Devon Wellbeing Hub testimonial – the power of listening

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in Mental health, News, Recovery and wellbeing on 9th July, 2024

Daniel Scott, a Research Practitioner from Devon Partnership NHS Trust, explains how the pastoral care he received from Jez Brown, Lead Chaplain in the Devon Wellbeing Hub, helped improve his low mood and gave him peace of mind.

Why did you contact the Devon Wellbeing Hub? What made you reach out for help?

I was feeling at the end of my rope and I needed some support. I’ve had a diagnosis of depression for quite a number of years which I have previously accessed support for, but I was feeling really low again and wanted to explore other options.

I hadn’t considered chaplaincy before because I’m not a religious person, but I’d heard positive things from members of my team and I was open to anything. I quickly realised that I didn’t need to be religious to benefit from this kind of support.

What support did you receive from Jez?

I was seeing Jez for about 5-6 months. We started off meeting weekly, when I was feeling most low, and then we gradually switched to fortnightly and then monthly catch ups, as I started to feel better.

We discussed a whole range of things during our time together. We talked a lot about my low mood and the main thing for me was around my sense of purpose. When I’m feeling low, I get very existential and struggle to carve meaning. Jez gave me a different perspective on things and helped me get out of a depressive rut. He was really validating and gave me so much peace of mind, which is something I really value.

We also spoke a lot about men’s mental health, what it means to be a man and a man’s role in society. I didn’t expect to talk about these things, but it felt really nice to have that male connection and because of this we were able to build a rapport.

Jez was a sounding board for me. He was someone to mull things over with. I’m not great at talking about these things, unless I’m given a dedicated space. He’d allow me to explore what was on my mind, and in return he’d offer reflections, musings, ideas and suggestions. I really liked his take on things and was keen to hear what his thoughts were. He’d say phrases like “here’s something to play with”, which I got a lot from.

Jez is so wise and experienced, and even though he’s not a clinician, he is very knowledgeable about mental health. It actually helped that this wasn’t a clinical intervention as I just wanted someone to talk to in a non-structured way. I felt catharsis from him.

Have you been able to make changes to improve your wellbeing since visiting the Hub?

Things have shifted now and I feel a lot more fulfilled. Jez was there for me at a really transitory period of my life and he helped me recover. He was that little push I needed just to get through the recovery door.

I accessed chaplaincy alongside a lot of different forms of support, like joining Andy's Man Club and starting new medication, so it felt like a holistic way to make myself feel better. Jez also helped me solidify learning I had previously gained through TALKWORKS.

What do you think the impact would have been without the support from the Hub?

If I had not spoken to Jez, I think a lot more negative thoughts would have still been kicking around in my head. I would have struggled in silence and felt more anxiety and less confidence.

Jez really helped me to come to what felt like closure and an end point in my thoughts, rather than vacillating endlessly on things. He helped me to realise my strengths and values, and helped me to help myself. He made me feel at peace.

Would you recommend this service to colleagues?

Yes, absolutely. I had a really positive experience. I was able to speak to Jez candidly and he offered me a friendly and non-judgemental listening ear. He is someone who provides validation and emotional support, and nothing ever feels forced.

What advice would you give to people who may be struggling?

I would suggest exploring a wide number of support options and to try things. I can only reflect on my personal experience, but I think if you’re struggling at work or experiencing low mood or stress, chaplaincy is a great option.

I’d recommend colleagues to be open-minded and give it a go. Even if you think it didn’t help as much you want it to, there’s something quite satisfying in knowing you’ve kicked that rock over and you’ve tried.
 

Jez said: “Hearing feedback from colleagues we’ve supported is always so special. I’m proud to be a Chaplain within the Devon Wellbeing Hub and offer support to those who work so hard supporting others. It’s important that they too, have someone to turn to when things feel difficult. It feels incredibly rewarding to know by just being there to listen to someone, we can make a difference to their lives.

“Our offer is for all colleagues - regardless of your religious beliefs - and we can explore a number of different issues with you in a safe and non-judgemental space. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.”

Get in touch:

If you work in healthcare, social care or the police in Devon and are interested in our chaplaincy support, the Hub’s Colleague Wellbeing Practitioners can discuss your needs and make a referral on your behalf. Please get in touch by calling 0300 303 5455, email dpt.devonwellbeing@nhs.net or fill out the simple referral form on the Devon Wellbeing Hub website.