We’ve been shortlisted in four categories for the Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in #ProudofDPT, News on 16th April, 2024

We’re proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for four Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards.

Congratulations to all of our teams who have been shortlisted in the following categories:

• The Together team – ‘Peer Support Services’ category
• Staff Health and Wellbeing team – ‘Mental Wellbeing of the Workforce’ and ‘Integration of Physical & Mental Healthcare’ categories
• Mental Health Matters: Devon Moorings – ‘All Age Crisis Pathways’ category

The Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative is a user-led multi agency collaborative of 75 organisations, including NHS Trusts, CCGs, Police Forces, third sector providers, front line charities and service user groups. It was established to recognise and share excellence in mental health and mental health services - a key part of this is through the annual awards.

The awards are open to statutory, third sector, voluntary and private organisations and are judged by a virtual panel of 120 people including service users and carers.

Our Staff Health and Wellbeing team have been shortlisted for two categories for their physical health programme, which began as a pilot following feedback that many colleagues were struggling with their physical and mental health. The programme consists of a gym and rehab area at Wonford House, as well as weekly outreach via online channels and local council and funded opportunities, such as yoga sessions in North Devon.

Jack Phillips, Lead for Staff Physical Health and Wellbeing, said: “It really is an honour to be shortlisted in the top three for a national award. Our service means so much to a lot of staff and to be recognised for this is an amazing feeling.

“The pilot has been a huge success – we had 2,500 engagements with staff in the first year, we’ve had 230 gym inductions, and feedback has been really positive. The programme continues to grow and be shaped by colleagues needs. For example, we recently ran metal detecting sessions as a way of incorporating socialising, mindfulness and history in one.

“We have a lot more to come and achieve and I hope this recognition will allow us to flourish and help even more staff achieve positive wellbeing that will in turn improve our patient care.”

We’ve also been shortlisted in the Peer Support Services category for the value that lived experience brings to services across our organisation.

Emily Clayton, Trust Lead for Peer Support Work (PSW), said: “Our Peer Support workforce and Expert by Experience (EbyE) Network has really developed over the past couple of years. We have around 50 PSWs/Senior PSWs along with more than 100 people EbyE Network who all use their lived experience to support people and help us develop our services. The Together team oversees all of this work and although we are a small team, we do as much as we can to provide support, training and other opportunities for the PSWs and people in the EbyE Network.

“We are delighted to be shortlisted, it really reflects the amazing work of our Peer Support workforce and allies who have all supported us in developing the roles within each team, thank you all!”

The Devon Moorings site is the only adult crisis service to make the shortlist and recognises the impact of both the evening crisis provision, co-located at Wonford House, and the day time pilot that hosts a programme of sessions involving partner organisations.

The move to the hospital site in July 2022 was the result of close partnership working between Mental Health Matters and our organisation. The service has since supported more than 6200 contacts.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday 1 May. Congratulations and good luck to our teams and all those shortlisted.