NOTTINGHAM CARNIVAL LET’S BUILD PRISON ARTS AWARD ALBUM LAUNCH SPIRITUALITY AND WELLBEING CARERS’ EVENT

Trust’s AGM 2010see centre pages

Workshops,Workouts and

Wow factor!

about mental health and learning disability

OCTOBER 2010

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

NHS

MESSAGEFROM THE BOARDThe Trust’s Annual General Meetingtook place on 24 September and Iwas delighted to be part of such afantastic day. Once again, we wereoverwhelmed by the support and interestthis event attracts. The day wasattended by staff, service users and

carers and Trustmembers all eager tofind out how wehave performed overthe last 12 monthsand what we plan todo over the comingyear as we achieveFoundation Truststatus.

There were sometruly brilliantexhibitions; well

done to everyone who put so mucheffort into producing one of the 54display stands. There were also a numberof different activities to take part in onthe day, from interactive workshops tosessions including Tag Rugby, HumanLibrary and even Bellydancing! ThisAGM was the best ever. Find out moreabout the AGM on pages 8-9.

We are very proud to have opened theMike Harris Learning and DevelopmentCentre at Rampton Hospital. The state-of-the-art building is really impressiveand will offer a great environment fortraining and development. As the Centreis outside of the secure area, we alsohope that it will benefit not only staff,but members of the public and the localcommunity too. See page 14 for moreinformation and a look at the building.

As you read this, we will be in the midstof Nottingham Mental HealthAwareness Weeks. From 4-15 October avariety of events will be held to raiseawareness of mental health and tacklethe stigma associated with it. Rangingfrom poetry recitals, art exhibitions, andfilm festivals to a human library and thelaunch of the second service users’ CD,‘Labels’, there really is something foreveryone. Please visit the websitewww.nottinghammentalhealthawarenessweeks.org for further details.

Clair Chilvers, Chair

2

Mid-August saw around 80,000 people enjoyingCaribbean entertainment and traditional foodduring the annual Caribbean Carnival atNottingham’s Forest Recreation Ground.

The carnival is two days of activities andentertainment with live performances from themain stage, music tents, workshops, funfair, and avariety of stalls – one of which was hosted thisyear by Trust colleagues and representatives fromother NHS organisations.

Eric Adjaidoo, Clinical Nurse Specialist, represented the Trust and also attended inhis role as NHS ambassador. Colleagues from NHS Nottingham City and NottinghamUniversity Hospitals NHS Trust worked alongside him, giving out information, adviceand free gifts to visitors.

Keeping true to its Caribbean roots, theevent ended with a showcase of dancers,dressed in stylish and flamboyantcostumes, making a journey around thecity accompanied by floats and musicfrom more than 20 sound systems.

“What a day,” said Eric, “I can’t wait fornext year!”

Eric Adjaidoo (left) with GilesMatsell, Head of Equality andDiversity, Nottingham UniversityHospitals NHS Trust (right) onthe NHS carnival stall. Below:Part of the carnival parade atthe Forest Recreation Ground.

NHS gets involved atNottingham Carnival

Partnership deliversimproved healthcarefor offenders inDoncaster

enable staff to ensure that healthcareneeds are matched and treated effectively.This healthcare support will be consistentduring their stay in prison and they will besupported on release back into thecommunity with links to healthcare andhousing on the outside.

Mike Cooke said: “We are very pleased tohave been awarded this contract. We’reexcited about being part of the innovativecontract approach that NHS Doncaster hastaken with their vision for the delivery ofan integrated service. We believe that it’sessential to provide adequate healthcareto what is often a very disadvantagedgroup of people. Through workingcollaboratively with HMP Doncaster,Rethink and Nottinghamshire CommunityHealth we will provide comprehensive carewhilst offenders are being rehabilitated forthe outside world.”

The Trust, in partnership with Rethinkand Nottinghamshire CommunityHealth, is delighted to have beenawarded a £45.7million contract toprovide healthcare services at HMPDoncaster and associated prisons andMike Cooke, Trust Chief Executiverecently attended an official signing ofthe contract.

From the end of August 2010 prisoners atHMPs Doncaster, Moorland and Lindholme(including the Immigration RemovalCentre) have been receiving the fullspectrum of healthcare from the DoncasterOffender Health Partnership. This couldrange from a simple GP check up andadvice on quitting smoking to therapy formental illness such as depression.

When arriving at the prison each offenderwill receive a healthcare screen. This will

Annette Laban, Chief Executive, NHS Doncaster withMike Cooke, Trust Chief Executive, signing the contract.

Positive October 2010 3

Community ofInterest open eventThe Trust’s Community of Interest forRecurrent Depression is hosting aninformation, education and consultationevent aimed at anyone with livedexperience of chronic and recurrentdepression, as well as their carers, friendsand families. Clinicians, commissionersand researchers are also welcome.

The event, titled ‘Dealing With RecurrentDepression’, will take place on Wednesday13 October from 1pm to 4pm in the mainhall at Life @ The Centre, 22 LowerParliament Street, Nottingham NG1 3DA.A buffet and hot drinks will be provided.

Come and speak to people who know;find out about recovery resources; hearabout the latest evidence-basedtreatments; feed back on current serviceprovision; join the Community of Interest.

A Community of Interest is a group ofpeople with a shared interest,understanding or passion who want towork together to shape or improveservices. For bookings and moreinformation about the Community ofInterest contact Mat Rawsthorne on 01159111657 or email mat@selfhelp.org.uk.

Paranoia groupwelcomes newmembersA new paranoia group has been setup and is looking for new members.The group is based at Middle StreetResource Centre in Beeston and is opento anyone with experience of or aninterest in paranoia. For moreinformation please contact MichaelOsborne on 07890 871769 or emailmike2osborne@yahoo.co.uk.

New netball grouplooking for membersFollowing the success of the Nottinghamnetball group, Michael Osborne, ServiceUser Volunteer, is looking into thepossibility of setting up another new netballgroup for Trust staff and service users ineither the middle or north of the county.

