In June 2024, Coach and Shine CIC met with Blackpool Coastal Housing group to discuss improving the wellbeing of their community members. Many residents displayed little self-worth and low confidence due to their living situation affecting their motivation and future goals. To foster a growth mindset, a life-coaching approach was proposed, encouraging residents to focus on controllable aspects of their lives.
A report produced by Shelter (2023) noted that 66% of those in temporary housing experienced mental or physical health issues, often feeling trapped and powerless. The mental health charity Mind (2017) emphasised the cycle between poor mental health and housing challenges. By coaching individuals to understand their values, the Time to Shine programme aimed to empower residents to envisage a more positive future.
Design
Utilising a co-creation approach, residents were consulted with through group meetings and one-on-one discussions to discuss their support needs. Support staff also provided input through face-to-face consultations. This feedback informed key workshop topics including value-based work, motivation, goals, fear-setting, overcoming barriers and future aspirations.

Aim
The project aimed to enhance wellbeing and self-belief among residents of two housing units while equipping staff to continue the programme for future residents. Initial assessments gathered insights on residents' resilience and wellbeing, enabling tailored workshops with daily check-ins and debriefs to measure impact. The Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale was utilised at the start and end of the twelve-week programme to monitor changes in participants' overall wellbeing. Both staff and residents completed weekly evaluations for ongoing programme adjustments. To implement a "train the trainer" approach, staff received individualised support, written plans and training on coaching methods.
Delivery
Over 30 hours, a total of 12 workshops were conducted, engaging 119 participants (including those attending multiple sessions) with an average of 12 attendees per workshop. The workshops commenced with understanding personal values which was reported as highly impactful by both staff and residents. The results from this initial workshop guided subsequent sessions on barriers, motivation, overcoming fear and planning for the future. To ensure inclusivity, all workshops were individual and delivered on the same afternoon which suited residents' complex lifestyles and varying placement durations. Weekly reflections enabled the programme to be adapted based on participant feedback - an example of this being extra focus of fear-setting. Staff incorporated course elements into daily interactions throughout the week, demonstrating participants' ability to apply learned strategies, such as linking decisions to values in discussions.
Evaluation
Prior to attending workshops, the Time to Shine group had low wellbeing scores averaging 40.7. After the programme, scores rose to 43.4, reaching the 'average' UK wellbeing threshold of 43-59. While the results aren't statistically significant due the sample size, they do indicate that participants felt more positive after twelve weeks, demonstrating success.
'Your Voice Matters' forms were gathered after each workshop which were collated for qualitative analysis:

Summary
The Time to Shine programme successfully enhanced the wellbeing of residents in temporary accommodation in Blackpool through weekly group meetings using psychological tools. Self-reported wellbeing levels improved from 'low' to 'average,' indicating positive outcomes for both residents and the predominantly participating staff. Feedback was on the whole, very positive, with staff noting increased resident confidence and improved relationships. The programme also empowered staff to confidently deliver future workshops, with 93% recommending the content for implementation. The focus on individual needs and core values motivated participants to pursue positive changes and a brighter future.
I feel the project and sessions offered to residents and staff really enabled each individual to look at their own values and core beliefs. It really made you reflect on who you are and what makes you the way you are. The exercises will provide staff with additional tools to support residents and for residents to have goals and increase their own knowledge of how to tackle issues they previously found overwhelming - Blackpool Coastal Housing Staff Member

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