Consultation, collaboration and co design at the outset led by Healthy Louth

In late 2022, Healthy Louth carried out a county-wide public consultation. This involved surveys, focus groups, and a co-design workshop that informed the development of the Healthy Ireland Fund 2023-2025 Local Strategy for Louth. Through this comprehensive consultation, we identified a critical need for comprehensive support services for individuals affected by substance use. This consultation helped us understand the community’s requirements and set the stage for our intervention.

Recognising the complexity of the issues, we convened a co-design workshop with the newly established Louth LCDC Health & Wellbeing Sub-group. This workshop brought together experts, community members, and stakeholders, including representatives from The Red Door Project, to collaboratively design effective solutions.

Through a series of discussions and brainstorming sessions, we identified the gaps in existing services and the need for a multi-faceted approach that combined education, physical fitness, and personalised support.

Healthy Louth, through the LCDC and its Health & Wellbeing Sub-group, played a pivotal role in:

• Identifying the Problem: Conducting thorough consultations and needs assessments to ensure the Healthy Louth programme of work addressed real and pressing community needs.
• Co-Designing the Programme: Facilitating workshops and collaborative sessions, ensuring the project was comprehensive and tailored to the specific needs of the community.
• Selecting Projects: Evaluating and selecting the most impactful projects, including Boxing Clever, to address the identified gaps and provide robust support to individuals affected by substance use.
• Steering the Programme: Providing ongoing guidance and oversight to ensure the programme’s successful implementation and alignment with community needs.

Healthy Louth partners with Red Door Project

The Red Door Project aims to address the multifaceted issues related to drug and alcohol use, which significantly impact individuals, families, and communities. It was established in 2010.  Its mission is to provide confidential assistance and services to individuals, families, and the wider community that are affected by drug and alcohol use.  Their project offers support and advocacy work for individuals at any stage of addiction including one to one counselling, peer support, relapse prevention, addiction education, life skills and personal development, care planning and goal setting, health education and a multiplicity of progression routes including a special Rehabilitative Community Employment Programme.

Co Designed Boxing Clover deployed a Multifaceted solution

The Boxing Clever programme employs a multi-faceted approach, combining educational, physical, and support components to address the problem comprehensively.

Key Strategies Used include:

• Integrated Education and Fitness:
• Educational Modules: Participants undertake two QQI minor awards—Health-Related Fitness (Level 3) and Community Addiction Studies (Level 5). These modules cover essential topics such as the human body, lifestyle practices, addiction processes, and community responses.
• Physical Training: The programme includes regular physical training sessions focusing on boxing skills and tailored fitness exercises. This component aims to improve physical wellness and instil discipline and routine in participants’ lives.
• One-to-One Key Working Support: Providing individualised support through key working sessions, both before and after the programme. These sessions help participants set personal goals, develop care plans, and address specific challenges related to their recovery journey.
• Community Collaboration: Involving three agencies and four practitioners ensures a collaborative approach, pooling expertise and resources to deliver a comprehensive support system for participants. Field visits to drug services and community organisations provide practical insights and foster connections between participants and community resources.
• Peer Leadership and Group Facilitation: Training participants in peer leadership and group facilitation skills. This component encourages participants to take active roles in their recovery and support others, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Key Methodologies Used include:

• Active Learning and Practical Application: The programme emphasises active learning through practical exercises, group discussions, and real-life applications of theoretical knowledge. For example, participants plan and organise fitness classes, demonstrate exercises, and engage in community analysis projects.
• Holistic Health Education: Covering a broad spectrum of health-related topics, the programme educates participants on the components of fitness, personal lifestyle practices, and the safety and use of fitness equipment. This holistic approach promotes overall well-being and encourages sustainable health habits.
• Personal Development and Social Analysis: Incorporating personal development sessions and social analysis discussions helps participants understand the broader context of addiction, its impact on communities, and strategies for personal and collective empowerment.

By integrating these strategies and methodologies, the Boxing Clever programme offers a comprehensive, community-driven solution that addresses the multifaceted challenges of substance use recovery, education, and physical wellness.

How Boxing Clever was implemented

There were seven phases identified and planned in the co designed solution that was implemented

By carefully planning and implementing these steps, The Red Door Project successfully launched the Boxing Clever programme, providing comprehensive support to individuals affected by substance use and fostering their recovery, education, and physical wellness.

Quantitative & Qualitative Results achieved in year one 2023

The Boxing Clever programme has achieved significant impacts and measurable results, demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting participants through education, physical wellness, and recovery from substance use.

Quantitative Results

1. Participant Engagement and Completion:
   • Initial Participants: 19
   • Completion Rate: 15 participants successfully completed the programme (79% completion rate)
2. Educational Achievements :
   • 15 participants earned QQI Level 3 minor awards in Health-Related Fitness.
   • 15 participants earned QQI Level 5 minor awards in Community Addiction Studies.
3. Physical Fitness Improvements:
   • Fitness Assessments: Following an analysis of pre and post programme surveys, all 15 participants reported an increase in their levels of physical activity, with 10 of the 15 reported to have achieved the national physical activity guidelines.
   • Post programme evaluation – Of the 15 who completed the course in 2023, 12 have continued with weekly physical exercise routines.
4. Behavioural Changes:
   • Reduction in Harmful Behaviours: Participants reported a significant reduction in substance use and risky behaviours, with self-reported decreases in frequency and intensity of us. Of the 15 who completed the course, 11 are fully abstinent from all substances, 3 have continued using and sadly 1 participant has since passed away from substance use.
   • Attendance and Punctuality: Improved attendance and punctuality in both programme sessions and personal commitments.