If you would be interested in taking partplease contact Michael on 07890 871769or email mike2osborne@yahoo.co.uk.

Arnold Lodge cycles to healthSunday 29 August was a bigday for the City of Leicesterand Arnold Lodge. The Sportsand Leisure Team at ArnoldLodge had been working hardover the previous threemonths to develop a cycleprogramme called ‘Cycling toHealth’. The programme isdesigned to promote andengage patients in physicalactivity, whilst developingtheir skills, knowledge andconfidence about how to cyclesafely. It provides theopportunity for patients touse cycles both within theArnold Lodge grounds and inthe local community.

Left to right: James Routen, Deputy Sports & Leisure Co-ordinator, Arnold Lodge; Kelly Walker, service user; Jo Jackson, Olympicswimming bronze medallist; Lee Bailey, service user; Zack Hawksley, Sports and Leisure Assistant at Arnold Lodge.

29 August was the ideal opportunity tolaunch the programme as it coincidedwith Leicester’s Sky Ride, a nationalcycling event. This gave the patients achance to put their new-found skills tothe test as they got on their bikesalong with staff and 12,500 otherpeople to complete a 9km route fromAbbey Park through the city centre ontraffic-free roads that had been closeddown especially for the event.

There was a festival atmosphere onthe day with live music and celebrityappearances from TV and sports starsincluding Mark Dolan, Gethin Jones,The Team Sky Tour de Francecyclists, Tigers rugby player GeorgeChuter and Olympic swimmingbronze medallist Jo Jackson.

A number of positive comments camefrom the patients who completed theCycling to Health programme andtook part in the Sky Ride including:“The Cycling to Health project iseasy to complete and provideseverything you need to be a safecyclist” and “I really enjoyed the dayand it was good to get out with staffand other patients and mix witheverybody in the community.”

After a successful launch the nextstage is to engage as many patients inthe programme as possible, and makenext year’s Sky Ride an even biggerevent for both staff and patients atArnold Lodge.

Congratulations go to Nurse Practitioner Mick Collins, who graduated in Augustwith a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sheffield.

Mick has been working within the Trust for the last 25 years, with a significantproportion of that time spent in forensic mental health research. He haspublished extensively and worked on some significant national andinternational research programmes.

Over the last three years Mick has also been undertaking additional clinicaltraining in cognitive behavioural therapy and has specialised in treating posttraumatic stress disorder in the Trust’s Centre for Trauma Resilience and Growth.

The PhD spanned more than eight years of work investigating links betweentrait hostility and aggression. For more about Mick Collins see this month’s‘Q&A’ article on page 11.

Graduation congratulations

The Let’s Build training resource hasbeen awarded direct claims status byCity & Guilds – a very rare achievementon a first inspection.

Let’s Build became a City & Guildsaccredited centre earlier this year to deliverNVQ health and social care at levels 2 and3 and teacher training 7300 and PTTLS.Now, on its first inspection by City & Guilds,the centre has been awarded ‘direct claims’status, meaning that the team can directlyaward NVQs without needing to referdecisions to City & Guilds for approval first.

Let’s Build aims to provide information,training, support, and advice around drugsand alcohol issues. It provides training to

4

Mick Collins at hisgraduation ceremony.

The Trent occupationaltherapists learning disabilitiesspecial interest group isbringing togetheroccupational therapylearning disability teams fromaround the Trent region topromote sharing and learningfrom each others’ experiencesand ideas.

The special interest group is anofficial locality grouprecognised by the College ofOccupational Therapy’s

Specialist Section – People withLearning Disabilities (COTSS-PLD). Meetings takes place fourtimes a year and last for aroundtwo hours. The meetings areheld open to occupationaltherapy learning disabilityteams across the Trent region(Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire,Leicestershire and Lincolnshire)and venues are rotated aroundeach locality.

The group provides a forum tonetwork and exchange ideas

and share research projects andfindings, assessment tools andcare pathways. It also providespeer support and promotescontinual professionaldevelopment opportunities.Some group members haverecently developed a practiceplacement education toolwhich will be highly beneficialto therapists taking onstudents.

“The meeting is really valuableand essential to the

development of both nationaland local services,” saidGemma Simkin, OccupationalTherapist, City East CommunityLearning Disability Team.

The group has recently beenfortunate enough to obtainfunding for three occupationaltherapists to attend theNational Conference forCOTSS-PLD to further recentdiscussions on the future of thespecialist occupational therapyrole within learning disabilities.

Special interest group promotesshared learning and development

Let’s Build awarded direct claims statusstaff and volunteers working with peopleaccessing drug and alcohol services and offers awide range of courses that help develop thecompetence and confidence necessary to workwith substance use. Let’s Build also facilitatesconsultation work around various issues relatingto drugs and alcohol and attends events toprovide information on drugs and alcohol.

As part of the quality assurance processinvolved with delivering NVQs, an externalmoderator from City & Guilds visits Let’s Buildon a regular basis. The team came away fromthe recent first visit with no action plans asthe inspector was very happy with the deliveryand organisation of the NVQs. Comments inthe report included: “There was evidence ofexcellent support for candidates” and “the

centre is developing some excellentpractice”.

Let’s Build is now working with City &Guilds to deliver an NVQ specificallydesigned for people working with drugand alcohol users. For more informationplease contact the office on 01623652743 and ask for Cath Vasey.

Let’s Build’s current training programmecan be found at www.letsbuild.org.ukor on the Intranet under Learning andDevelopment. If you are interested indoing any of Let’s Build’s training orhave a group of people that would liketo access it please call 01623 652743 oremail john.gough@nottshc.nhs.uk.

Trust service users have wonno fewer than 58 awards inthis year’s Koestler Trustprison art awards.

The Koestler Trust is the UK's best-known prison arts charity. It hasbeen awarding, exhibiting and sellingartworks by offenders, detainees andsecure patients for 47 years. Itsannual awards receive over 5,000entries a year, inspiring offenders totake part in the arts, work forachievement and transform their lives.

