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What our survey of people we support told us

Jasmine Rocks

Hello everyone. Joe Alderdice here, Humankind’s Inclusion Manager. 

Back in September at Humankind, we ran our annual survey of people accessing our services. This is always a valuable opportunity to check in with communities, beyond the people involved in regular ‘Working Together’ consultation activities, about what we’re doing well and where we need to improve. 

We smashed our previous record for engagement with the survey, with responses from 3,748 people. That’s 12% of people receiving structured support from us, an increase of 40% on the previous year. A big reason for this increase was limiting reducing the length of the survey and the time it took to complete, and adding optional equality, diversity and inclusion questions. 

In all but one of the questions, over 90% of people responded ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’, with 94% of people saying they get the support they need. 97% of people said they feel safe in their service – up from 94% in 2022. Only 88% of people said they knew how to raise a complaint, give feedback or make suggestions. This is up from 86% in 2022, but is still highlighted as a key area for improvement. 

A table showing the organisation-wide response to the qualitative questions people were asked. The ‘Positive Response’ figure combines ‘Strongly Agree’ and ‘Agree’ responses (dark and light green in the table), in comparison to neutral, and ‘negative’ responses (‘Disagree’ and ‘Strongly Disagree’). The organisational response to the qualitative questions people were asked.

This time we were keen to hear from more people who experience barriers to engagement. It’s always good when people tell us what we do well, but we can learn even more when people give us uncomfortable truths. Special recognition must be given to David Goodwin, a volunteer at New Vision Bradford, who singlehandedly surveyed 44 people at risk of disengagement. 

The survey had a box for additional comments, another valuable source of insight. Service managers have access to all the comments about their service to inform their plans for continued improvement. It is essential that people know their comments have been taken onboard, so we’ve created a ‘You said, we’re doing…’ poster template which our services can display in buildings or include in newsletters. 

So, what’s next? Well despite the brilliant work in Bradford, we did not meet our target of speaking to 5% of people who face barriers to engagement. We are currently considering alternative approaches to hearing and learning more from this group. Watch this space. 

I want to thank everyone who supported the survey, particularly those who took the time to provide their valuable feedback. 

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Humankind marks the sad loss of trustee Jim Foyle

Jasmine Rocks

It is with deep sadness that all of us at Humankind note the passing of trustee Jim Foyle.

Jim was a valued member of the Humankind board since 2019. His commitment to our organisation, however, dates back to 2010 when Jim joined the HAGA Alcohol Service board, and later that of Blenheim CDP. This governance work was alongside an esteemed career in psychology of over 35 years at a number of NHS Trusts, including our partner Barnet Enfield & Haringey NHS Trust.

Throughout his time with Humankind, Jim was respected and admired by all. Colleagues will remember Jim’s unassuming nature, his sharp wit and the unwavering commitment and focus that he always brought to those we support. He will be deeply missed by those who had the pleasure of working with him.

All of us at Humankind extend our most heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family and friends and offer our deep appreciation for everything he brought to our organisation.

Jim’s funeral will take place in early August and will be attended by Humankind trustees and our CEO Paul Townsley.

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Great North Swim participants raise money for Humankind

Jasmine Rocks

On Saturday 10 June 2023, some of our fantastic members here at Humankind took part in the Great North Swim to raise money for our organisation.

The event took place at Windermere Lake in the Lake District, where each member took part in cold water swimming and swam 1 mile as part of their fundraisers.

Humankind’s vision is for people of all ages to be safe, build ambitions for the future and reach towards their full potential. Their vision creates services and support to meet people’s complex health and social needs, helping them to build healthier lives that have meaning and value for themselves and their families. We support local people to create stronger, better-connected communities.

Our Fundraising Department organise and participate in a range of campaigns and events throughout the year to raise further support and awareness for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

We are so proud of everyone who has taken part and congratulate them on all their hard work fundraising for our organisation so we can provide more fair chances.

Humankind’s Corporate Fundraising Manager, David Barlow, said: “Congratulations to our five, inspirational, participants in the recent Great North Swim on Lake Windermere. The funds raised will directly improve the lives of those we exist to support.”

Rebecca Huitson Business Development Administrator, who participated in the Great North Swim said: “The Great North Swim was an amazing event, completely out of my normal comfort zone but in training and completing the swim it has proven to be a new hobby! Very pleased I signed up and proud to raise money for Humankind and support the amazing services to continue to positively impact lives every day.”

The group took some great photos at the event, which you can see below.

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