Braveheart

Braveheart recruits and trains volunteer mentors to run self-help groups for people who suffer angina or have had a heart attack.

Aims: • To increase knowledge about angina and heart attack to achieve a healthy lifestyle • To increase information and guidance to make changes in lifestyle to improve well being • To help individuals be more able to make informed choices about prevention • To give greater independence and well-being in the community and reduce likelihood of admission into hospital

Self help groups:

• Between 8 – 12 participants per group • Meet once every three weeks for two hours • 12-15 meetings lasting 12 months • Lead by two trained lay health mentors Groups provide • An opportunity to discuss subjects relating to heart disease relevant to those taking part and • An opportunity for members to share experiences, considering new ideas on how to reduce further visits to the hospital

Core Programme -

• Education about diagnosis • Compliance with medical advice • Diet –healthy eating • Alcohol • Value of exercise/activity • Smoking • Stress and relaxation • Adapting to change • Self management • Benefits agency

Braveheart Health Mentors

• Recruited from the 40 + age group Possible advantages to group members from volunteers are: • Mentors may have experienced similar problems • The volunteers through their age can serve as a positive role model • Volunteer mentors can also inform the group of expanding support systems by making groups aware of community resources.

Mentor training involved

30 hours – initial training with • Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister • Pharmacy Department • Dietetic Department • Forth Valley Health Promotion Department • Smoking Cessation Nurse • Health Mentors • Braveheart Coordinator

Training continues every year

A total of 12 hours which includes: • Cardiac resuscitation • Diet updates including alcohol • Bereavement • Stress/Relaxation • Infection control • Falls Prevention/ Osteoporosis • Benefits Agency • Smoking • Diabetes New topics to be addressed • HRT & Sexual Dysfunction

The Braveheart Project

• Set up in 1996 as an Ageing Well Demonstration Project • Few studies had examined the effects and feasibility of volunteer mentors engaging with their peers to discuss cardiovascular risk factors.

This study showed that using volunteer lay health mentors was: • feasible • practical • safe • positively influenced diet, physical activity and health resource utilisation in older people with ischaemic heart disease.

Research

• A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Senior Lay Health Mentoring in Older People with Ischaemic Heart Disease: The Braveheart Project Published in Age and Ageing Vol. 33 No. 4 British Geriatrics Society 2004; all rights reserved • A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Senior Lay Health Mentoring to influence diet in older patients with Coronary Heart Disease:

The Braveheart Project

• The Braveheart Story • From Coronary Heart Disease to Empowerment Research articles available to download from www.braveheart.uk.net

Qualitative interviews…..

It was noted that: 73% of participants thought that the experience was excellent or very good with only 3% unfavourable comments 77% considered that as well as changing their outlook on life, the Braveheart experience actually changed their behaviour over time 57% felt more confident in questioning treatment and more able and inclined to ask questions, more in contact with GP’s, Hospital doctors, nurses and Pharmacists.

93% considered the Braveheart experience was a good one and 90% considered that their lay mentors could not have improved their performance.

After the research – since 2002

• Funded till March 2006 (NOF) • Charitable status • Referrals now made by GP’s, Practice/District Nurses, Health visitors and staff within FDRI • 19 self help groups set up between 2003 and 2004 • 16 Volunteer Health Mentors & 7 Walk Leaders were recruited and trained • Braveheart Plus

• Programme rolled out to Kincardine and Clackmannan • Publication of results in professional journal • Braveheart - The Way Ahead – seminar • Additional funding sought for Paths to Health programme

What lies ahead in 2005 ?

• Increase referrals from Primary Care Staff • 24 groups planned • Recruit & train another 8 health mentors & 4 walk leaders • Investigate further funding for 2006 • Evaluate all groups and training • Healthy Living Event • Set up a health walk programme specifically for Braveheart participants • Research & coordinate self help walking pack

Voluntary Agencies e.g. CVS Volunteer Mentors & Walk Leaders Age Concern, Ageing Well UK Coordinator Big Lottery Fund NHS Forth Valley

Braveheart Partners

Patients, family & friends Merck, Sharp & Dohme Scottish Executive Falkirk Council NHS Health Scotland

Any Questions?