The entries come in 52 artformsincluding creative writing, employmentprojects, film, graphic design, music,needlework, painting and drawing,photography and sculpture. Winningentries from the Trust’s service usersincluded weaving, photography, music,papier mâché, fiction, stage play,painting, drawing, needlecraft, woodcraft,graphic design, fashion, and film.

Each year experts from the various fieldsvolunteer their time to judge the entries.Every entrant is sent a participationcertificate, most get feedback on theirwork, and a quarter win cash prizes upto £100. The awards have a profound

impact on offenders’ self-esteem, often

leading them to positive new directionsin life.

Simon Balmer,Technical Instructor,Wathwood Hospital,said: “The Koestlerawards providepatients with a realopportunity toshowcase their talents.Many of our patientscome to us with littleor no creativeexperience. To see theamount of pride andsense of achievement they get from theirown work being recognised andacknowledged is immense.

“For many patients, working towards theaward is a real turning point and in

their own words they feel thatthey are not just ‘doing

art’, they now

have a real purpose and something toaspire to. Some patients have spoken ofthis being the first time in their livesthat it has been acknowledged that theyhave done something to be proud of.”

In this year’s awards service users fromArnold Lodge received 21 awards;Rampton Hospital won 30; WathwoodHospital took five and two went to theWells Road Centre. Congratulations to

everyone who took part.

“Terrace” by Lee Yarrow – platinum award (ceramic). This piece also won the Dick Dowdall commended award and will beexhibited in London at the South Bank Centre, along with 145 other art works shortlisted from 5,619 submitted pieces.

Book your placeand practiceyour catching forthe Nice Try!Festival of Rugby

5Positive October 2010

Trust service usersrecognised inprison arts awards The Nice Try! Tag Rugby League will

be launched on Friday 22 Octoberat the Nice Try! Festival of Rugby.The Festival invites service users,carers and members of the public ofall abilities to join in this fun, non-contact version of the sport.

The event will be held at PavioursRugby Club at Burntstump Parkbetween 11am and 3pm. To bookyour place by the closing date of 15October please contact Lisa Evanson 0115 969 1300 ext 10507 orlisa.evans@nottshc.nhs.uk.

Top: “Sheep Dog” by ConCare art group – silveraward (mosaic).

Middle: “Net Huts” by LeonJobling – platinum award(ceramic).

6

Releasing Timeto Care: finalcohorts updateFollowing last month’s progressupdate on the Releasing Time toCare project, this month weupdate you on cohorts two, threeand four.

All wards in cohort two have completed theinitial facilitation. The Learning DisabilityServices Assessment and Treatment Unit hasredesigned its ward office and now haspurpose-built shelving and work areas in itsstorage rooms. It is working on the safe andsupportive observations module and hascompleted the meals module, as hasDaybrook. Bronte Ward has progressed withthe handover module and will pilot a displayboard to keep clinical information available.

In cohort three, the Queen’s Medical Centre(QMC) A42 assessment ward started the

project in November2009. It has embeddedthe foundationmodules and processmodule leads haveengaged colleagues instandardising wardround and medicinesprocesses.

Teams on A43 and A44are enabling patients touse cooking facilities to promote healthymeals, choice and recovery principles. A43has finished a games room and is drivingforward the therapeutic interventions modulein direct response to patient feedback.‘Protected time’ continues to be successfulon A43, ensuring patients have dailyprotected time with the nursing team anduninterrupted mealtimes.

A44 has designed a ward vision and ‘patientstatus at a glance’ board, providingimmediate access to information. It hasintroduced a daily breakfast meeting to planactivities and increased its direct patient caretime by 27%.

In cohort four, Dovecote Lane isthe first residential team tostart the programme. The teamhas embraced ‘well organisedward’ concepts to becomeclutter-free, well signed, brightand welcoming. As a directresult of the therapeuticinterventions module residentsnow have two plannedactivities every day.

B2 at Bassetlaw has used the wardcommunity meeting to maintaininvolvement and generate ideas.

The Mother & Baby Unit at QMC hasused safety crosses to evidence wardactivity and the team is working on theprocess module admissions anddischarge. The Mother & Baby Unitdisplays results of its own inpatientsurvey, visually articulating improvementsin patient experience.

Look out in next month’s Positive for areview of the benefits and challenges ofthe Releasing Time to Care project.

CLAHRC update Art therapy ‘invest to innovate’project successAn art therapy project known as ‘Invest toInnovate’ has been hailed a success. The project ranfrom January 2009 to September 2010 and offered arttherapy to service users within the Trust’s LearningDisability Directorate. The treatment was tailored to theneeds of individual service users and the project engagedspecifically with service users referred to the CommunityAssessment and Treatment Team North and the NewarkCommunity Learning Disability Team (CLDT).

The aims of the project were to:• Measure and evidence the effectiveness of art therapy

over a long term period for adults with a learningdisability within the Trust.

• Make recommendations about the effectiveness of aspecialist art therapy service in the future.

• Improve access to psychological therapies and increasethe opportunities available to people who access thelearning disability service.

Art therapy is the use of art materials as a means of self-expression and self-reflection within a professionalrelationship with a trained art therapist, and in thecontext of a therapeutic or treatment setting. It can beparticularly helpful to people who find it difficult toexpress their thoughts and feelings verbally.

Graeme Currie has confirmedthat he is leaving his role asDirector of CLAHRC - NDL(Collaboration for Leadershipin Applied Health Researchand Care – Nottinghamshire,Derbyshire and Lincolnshire)with effect from 1 January2011 to take up a position atWarwick Business School.

In the two years with theCLAHRC, Graeme has led theteam in the development of arobust business andorganisational developmentmodel which will, in time, see theevidence of research beingfollowed through into clear,evidence based practice. Diffusionfellows are already taking muchof the learning into theirorganisations.