Qualitative Results

1. Personal Development and Well-Being:
   • Participants reported enhanced self-esteem and confidence, attributing these improvements to the structured support and personal achievements during the programme.
   • Improved mental health and emotional well-being, with participants expressing a more positive outlook on life.
2. Social Connections and Community Involvement:
   • Development of meaningful relationships and peer support networks among participants, contributing to a sense of belonging and mutual support.
   • Increased community engagement, with participants actively participating in local events, volunteering, and connecting with community services.
3. Testimonials – what our participants had to say:

“Doing Boxing Clever 2023 has had a great impact on my life, giving me good structure and purpose.”

“I found it a challenge for me to do something new; it was a good experience for me to find myself again.”

“I have new friends I know are real.”

“I am in a great headspace.”

“Putting some structure in my life, as in getting up early and having somewhere to be and something to do.”

Progression and Future Opportunities: Participants have accessed various progression routes, including:

• Further education through LMETB and DIFE.
• Enrolment in the Diploma in Community Drugs Work (Urrus).
• Transition to employment and mentoring roles within the programme.
• Continued engagement with drug/alcohol treatment and rehabilitation day programmes.

Impacts Achieved

• Educational Empowerment: Participants have gained valuable knowledge and qualifications that enhance their employability and open doors to further education.
• Physical Health: Improved fitness levels contribute to overall health and well-being, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and enhancing quality of life.
• Behavioural Change: A significant reduction in harmful behaviours and substance use, contributing to long-term recovery and stability.
• Community Integration: Strengthened social connections and increased community involvement, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
• Personal Growth: Enhanced self-esteem, confidence, and mental health, empowering participants to take control of their lives and pursue their goals.

Overall, the Healthy Louth Boxing Clever programme has demonstrated a strong positive impact on participants, providing a holistic and supportive environment that promotes recovery, education, and physical wellness. The combination of quantitative and qualitative results highlights the programme’s effectiveness and the transformative changes experienced by participants.

Year 2 Launched with Momentum

Building on the success of the first year, we are excited to launch Year 2 of the Boxing Clever programme. This phase will continue to offer valuable educational and physical fitness components, while also incorporating feedback and lessons learned from the first year to enhance the programme’s effectiveness.

Participants from Year 1 Supporting Delivery: An exciting development in Year 2 is the involvement of participants from the first cohort in the programme’s delivery. These individuals, having successfully completed the programme and achieved significant personal growth, are now taking on mentoring and support roles. Their involvement includes:

• Peer Support: Providing first hand insights and encouragement to new participants, drawing from their own experiences and challenges.
• Facilitation Assistance: Assisting in the delivery of educational modules and fitness training sessions, leveraging their familiarity with the programme’s structure and goals.
• Role Models: Serving as role models for new participants, demonstrating the positive outcomes and potential for success through the programme.

Sustained Momentum: With the momentum gained from Year 1 Healthy Louth and The Red Door are committed to:

• Continuous Improvement: Enhancing the programme based on participant feedback and evolving needs.
• Community Engagement: Strengthening connections with local resources and expanding community involvement.
• Long-Term Impact: Fostering lasting changes in participants’ lives through continued support and development opportunities.
• Scalability: Exploring opportunities to replicate and scale the Boxing Clever model to other communities and settings, thereby broadening its impact.

Healthy Louth remains committed to delivering innovative solutions that address complex health challenges, and we look forward to the continued success of the Boxing Clever programme and other community-driven initiatives.

Success through community driven blended solution

The Boxing Clever programme instigated by Healthy Louth and  delivered by The Red Door Project, has proven to be a highly effective initiative addressing the complex challenges faced by individuals affected by substance use. Through a comprehensive blend of education, physical fitness, and personalised support, the programme has achieved significant positive outcomes. Participants have gained valuable qualifications, improved their physical health, reduced harmful behaviours, and strengthened their social and community connections. The programme’s success is evident in the high completion rate, enhanced well-being of participants, and their progression to further education and employment opportunities. Boxing Clever stands as a testament to the power of integrated, community-driven approaches in fostering recovery, personal growth, and long-term positive change.

Would you like to know more about this or other projects from Healthy Louth?

To discover more about Boxing Clever and other innovative solutions addressing community health and well-being, we encourage you to explore Healthy Louth. This initiative aims to promote and improve health outcomes across Louth, offering a range of programmes, resources, and community partnerships focused on holistic health approaches.

For further information on Healthy Louth and how you can get involved, please visit their website to engage with their resources, learn about ongoing projects, and discover opportunities to contribute to building a healthier community.