Embedding an Emancipatory Educational Framework in Communities for people marginalised and excluded because of mental health and/or substance misuse issues

We had developed a participatory community learning process in the Dublin North North East Recovery College, DCU and demonstrated proof of concept in an Irish setting. As our own organisation was expanding and diversifying our framework was in a state of flux. The evaluation of this framework demonstrated significant personal and social recovery outcomes for learners plus a range of other thematic findings that pointed to community connectiveness, inclusiveness, belonging, empowerment and thriving, to name a few. We wished to expose the concept to a wider partnership of similar but different organisations working in similar ways and with similar target groups and develop it further conceptually and practically where it is applicable outside of one local or regional context. People excluded from active citizenship related in some way to their experience of mental health or substance misuse or often caught up in the mental health or addictions services 'bubble'. Focussing on avenues for recovery outside of this within an adult educational framework, in itself is an inclusive process. The project has been successful in enhancing participants personal and social recovery.

Aim This project aimed to embed an emancipatory educational framework in communities for people marginalised and excluded because of mental health and substance misuse issues. Overall objectives 1. Establishment of an overarching participatory action research (PAR)process that incorporates students, associate partners, partners and any other relevant stakeholders in the educational process and project outcomes 2. Establish proof of concept evaluation framework adopting Participatory Action Research methods. 3. Implementation of educational Processes. 4. Development of Good Practice Guidelines based on the project process and proof of concept.

The main activity at the core of this project was the implementation of D3.1 & D3.2 a community educational programme within communities in each of five participating sites. As part of the role out of overall programme two Learning, Teaching and Training (LTT) events took place in Dublin and Marseilles respectively. The first three-day event was concerned with finalising the participatory learning process and core aspects of the community educational intervention D1.3. The second LTT was concerned with programme implementation, challenges from the field of activity and standardising the evaluation framework D2.1. There were also four multiplier events(two virtual and two in person) in the final six months of the project. Event one online in Finland presented the evaluation findings of the project, Event two online in Marseilles presented the educational toolkit D3.3 developed out of the implementation and evaluation of project. Event three took place person to person in Edinburgh Scotland where the Best Practice Guidelines D5.1 were presented and reviewed. The final activity took place person to person in Dublin where the overall proof of concept of the participatory learning process and educational programme was presented.

There were multiple results and outputs arising out of the project, with a number summarised below, specifically addressing the Objectives of the project. Development and implementation of a bespoke effective community education intervention D3.2 that has achieved proof of concept across five partner sites. Development of a cross-sectional evaluation framework D2.1, that using mixed methodology, measures the impact of an educational programme on peoples personal and social recovery from substance use and mental health issues; and their enhanced capacity to engage with their broader community. Technical report on the impact of D3.2 on project participants lives D2.3. Bespoke Train the Trainer Educational Toolkit D3.3, integrated with Best practice Guidelines D5.1, for implementing the Community Educational Intervention. Other specific outputs of the project included: A project handbook D1.1 ensuring seamless project management throughout the project timeframe; a PAR report D1.1 chronicling an account of the overall participatory project evolution; a Dissemination plan D4.1; a project website D4.2; and a Communication plan D4.3.