The CLAHRC is now moving togreater mobilisation of theworkstreams and engagementwith partners, systems andstructures. The emphasis now ison clinical results and so theintent is to seek a new Director

to continue with the workalready established and to takeclinical, practice baseddevelopments forward.

Graeme commented: “I wouldlike to give my personal thanksto the CLAHRC Board and MikeCooke in particular, as Chair, forhis personal and professionalsupport, encouragement andleadership, as we bid for, gainedsupport for and mobilised theCLAHRC. I am sure Mike willcontinue to be an importantelement of the CLAHRC’ssuccess, with his progressive anddistributed style of leadership.”

Mike also commented: ”Graemetakes with him our best wishesfor the next stage of his career.He has developed the CLARHCto a point where real impactscan be felt in clinical practice – Ilook forward to working with hissuccessor to make sure thatpatients, service users and carersall benefit from the serviceimprovements that this greatresearch function can bring.”

7Positive September 2010

Service users’ albumto launch at city centrerecord store“Attractive, bright and bold,” are thewords used by Anti-Stigma CampaignManager Jonathan Wright to describe thepiece of artwork voted to be the cover ofPositive Note Records’second album, ‘Labels’.

A number of pieces ofartwork by artists whoaccess services across theTrust were displayed in theInvolvement Centre inDuncan Macmillan House.The winning piece, byNicola Page, was selected following a vote byexecutives, staff and services users.

“It’s a lovely surprise to be chosen,” saidNicola, who, after a diagnosis of depressionfive years ago, got involved with art via mentalhealth services. “People with mental healthproblems experience some really horriblelabels, but by meeting other service users Ifound that there are many lovely ones too.That’s what I tried to show with my artwork.”

‘Labels’ follows the debut album ‘Music iswhat feelings sound like’, which was launchedduring Mental Health Weeks last October. Itfeatures songs by musicians from across theTrust who have accessed mental healthservices.

“Last year the theme of stigma was subtle,”said Jonathan, who had the idea to producethe albums. “This year it’s more overt. Thealbum promotes equality, it’s very diverse, andit aims to reduce the stigma that surroundsmental health.”

Musicians have been performing their tracksat a number of live shows across the Trust,including Worksop’s new and improved library,the HUB. The HUB performance, hosted byTrax FM, takes place on Thursday 14 October,shortly after the album’s premiere on 7October at the Fopp record store inNottingham.

Jonathan was delighted with the venue for thelaunch, saying: “It’s not a mental health place;it’s an actual music venue. It gets the messageof anti-stigma out into the mainstream.”

“We’re inside, not on the roof,” he continued.“It’s one better than The Beatles!”

Look out in next month’s Positive for moreabout the album launch.

Wathwood Hospitalproduce carers’ DVDWathwood Hospital Carers’ Forumhas produced a DVD aimed at carersof newly admitted patients. The short 12-minute film features carers sharingtheir experiences; a staff nurse giving hisview about the importance of carersbeing involved; professionals discussingthe important role of the Carers’ Forumand carers talking about positiveoutcomes of care received fromWathwood.

Carers of newly admitted patients willnow be given a copy of the DVD alongwith other welcome information to helpthem cope with some of the difficultiesassociated with the admission of theirrelative and encourage their positiveengagement with the care team.

Wathwood Hospital has also appointeda part time carers support worker,funded through The National Institute

for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE),who will work with carers to promotetheir involvement in patient care and toprovide them with valuable support andinformation.

“I think the DVD is a really good andgenuine product,” said Steve Ball,General Manager at Wathwood. “I hopeit will give reassurance and hope tocarers, supplementing our otherprogrammed carer engagementactivity.”

Copies of the DVD are available onrequest from Sally Morris, Social Workerat Wathwood Hospital. Contact Sally on01709 870835.

Client ‘C’ was able to use his arttherapy sessions to explore pastexperiences through his art workwhich were often too difficult forhim to express in words. ‘C’described his art therapy sessions asa place where he could ‘get stuffout’. Putting his past experiences onpaper allowed him to think aboutand express his feelings about what

had happened in the past. He wasable to reflect and demonstrate someinsight into his current difficulties andbehaviours as he began to makesense of what happened in the past.‘C’ increasingly grew in confidencewithin the sessions as the therapyprogressed and he began to feelmore comfortable trying out new artmaterials and techniques.

� Art Therapy in Action

The involvement of art therapy in CAT North and NewarkCLDT enriched the teams by providing a psychologicaltherapy which is accessible in ways that a verbal therapy isnot. Clients were able to express and communicate theirfeelings safely. As clients made progress in the therapy itspositive effects were recognised by themselves, carers, familiesand referrers. Art therapy has improved access to psychologicaltherapies and increased the opportunities available topeople who access the Learning Disability Service.

The response to the ‘Invest to Innovate’ project fromprofessionals, carers and referrers was overwhelminglypositive. They believe that art therapy is an importantand relevant service within learning disabilities, whichbenefited clients who worked with the therapist. Ofthose clients who responded to a feedbackquestionnaire, 80% felt that arttherapy had helped them a lot; theother 20% felt it had helped themsome of the time.

AGM demonstratesAlignment, Abilityand Agility

8

The Exhibition stands were genuinelycreative and informative – with greatersecrecy from all the Teams in advance of

this year’s event. This madethe judging much more

exciting and ProfessorClair Chilvers, theHigh Sheriff ofNottinghamshire,Amanda Farr andEimear Strong, StaffGovernor Membertook over an hour tovisit each and everystand – being

accosted on the waywith offerings fromthe Trust’s CateringTeam, with pastries andthen canapés on offer. Allthis in advance of a beautifulhot and cold buffet, showcasing theTrust’s excellent catering facilities.Delegates were also able to take part in arange of interactive workshops includinga Human Library, Healthy Lifestyles andIndividual Placement and Supportworkshops.

The formal part of the day began withan introduction from Professor ClairChilvers who introduced the format ofthe event and formally acknowledgedthe newly electedGovernor Members,who were seated,along with the

Trust Board, at the front of theAuditorium. The new Members’ Councilwill play an important part in shapingthe services that the Trust delivers to thecommunities it serves.

