy. This makes it easier for groups and people across Scotland to refer to the policy documents and find out about examples of good practice.
• We work together to develop resources that can help people and groups. Examples will include sharing tips on ways to cope through difficult times and minimising harm.
• We meet every 6 weeks or so. The people who come along include people with lived experience of using self harm, workers who support groups led by people who use self harm, people who provide training, staff in support and care services, and people with a policy interest. The aim is to share information, exchange ideas and contacts, and to give each other encouragement and support for the work we each do.
• People can get involved in the group discussions through email and the website instead of coming to the meetings.
• We find ways to raise awareness about adults’ use of self harm as a way of coping.
• We try to influence other organisations’ policies and practice.
• We remind people and groups who have an interest in raising understanding about self harm as a way of coping that there are other people who work and think in this way.
• We encourage the development of more direct support for people who use self harm as a coping strategy, including peer support groups.

How to get involved

• You can feed in your suggestions and comments on what the group does, or what it should be doing.
• You can come along to the meetings.
• You can contribute your examples of what helps people cope and of how services provide good, caring responses.
• You can use the material we produce to help your work.
• You can share information about the group with other people.
• You can have a discussion with people you know about ways to raise awareness of self harm as a coping strategy and of ways to improve the support and services that are provided.

Outside the Box is the host for Shared Strengths. This is an independent voluntary organisation based in Scotland. We help people who are marginalised have a voice and influence or create the supports they need for the longer-term.

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There are further resources available at the bottom of this page.