OPEN DOOR : 2009 NATIONAL WINNER IN IMPROVING HEALTH AND REDUCING INEQUALITIES
The Open Door project is a social enterprise providing care to vulnerable and marginalised people in North East Lincolnshire who do not access mainstream health services.
The motivation for the initiative came in 2003 after two specialist health visitors recognised that approximately 1,000 people in the area were not registered with local GPs. North East Lincolnshire PCT initiated the project by employing a designer, who worked closely with vulnerable groups and community stakeholders to understand why people did not access mainstream services and what their ideal facility would look like.
Project Open Door started with 23 patients with a history of challenging behaviour. The project aimed to provide essential health and social care services to vulnerable groups, designed around individual needs and requirements and delivered flexibly. Now an activity and social centre, Open Door offers facilities such as computer access, activity space, cookery lessons, adventure days, specialist Advice and alternative therapies for vulnerable people who may not have been able to access care before.
The initiative’s unique role in the community has enabled it to develop strong relationships with many local stakeholders. For example, the local hospital’s A&E department now automatically refers patients to Open Door if they are not registered with a GP.
Open Door now has 1000 patients registered, leading to 20,000 footfalls per year. The project has been featured on the Department of Health ‘Right to Request’ DVD and as an example of successful social enterprise in three feature articles in Society Guardian.
Open Door has dramatically improved the lives of vulnerable and marginalised groups who are more concerned with core needs, such as food and shelter, than they are with their health. Open Door provides a safe and secure setting, which encourages people to come together for mutual support.