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I can believe in myself, my ability, my strength and my own power and this applies into the very core of my life (Service User).
Introduction
Status Employment is a small voluntary sector charity which facilitates employment support programmes in mental health services, drawing on the principles and practice of the individual placement and support (IPS) model ([1] Becker and Drake, 2003). We have recently been exploring the integration of health and wellbeing activities to offer a holistic approach to our clients. The benefits of physical activity are well known, it can create a virtuous cycle leading to a heightened sense of achievement, greater self-esteem, more energy and activity, and improved mood ([3] Harvey et al. , 2010; [2] Craft, 1997). However, there is very little literature that describes the impact of physical exercise in relation to employment support programmes.
Trapeze
I developed the idea for a six-week trapeze programme because I recognised the unique benefits of the activity on my own wellbeing. I believed there could be a potential positive impact on the service users I was working with as an Employment Advisor. Static trapeze is an aerial circus art in which participants use strength and skill to move around two ropes and a bar in an acrobatic routine. In contrast to flying trapeze the ropes and bar remain stationary. Participants begin on low trapeze with basic moves and focus on conditioning exercises to build strength, before moving onto higher trapeze and more complex routines. I wrote a successful funding bid from the National Health service "make me smile again" fund to partially cover the cost of two courses of six lessons for six people, a total of £900 (teaching fees, hiring costs and insurance). I set up, organised and facilitated the development of the project.
The individuals taking part were all women - a mixture of primary- and secondary-care service users. Most presented with depression, anxiety, or a combination of both and were receiving cognitive behavioural therapy and employment support. Participants were referred to the programme by their employment advisor or therapist. Three had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and were referred directly from their care coordinator. All were job seekers, apart from one individual who was signed off sick from workPlate [Figure...