Ruth Hawkins, Director of Finance andPerformance, then delivered a review of2009/2010 – and formally published theAnnual Report and Accounts. Thiscreatively produced document, illustratedby portraits of staff, service users andcarers tells the story – in scrap bookstyle – of highlights and key events ofthe year. It is accompanied by theAnnual Involvement Report and theQuality Report. The three documents areavailable to download from the Trust’swebsite and in hard copy on request.

Mike Cooke, Chief Executive, thenintroduced some examples of excellencethat he had noted through the year. DrAdarsh Kaul presented on thedevelopments within Prison in Reach

services and the positiveimpact these have hadon patients with highlevels of satisfactionreported. Dr Kaulalso highlighted keyachievementsthroughout theyear includingthe team’s

he theme for this year’s AGM wasAligned, Able and Agile and that wasdemonstrated in a wide variety of ways,with 426 delegates made up of serviceusers, carers, partners, the voluntary

sector and staff coming together in a vibrant,stimulating atmosphere at the Trent Vineyard inNottingham. Numbers this year were restricted, dueto increased financial pressures, and a more publicfacing event; but that did not stop the enthusiasmof everyone involved – in whatever capacity.

T

9Positive October 2010

selection as regional winners in theHealth and Social Care Awards 2009 andfinalists in the Health Service Journal’sMental Health Innovation Award 2009.

Jo Horsley and Rob Rodgers from theCounty Recovery Group gave aninsightful overview of Recovery withinthe Trust, emphasising that recovery is

not about cure but aboutreaching your potential, andthe importance ofpartnership working and aperson centred approach thatis inclusive and holistic.Finally, Steve Williamson,Project Lead for the ReleasingTime to Care project,introduced a short film aboutthe Releasing Time to Careproject, including views fromservice users and staff about

its many benefits and how this hasincreased direct patient care.

Mike Cooke then set the AGM’s‘Aligned, Able and Agile’ theme incontext, outlining how the Trust isAligned – we have direction withpurpose, Able – we deliver consistently,and Agile – we can respond, with and for

others. Mike also spoke about thegolden thread of high quality leadershiprunning throughout the organisation,our future Foundation Trust status,innovation and recovery, and how weall have a part to play in the excitingand challenging times ahead.

The formal part of the AGM wasconcluded with a thought-provokingperformance from the SamanyaTheatre Company, focusing on twoyoung people’s experiences of differentmental health problems. Theperformance was introduced by VickyBaldwin, Education and PracticeConsultant at the Institute of MentalHealth, who explained the context ofthe performance, exploring triggers,coping strategies and support networks.The emotional health and wellbeingproject is being delivered by theSamanya Theatre Company, inpartnership with the Trust and theInstitute of Mental Health, throughone hour drama performances insecondary schools.

Thank you to everyone whoparticipated in making the event asuccess. Feedback received has beenvery positive, with comments including:‘It was a great day’, ‘It was brilliant’and ‘The whole day was enlighteningand informative’.

Judging the exhibitions

Exhibition Judging Results:1. Equality and Diversity2. Dieticians – Child and Adolescent

Mental Health Services, AdultMental Health and LearningDisability

3. BME Mentoring Group

1410

Visitors to Nottingham’s Brewhouse Yard Museum can view anexhibition of textile artwork created by a group of service usersfrom the Trust’s Social Inclusion and Wellbeing Service.

Organisers Jacqui Hudson-Scott and Yvette Deverill (both occupational therapytechnical instructors) worked with the museum’s curator to identify a smallnumber of artefacts from many that are usually kept in storage for the studentsto use as inspiration.

Local textile artist Nadim Chaudry thenled a series of six workshops duringthe summer, in which the studentswere encouraged to work withideas around mentalhealth and the way inwhich many peopleprotect themselvesemotionally from lifeand from hurt tocreate pieces oftextile art.

The resulting work isnow on display in theBrewhouse Yard Museumalong with the artefacts andnotebooks showing the students’research and progress throughoutthe workshops.

The exhibition will be on displayuntil November 2010. Themuseum is open Tuesday toSunday from 10am to 4pm.

Main: The group at workcreating their pieces; Inset: Nicola Page’sartwork, showing abrightly coloured front buta grey ‘brain’ back section.

Public exhibitionof service users’textile artwork

Landmark partnership for InstituteDelegates to next month’s FoundationAnniversary Lunch of the Institute ofMental Health will be able to hear moreabout its new partnership agreementwith the Centre for Mental Health(formerly the Sainsbury Centre forMental Health). The two organisationssigned a memorandum of understandingearlier this year to lay out the groundworkfor forging a closer alliance in years aheadand making the best use of shared resources.

“I’m fine”Nicola Page is a service user whotook part in the project. She writesabout her experience:

I suffer from depression and my firstsession on this project was a nightmarefor various reasons. Given my mood Idecided I’d like to produce somethingbased on the helmets we’d seen,wishing that it was possible to somehowput a physical barrier between my brainand those things that tip my depressionout of control. However, as the weekspassed, my mood stabilised and theidea for my work evolved.

“I’m fine” is often my response to thequestion, “how are you doing?”. Likemany other depressives who say it, I’mnot actually fine at all. My wretchedillness is a constant, exhausting drain,both mentally and physically. Dayswhen I’m “fine” are the days I havethe strength in body and spirit to puton the outward façade of normality.

Hence the front of the piece I createdis bright and cheerful, although theeyes are covered, so no-one could looktoo closely to see what lies behind. It’sthe ‘face’, the metaphorical armour ofpretending you’re OK and hoping no-one chips away at the front you’reputting on. But at the back still liesthe no man’s land of depression, abrain that’s often black and bleak.

Very early on in my depression Idiscovered the power of creativeactivities in helping to manage myillness but this is the first time I haveproduced something directly inspiredby my illness and it has been veryrewarding and cathartic.

