Shaping Stainforth

Shaping Places for Healthier Lives

Stainforth is a small town in South Yorkshire with a population of 6,000 people. There are challenges in the town that negatively influence mental health and wellbeing in the community, including high unemployment and rates of deprivation, and a lack of social mobility.

The Shaping Stainforth project focused on addressing these wider determinants of poor mental health, building on the strengths of the town, for example the strong mining heritage as a unifying factor, the small, tight-knit community, and ongoing economic regeneration projects.

Guiding the project’s approach were five key principles: place-based and hyperlocal focus; asset-based community development; co-design and centering residents’ voices; partnership working; and having a long term vision. Early in the project it became clear that a specific emphasis needed to be placed on promoting youth activities.

Key achievements

The Shaping Stainforth team had a clear understanding of their local system and strong local connections. They were already well known and trusted in the community. The team worked with community members to develop a system map, bringing together stakeholders from different backgrounds, which helped to identify the challenges informing mental health locally. Extensive resident consultation was integral to understanding local needs, wishes and existing assets.

The team commissioned several providers to provide mental health and wellbeing-related support, including mental health first aid training, support to children in local schools, peer support sessions and support sessions for men.

Initiatives that focused on young people and amplifying the youth voice included local adventure park trips, financial support for a local youth club, engagement sessions for teenagers at a local college, and the development of a Young People’s Steering Group.

System change activities included the following:

• Routine consultation with targeted groups within the community in order to understand residents’ needs. 
• Participating in local network meetings and collaborating with local and national services to provide opportunities for young people for example working with the NSPCC to support young people to create an online safety toolkit. 
• Introducing new services by funding events and groups. 
• Commissioning mental health support from national and local charities in response to specific local mental health challenges identified by residents, such as substance use among young people, suicide and bereavement support.

These initiatives have built the confidence and optimism of local residents, especially young people. Local investment has improved the physical environment, such as renovated shopfronts, which has improved people’s satisfaction with the area’s appearance. Shaping Stainforth has been the link between community and regeneration, with residents being kept updated on economic investment projects, and local people feeling more optimistic about the prospects for the work as a result of being kept informed. 

Key reflections and learnings

Shaping Stainforth was successful because it was responsive, locally led and in touch with the community it served. This was achieved through strong relationships and networks, the team’s local connections and support from local councillors.