Latest news from the Resolve Social Benefit Bond
Resolve Social Benefit Bond
Investor update, September 2018
Above: Cooking classes organised for Resolve Program participants
(Some recipients noted an issue with the salutation in our last email. If this affected you we apologise, below you'll find a corrected version.)
Dear investor,
We are pleased to provide you with an update on the Resolve Social Benefit Bond.
The program provides participants with two years of comprehensive, recovery-oriented mental health support. This includes a residential program with 24/7 peer support, community outreach support and a ‘warm line’ for after-hours phone support.
As at the end of June 2018, 158 people have been enrolled in the Resolve Program since services commenced in October 2017, of which 85% have actively engaged with the program. The total number of participants is in line with that planned.
Participants referred to the program are presenting with a range of complex backgrounds, requiring various levels of community and clinical-based support. Outreach support is being provided in Orange, Bathurst, Cowra, Eugowra, Wongarbon, Dubbo and Mudgee. Participants are increasingly utilising the Resolve Centres for both group activities and residential stays. 26 participants have now stayed overnight at the Cranebrook and Orange Resolve Centres, some for several weeks.
The Resolve Program facilitates access to a range of activities to provide participants with structure and purpose in their day, and to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Activities include sanctuary walks, games afternoons, cooking groups, arts and craft, and movie afternoons. The cooking class has been particularly popular, and teaches participants the basics of identifying ingredients, purchasing the items required, preparing the meal, and cleaning up as a group.
Above: Resolve staff from Orange
The individual recovery plans for several participants identified that they would like to join a walking group to improve their general fitness and cardiovascular health. A weekly walk on local tracks now runs in both Orange and Cranebrook, with the objective of helping participants take positive steps to reduce stress, improve physical fitness and build friendships.
The sharing of stories during these activities often leads to personal connections being strengthened with others, as well as assisting people to work on their own recovery and wellbeing.
The program is also supporting people to attend community events and luncheons to encourage community participation.
"You empower people to take control, and to establish some autonomy in their lives."
Nine months in, Flourish Australia Peer Worker Tim Morandini says the feedback from the Resolve Program has been overwhelmingly positive.
At the end of September the first formal outcomes measurement point will be reached, and over the months following Resolve participants will be matched with a control group, and their relative usage of health services determined.
We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the years to come, including the first Annual Investor Report which will be distributed in early April 2019.
Elyse and Casey
Impact Investing, Social Ventures Australia
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