11Positive October 2010

q&a

Sean Duggan, Joint Chief Executive of theCentre for Mental Health, which iscelebrating its 25th anniversary this year,will be speaking at the event which takesplace at The University of Nottingham onWednesday 3 November. He will join anumber of local and national speakers toexplore the theme of partnership working.

As a prestigious and expanding researchorganisation, the Institute is able to bringto the partnership substantial academicskills and resources. In turn the Centre forMental Health is a highly respected thirdsector think tank with a strong network

of links both politically and among leaders andpractitioners in the mental health field acrossthe UK and abroad.

Sean Duggan added: “I am delighted that theCentre is working together with the Institute ofMental Health to achieve better life chances forpeople with mental health problems in the UK.Our two organisations have a lot in common andthere remains much to do to ensure people withmental health problems get a fair chance in life.The Institute’s high academic research standards,and our focus on informing policy and practicewith good evidence, create a perfect partnershipfor future work between us.”

Professor Mike Cooke, Trust ChiefExecutive, commented: “I am excited tobe a part of this collaboration. Bringingtogether knowledge, research andacademic skills with the practical know-how to implement such resources canonly be of benefit to the one in fourpeople in the country who experiencemental ill-health.”

If you are interested in attending theInstitute of Mental Health’s FoundationAnniversary Lunch, please contact LornaViikna on 0115 823 1301 or emaillorna.viikna@nottshc.nhs.uk.

q What is your job title and whatdoes your role entail?a I have recently changed roles and amworking as a CBT therapist in theBassetlaw Improving Access toPsychological Therapies Service.

q How long have you been withNottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust?a This is my 25th year.

q What do you see as your prioritiesfor Nottinghamshire Healthcare?a To highlight the importance andutilisation of evidence derived fromresearch in clinical practice and also tohelp clinicians improve their professionalstatus through research.

q What is your employmentbackground?a I qualified as a mental health nurse,working in Rampton Hospital. I then wenton to spend 15 years in clinical forensicresearch. Latterly I have been extendingmy clinical skills training in CBT andworking predominantly in the Trust’sCentre for Trauma.

q What is the best piece of adviceyou have ever been given?a Someone once told me this quote fromReinhold Niebuhr, an Americantheologian: “Grant me the serenity toaccept the things I cannot change; thecourage to change the things I can; andthe wisdom to know the difference”.

q What was the last CD you bought?a Blood of the Nations by Accept.

q What is your greatest achievement?a Gaining my PhD and seeing much ofmy research work utilised to strengthenevidence based practice for patients andstaff.

q What makes you angry?a Discourtesy.

q What are you most passionate about?a Clinically relevant research that is utilisedfor the benefit of patients and staff. Andnot forgetting playing rock guitar with ourband ‘Redemption’.

q What single thing would improveyour working life at NottinghamshireHealthcare?a The last three years have been fairlyuncertain for me so I would have to say‘stability’.

q What is your favourite hobby?a Playing rock guitar.

q What keeps you awake at night?a Not following the good advice in myanswer to question 5.

q What is your favourite film?a Aces High.

q What is your idea of bliss?a A late summer evening by the sea relaxingin a taverna on a quiet Greek island.

q What three words would you useto describe yourself?a Compassionate, committed andfocused.

q What is your favourite holidaydestination?a The Greek island of Ithaca.

q Who would you take to a desertisland?a My wife.

q Where do you see yourself in 10years’ time?a I would like to think that I will be in arole that makes the best use of myresearch and clinical skills.

q Do you have a ‘claim to fame’?a A couple of my major publishedresearch projects are recognisednationally and internationally and utilisedwidely in this context.

q How would you like to beremembered?a It would be good to think that I hadmade a positive difference for people.

This month we chatwith CognitiveBehavioural Therapist(CBT) Mick Collins

12

HealthInformaticsService

Health InformaticsUpdate – Change toMicrosoft Office homeuse licencesMany of you will be aware thathistorically NHS staff were able to obtainMicrosoft software licences, primarilyMicrosoft Office, for use at home. Thiswas known as the Microsoft Home UserProgram and was a privilege gained underthe terms and conditions of the NHSEnterprise Agreement with Microsoft.

It has been widely reported in the pressthat the NHS has not renewed thisagreement; this is correct. For the majorityof the Microsoft software we use at workthe non renewal makes little or nodifference. We simply lose the ability to

Inset: Service user Michael Limerick from DovecoteLane, Beeston, tried his hand at drumming. Above: Tags hanging on the pear tree.

complementary therapy sessions. Displaysprovided information on spirituality, lifestory and food and mood.

Katja Milner ran the reflection workshop.She said: “We reflected on the theme ofappreciation – both for aspects in ourlives and also for aspects in ourselves. Ifacilitated a visualisation to help peoplereflect on this and then invited people towrite on a tag something they werethankful for and something they felt theycould give. These could be very small andsimple things. Then people went up tothe pear tree one by one and tied theirtags to it. They were invited to say a littleprayer or blessing or make a wish orintention as they did so.

“The day was a great opportunity tobring people together to be outdoors, toeat, drink, mingle, celebrate, find outinformation and try out some fun,challenging, reflective or relaxingactivities. I think these are the thingswhich really are central to many people’swellbeing or spirituality; being togetherwith others, friendship and connection,being nurtured on all levels – physically,emotionally, mentally and spiritually.”

A spirituality and wellbeing event inAugust was so well received that theorganisers are now making plans torepeat a similar event on a regular basis.

The idea came about as Des Haigh,Deputy Team Leader at 35 Dovecote Lane,saw how well one of his service users wassupported by the congregation at thechurch he attended.

Des met with the church’s minister andbegan to work with Katja Milner, TrustSpirituality Healthcare Worker, andSupport Worker Helen Baxter to exploregood work already going on in the area ofspirituality and consider how it could betaken forward.

The group decided to set up sessions opento anyone whatever their beliefs, religiousor spiritual background, to reflect, shareand celebrate their unique spirit together.

