Staff from across the Trust have been recognised for their work and dedication at the Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards 2022.
The national award scheme celebrates the work of mental health services across England, Wales and Scotland and is open to organisations in the NHS, social care, third sector, and independent sector.
It is organised by The Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative, a user-led multi agency collaborative of more than 50 organisations including NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Boards, police forces, charities, service user groups and third sector providers.
The Trust won three awards and was highly commended in two further categories.
They were:
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) Inpatient Services – winner of Addressing Inequalities in Mental Health
The psychological therapies team have been using three new initiatives to support young people in their care.
They have set up groups for young people to learn specific skills to manage their emotions, distress and relationships more effectively.
Individual positive behavioural support plans help best support young people when they are distressed. These are put together by the young person, their parents and carers, and our staff.
The team are also working with young people to identify alternatives to prescribing medicine to manage their emotional distress, such as weighted animal and fidget toys.
Claudia Foakes, Head of Inpatient Psychological Therapies Service for CAMHS, said: “Each of these initiatives were designed to reduce the use of restrictive practices with young people in our service.”
Brockfield House in Runwell – winner of Integration of Physical and Mental Healthcare
The occupational therapist team has been working together to promote healthy lifestyles amongst patients with severe mental illness within the secure service.
Devashni Naidoo, Head Occupational Therapist for Secure Services and CAMHS, said: “We were really grateful to be shortlisted and whilst travelling there thought that we did really well to be one of the three teams shortlisted.
“When they announced our category, we were absolutely thrilled to have won and could not stop smiling for the rest of the evening.”
Festus Meshe – one of five winners of Outstanding Leadership (Band 7 and B Staff)
Matron Festus Meshe, who is based in Chelmsford, was nominated by his line manager due to his ongoing commitment to the students, oversea and international nurses as he has supported them throughout the training and also provided weekly training.
Festus said: “I believe I was nominated for my resilience, commitment and dedication to patients’ care, and providing leadership and supporting the nursing teams.
“I was very pleased to have been nominated and when I received this award, I felt really happy and valued.”
As part of his work, Festus also set up weekly learning sessions to give additional training support to student and newly registered nurses and our newly recruited international nurses.
Service User Network for Personality Disorder and Complex Needs – Highly Commended for Innovation in Digital Mental Health
The Service User Network was set up in August 2020 for people living with a personality disorder.
Bryony Dale, Service User Network Manager and Facilitator for the Specialist Personality Disorder and Complex Needs Team, said: “The Network is an innovative way of delivering care. It has expanded massively and touched the lives of so many individuals. The service users play a pivotal role in its success.
“The dedication to raising awareness of personality disorder, dispelling myths and supporting their peers is what makes the service what it is.
“The service users are really at the heart of everything we do, and it is a real pleasure to work with every individual who is a part of the Network.”
Adult Mental Health Family Group Conference Service – Highly Commended for Complex Mental Health Needs
Associate Director of Social Care, DR Lynn Prendergast, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved this award and be recognised nationally as highly recommended in the provision of complex care in mental health.
“The Essex Mental Health Family Group Conferencing Service is an intervention that empowers and supports clients and families to rebuild their social network for themselves. This process enables families to independently create their own plan and make decisions for themselves, focussing on their own solutions and recovery.
“This empowers individuals to feel supported by their whole network, rather than feeling isolated and often having to struggle on their own.
“We are a dedicated team who are passionate about family work and the essential need to include carers in our daily practice.”
The awards ceremony was held in Durham last month.