VAST
Voices > Actions > Solutions Together - putting policy into practice
The Government's strategy for women's mental health, "Into the Mainstream" says:
The process of involving and listening to women should be fundamental to all service planning, delivery and evaluation. Policy development, service planning, individual care, commissioning and audit all need to include the voice of women themselves.
To facilitate this process, Wish has developed a structured means of involving women service-users that encourages them to give their views. They are supported to develop those views into a workable action plan and deliver the solution to any issues they have raised. In other words, women stop being "part of the problem" and become "part of the solution".
VAST is a meaningful way of involving women in the services they receive. All women have the opportunity to participate. Involving them in the entire process increases their confidence, improves problem-solving skills, and empowers them to have a significant input in shaping services.
The service provider also benefits from improved communication with its female service users. The dialogue places issues in a policy context and provides the host organisation with "ready made" action plans, as well as assistance in meeting the requirements of the Gender Equality Duty.
How does VAST work?
The model has three components:
1. Information Gathering
The VAST project provides women with a range of opportunities to voice issues, ensuring access for all women within services. Women can participate through group meetings (Direct Collective Voice), individual consultation (Direct Individual Voice) and also non-face to face methods such as suggestion boxes (Indirect Voice).
2. Information Processing
Women work together with the VAST worker to identify:
- A - How things are now
- B - How they want them to be
- Any relevant policy
- How to get from A to B and any intermediate stages, resulting in an action plan
3. Action
The Wish worker then supports women to put the plan into action. This may include identifying relevant organisational personnel, structures and forums, and discussing how to work with those identified to bring about change. Outcomes from the process are fed back to the women, effectively closing the loop.
Examples of VAST in action
The project is established at a number of units. Example of issues that women are tackling within their units include:
- Access to phones on the ward and the cost of phone calls
- How to make educational opportunities and activities more meaningful to women
- Working to ensure that hospital food meets the needs of women
- Looking at how to include relaxation and beauty therapies in the treatment and care of women
For more information about the VAST project, please contact the Wish London office or email info@womenatwish.org.uk