Supporting Self Management with the Jigsaw Lid Toolkit

Self Management Network Scotland member Hilda shares self management resources ahead of Self Management Week 2025.

COPE Scotland developed the Jigsaw Lid Engagement Toolkit through collaboration with a local community, third sector groups, individuals with lived experience, and GPs. This initiative was part of a primary care transformation project focused on enhancing community support for those with moderate and enduring mental health issues. Read reports from the Jigsaw project

We went on to use the Jigsaw Lids engagement toolkit to explore the pieces people and groups identified as needed for many other areas that mattered to them e.g., Gambling harms, climate change, effective networks and more.

We are currently involved in facilitating a Weaving Networks in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands group. Part of this is listening and exploring what matters to various groups and stakeholders and also learning what others have heard from communities around what matters to them e.g. To develop the type of services needed by those over 60 in Kintyre, Shopper Aide decided to find out both what was needed and the aspirations of the older generations, a copy of that survey can be found in the link above.

We also heard from unpaid Carers about their needs, including, what was needed when they first found themselves in this role. I wanted to share this because it is an example of people identifying the pieces they need to help adapt to a new life which can sometimes happen very suddenly. Self management also means giving people the tools, training, support, compassion, and recognition this is not easy, that people are all different and that person centred care matters for unpaid Carers too. This is what we heard about the pieces needed for those who suddenly find themselves in the role of unpaid Carer.

• Awareness and Compassion: Recognising the life change for someone who becomes a Carer and showing compassion towards them is crucial.
• Pre-Discharge Assessment: Evaluating the ability of partners or family members to provide the necessary level of support before the person’s discharge is vital.
• Link to Support Services: Establishing connections with Carers support services while waiting for the person to be discharged can ensure ongoing assistance.
• Consultation on Home Adaptations: Involving Carers in discussions about aids and adaptations for the family home can help tailor the environment to specific needs, be respectful this is people’s home.
• Adjustment Time: Recognising the time required for someone to adjust to changes in their relationship with the cared-for person and help them to feel okay to talk about this.
• Courtesy in the Home: Offering support in someone’s home with the understanding that it is a family space, not an extension of a hospital ward, or place of work. Show respect and value the Carers views.
• Encouragement to Communicate: Not all Carers may feel confident asking questions, so assuming all is well based on silence can be misleading.
• Appreciation for Carers: The health and care system would struggle without Carers, so acknowledging this and showing genuine appreciation is essential.
• Wellbeing and Self-Care: Recognising that Carers need support for their wellbeing and offering self-care strategies is key to sustaining their health.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Viewing changes in a Carer’s life through a trauma-informed lens can help provide sensitive and appropriate support.
• Practical Training and Guidance: Offering practical training and guidance related to home nursing care is crucial. Assessing the Carer’s capacity to provide care is also important.
• Active Listening: Listening to those whose lives have changed suddenly and understanding their needs for adapting to this new reality is fundamental.

Self management does not mean being alone. It is about developing as much personal agency as we can to take control of our life and actions. To regain a sense of self belief to set the goals and the confidence to act towards achieving them. To learn and not be afraid to ask for help as we all need help sometimes, and that takes confidence too. There are many tools and resources on our website to help boost confidence and self-belief. Explore resources on the COPE Scotland website.

Whatever you may find you are self managing remember, this is part of you, not all of you, we are not the health challenge we face or a label, we are unique human beings. This link takes you to the personal Jigsaw Lid which can be used to identify the pieces which matter for your self management journey.

Please remember, you do matter.

Thanks for reading.

Hilda

This opinion piece is being shared as part of the ALLIANCE’s self management awareness campaign. Self Management Week will run from 22-25 September 2025.

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