To offer an opportunity to sample theplanned sessions and to assess interest,they put together a ‘trial’ event. Central tothe day was a spiritual reflective,meditational workshop. Alongside it ranmusic and circus skills workshops and

Focus onspiritualityand wellbeing

13Positive October 2010

Successcelebrated atCLAHRC-NDLconferenceMore than 250 delegatesattended the CLAHRC-NDLannual conference inNottingham in September – andnow highlights of the event areavailable to view online.

CLAHRC-NDL stands forCollaboration for Leadership inApplied Health Research and Carewith the centre coveringNottinghamshire, Derbyshire andLincolnshire. It is housed withinthe Institute of Mental Health andaims to speed up the process ofgetting research into practice.

The conference placed the spotlighton areas where the involvement ofCLAHRC-NDL is making a realdifference to services through itsapplied research and implementationstudies. It also considered othertopics such as how local healthcommunities can become active‘communities of practice’.

Visitors to the www.clahrc-ndl.nihr.ac.uk website can view theconference video and download thenew CLAHRC-NDL newsletterwhich contains all the latest storieson major research areas and theimpact being made.

Articles cover a range of areasincluding:•Helping to prevent depression in

adolescents•Assisting people with mental health

difficulties to find employment•Addressing the lack of information

on psychological problemsfollowing personal injury

•Innovative approaches tosupporting patients who have hada stroke

•Reviewing research into tacklinghealth inequalities

•Overcoming barriers about gettingresearch into practice.

Find out more about CLAHRC-NDL by visiting the website, calling0115 823 1253 or emailingclahrc@nottingham.ac.uk.

International linksfor women’s service

HealthInformaticsService

upgrade the licensed Microsoft software tothe latest versions and have to locallypurchase this software in future rather thanit being paid for centrally.

However, for those of you who did obtainhome use software (which almost certainlywould have been Microsoft Office 2003 orOffice 2007), if you read the licenceagreement you will know that with thetermination of the NHS-wide licenceagreement you no longer have the right toretain and use this software.

The Health Informatics Service (HIS) isobliged to advise you to remove any copiesof the software that you have installed onpersonal equipment. Clearly the HIS is not ina position, nor is required, to physically checkthat you have uninstalled the software, butremember that Microsoft does electronicallycheck the licence when the productundertakes routine automatic updates.

Despite the termination of the NHSEnterprise Agreement, Microsoftcontinues, for the time being, to offer theNHS Resource Centre(www.microsoft.com/uk/nhs), which hasvarious offers as well as e-learning formany IT skills orientated towards theneeds of the NHS.

Unfortunately, the HIS cannot offer anyadvice as to what applications you shouldchoose to use to replace your MicrosoftOffice software. However, you canpurchase Microsoft software at the fullcost. Alternatively, there are many'freeware' applications that claim to offercomparable functionality that you maywish to consider. A good place to startyour research would be to put "MicrosoftOffice clone" into a search engine, butremember there is no guarantee of fullcompatibility and our Service Desk cannothelp resolve any issues that may arise.

A group of Trust colleaguesflew out to Canada in Mayto facilitate a workshoptitled ‘Promoting positiverisk reduction throughsystemic change: Thedelivery of the Trauma andSelf Injury Programme forwomen in a high securehealthcare setting’.

The group from the Traumaand Self Injury ProgrammeSteering Group from theNational High SecureHealthcare Service forWomen, Rampton Hospital,attended the 10th annualconference of theInternational Association ofForensic Mental HealthServices in Vancouver.

The National Institutefor Health and ClinicalExcellence (NICE) funded programmeuses an adapted riskreduction approach.Level 1 looks atproactive ways of

promoting understandingthrough staff training andpatient education; level 2involves collaborativeworking in a positivetherapeutic milieu so thatthe women can managetheir distress and urges toself injure in non lifethreatening ways; level 3increases individual andgroup therapies for traumaand self injury such asdialectical behaviourtherapy, cognitive behaviourtherapy, cognitive analytictherapy and eye movementdesensitisation reprocessing.

The conference audience

included professionalsworking with women inCanada, America, the UKand Norway. The workshopprovoked lively debateabout the management ofself injury including anadapted risk reductionapproach. Links have sincebeen established to sharepractice and the teamintends to maintain anddevelop these links.

The group also providedinformation to interestedvisitors on the National HighSecure Healthcare Servicefor Women display stand atthe Trust’s AGM.

The presenters at the conference in Vancouver. Left to right: Dr Sue Elcock, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist; Christine Millburn,Nurse Consultant; Jane Jones, Specialist Nursing Practitioner; Dr Phyllis Annesley, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

he Mike Harris Learningand Development Centrehas opened at RamptonHospital, offering abright, state of the artcentre for training and

conferences. The centre, built at a costof £3.5 million, is named after Dr MikeHarris, the Trust’s Executive Director withresponsibility for the Forensic Division.Mike, who has managed RamptonHospital since 2001, has played animportant part in the development of theTrust as the leading provider of forensicmental health services in the country.

The centre has five separate fully airconditioned training rooms, which can becombined for multi use, and boasts aconference room with high spec audiovisual provision, ergonomically designedseating and flexible table arrangements.A full catering menu is available onrequest at competitive rates.

The centre is also the base for the largestforensic library in the country. It isstocked with a range of books andperiodicals exemplifying RamptonHospital’s leading status as provider ofthree national services.

14

Top: the outside of the building. Above: the library. Right: one of the training rooms.

Mike Harris Learning andDevelopment Centre now open

TThe Mike Harris Learning and DevelopmentCentre has been designed with theenvironment in mind and will continue todeliver ecologically sustainable serviceswherever possible. One third of the centre’senergy is taken from renewable energyresources.

The centre will also host a range of art work,with exhibitions drawing from the wideportfolio of work from the patient group atRampton and local artists.

Mike Harris commented: “It’s usual for a newbuilding to be named after someone who hasdied or is retiring but I am planning on neitherof those yet! I am immensely proud of thisnew building and the facilities that we cannow provide for our staff and indeed the localcommunity. I look forward to the centrebecoming a popular and effective conferencevenue, with its wide variety of potential uses.”

