Listen Up - Social Welfare Portal

listenup!108 | Case Study 6Current programme prioritiesi. Internal structureThe Market Place is a growing and changingorganisation, meaning that some structures andprocedures are still in place that need to catchup with increase in demand. Finding a balancebetween retaining the core of what has madethe organisation successful whilst developingnew ways to allow sections of the organisationto work more independently is a key challenge.The Market Place is keen to retain a service that isinformal, flexible and places equal weight on itsyouth work and more formal, appointment basedmental health elements in order to continue tosuccessfully engage with a wide range of serviceusers and their variety of needs.ii. Increasing staff numbersStaff are currently overstretched as there are notenough paid or voluntary staff to satisfactorilycover the number of young people who accessthe project. Negotiations are ongoing for fundingto employ more staff.How the project addresses gaps in localservice provisionThe funding that the project receives from LeedsCAMHS reflects the vital role The Market Place playsin fulfilling local needs, particularly for preventativeservices and those designed specifically for youngpeople. Providing mental health support in a nonstigmatising,generic setting ensures that The MarketPlace reaches young people who would be less likelyto access statutory services; a holistic approach alsomeans that the complex needs of young people areaddressed. High levels of self referrals demonstratethe accessibility of the project and its success inappealing directly to young people.Barriers and constraints which impedeeffective provisionThe service is stretched to capacity. The threeinterrelated problems of low staffing levels,insufficient funding and confined space prevent theproject from increasing capacity to alleviate theirwaiting lists.ContactsThe Market Place28 KirkgateLeeds, LS2 7DJTelephone: 0113 2461659http://www.tmpweb.org.uk/marketplace/