evidence summary

Greening dementia: A literature review of the benefits and barriers facing individuals living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and local greenspace.

In 2012 Natural England commissioned Dementia Adventure (a Community Interest Company which connects people living with dementia, with nature and a sense of adventure) to review the existing evidence of the benefits and barriers facing people living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and their local green space.

The role of personal storytelling in practice (IRISS Insights, No 23)

Evidence summary that explores what story and storytelling is, and whether autobiographical, first-person storytelling has a valuable impact on practice, and can engender positive meaningful change for individuals who access support.

It examines how storytelling has been used across social services to date, considers its value, and highlights some considerations for those creating and using stories. Case study evidence is provided to showcase the benefits of storytelling in practice.

Understanding suicide and self-harm amongst children in care and care leavers (IRISS Insights, No. 21)

Self-harm and suicide are complex issues which arouse difficult and distressing emotions both within people who hurt themselves and those who love and care for them. When children hurt or try to kill themselves, adults responsible for them often feel confused, powerless and overwhelmed.

Evaluating integrated and community based care: how do we know what works?

Paper that outlines the main community-based interventions that the Trust has evaluated and their impact, and identifies nine points that may help those designing, implementing and evaluating such interventions in future.

The paper could provide useful learning for the new health and social care integration 'pioneer' sites that will be appointed by the Department of Health by September 2013 (Department of Health, 2013).

Advocacy: Models and effectiveness (IRISS Insights, No. 20)

This Insight draws on evidence in relation to advocacy with both children and adults and on literature from the fields of health and social care. It outlines the key elements of the most prevalent models of advocacy and identifies good practice, as well as the limitations of advocacy models. The Insight will provide an overview of the evidence base of what works in relation to advocacy provision.

Scottish Government equality outcomes: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) evidence review

Paper that is one of a series written to inform the development of equality outcomes for the Scottish Government. Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) states that a range of relevant evidence relating to equality groups and communities should be used to help set equality outcomes that are likely to make the biggest difference in tackling inequalities.

Scottish Government equality outcomes: age evidence review

Paper that is one of a series written to inform the development of equality outcomes for the Scottish Government. Guidance from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) states that a range of relevant evidence relating to equality groups and communities should be used to help set equality outcomes that are likely to make the biggest difference in tackling inequalities.