15Positive October 2010

A group of learning disabilityservice users and carers hasbeen signed up to take part inthe Trust’s interview processafter completing a four-daytraining course.

The Employment and ResourcingInterview Forum is well establishedin the Trust and provides experiencedinterview panel members to drive theTrust initiative to involve carers andservice users in interviews. As part ofthis initiative, Learning DisabilityServices has run a course for serviceusers and their carers about how tointerview for staff.

The course took place over fourweeks at The Rosewood InvolvementCentre. It included equality anddiversity training (delivered byCatherine Conchar) and broke downthe essential components of aninterview, person specifications andquestions including how to structure,ask and score them. The course was

well evaluated by the attendees whosaid they liked the role play andinteractive nature of the days.

Paul Theed, Matron, said: “Whatmade it for me was hearing someonesay it was the first course she hadbeen on where she had fullyunderstood what was going on.”

Deb Blinkhorn, HR Recruitment andTeam Leader, commented: “It isrewarding to see that people were ableto participate fully in the trainingsessions and have had the opportunityto put their learning into practice.”

Michelle Persaud, Associate Directorof Nursing (Local Services), presentedthe certificates and told the groupthat she would like them to beinvolved in the recruitment for asenior post she was advertising. Eachtrainee also received a training folderwith accessible information for futureuse. The participants came up withtheir own methods to score andrecord.

A second course in Nottingham isalready full and there is a waiting list fora third. A refresher day is planned fortrainees to come and share experiencesand refresh skills.

Thanks go to all the trainers: Paul Theed,Deb Blinkhorn, Catherine Conchar, PaulRobinson, Jane Danforth, MichellePersaud and Mary Bickford Smith.

For course details contact Paul Theed on0115 9770000 ext 12140 or emailpaul.theed@nottshc.nhs.uk.

Interview skills training – a first for learning disabilities

The successful service users with trainers and support workers.

about opportunities for involvementwithin the Trust.

A ‘tree of hope’ was usedto help achieve thesecond aim. Carers, familyand friends were asked towrite their hopes or wisheson leaves and placethem on the tree ofhope. Some of thewishes included:• A carer support

group in thelocal area.

• A carer support worker post to beestablished.

• Respite care to be brought back intothe Trust.

• One of these events annually in Newarkand Mansfield areas (staff from theMansfield area are already planning asimilar event).

• Someone to tell carers, friends andfamily about medication.

Jane Lord, Manager of Enright Close,said: “We now know what carers, familyand friends want, so let’s move forwardwith this without delay.”

Feedback showed that the day was anoverwhelming success, with muchlaughter and chatter in a really relaxedenvironment. One carer said: “It’s just sogood to feel valued for the care that I giveto my loved one and also to feel listenedto and heard.”

For any further information please contactJoan McKenzie (Enright Close) on 01636702719, Jo Fuller (Meden Ward) on 01623784776, Sarah Blaydes (RosewoodInvolvement Centre) on 01623 835210 orAndrea Emmens (Family InterventionsService) on 01909 502068.

Newark carer,family and friendsevent a successEnright Close CommunityRehabilitation Unit hosted a successfulcarer, family and friends afternoon inAugust. The event was organised inpartnership with carer/family workchampions from the Newark area andservice user and carer volunteers fromRosewood Involvement Centre.

The occasion had two aims: to informcarers, family and friends of servicescurrently available in the Newark area andto find out what services carers, familyand friends would like to see developed.

To achieve the first aim representativesfrom voluntary agencies, the localauthority’s carer assessment team, thecounty’s newly developed familyinterventions service and the Trust were allon hand to talk about services available.Carer and service user volunteers fromRosewood Involvement Centre also spoke

Ingrid Hunt, carer,places a leaf on the treeof hope, while carerJean Astle looks on.

Poetry cornerService user Lynda Marriott wrote this poem as an expressionof her internal feelings whilst an inpatient “to show thatmental illness is nothing to be afraid of and that people witha mental illness are not bad people but are simply unwell.”

Me! In a police cell, I cannot believe.What has this come to, my drinking must cease.Handcuffs and restraints, they hurt let me say.I need to take stock, this is not the right way.Dignity lost, it’s cold and it’s bleak, No comfy pillows and satin bed sheets.Just misery, pain, hospitals nextRead your reports and get all of the facts.I’ve been ill for a long time I just didn’t know,I certainly do now sat here in this cell.I’m mouthy and violent; I know it’s the drink,I’ve hours, no days, now to sit here and think.No more overdoses, self harming or drink.I pray ward B2 will teach me to think.Positive thoughts I will cling to like glueI get so confused, don’t know what to do.Pick up the phone not the bottle or knife,Learn how to live, have a quality life.Do something each day for somebody else.Count blessings, not tablets, the feelings will pass.God in your wisdom heal my body and mind.Cleanse me and love me one day at a time.I’ll do my utmost to be a vessel for you,Little by little one day at a timeEvery hour, every minute, my will will be thine.No more resistance, my life in your handsHeal my sick mind only you understand.I bow at the cross, lay it at your feet.No more losing, declaring defeat.I’ll climb my own mountain one step at a time,No more sickness I will do my bestI know in my journey I’ll be put to the test.Onwards and upwards that’s the way it will be.I’ll prove to my loved ones there’s strength still in me.A friend and a mother, a nanny, the best.Last chance saloon, you opened your doors,You’re not needed now, it’s time for a pause.I won’t hold my breath yet but just watch this spaceI deserve to be part of this old human raceI’ll give it my all I owe that to meAnd then soar like an eagle and fly away free.

WHO WE ARE... WE NEED YOU!You may have picked up thiscopy of the newsletter notknowing what NottinghamshireHealthcare NHS Trust is. We provide mental health andlearning disability services for thewhole of Nottinghamshire. We also manage medium-secureunits in Leicester and Rotherham,and the high-secure RamptonHospital near Retford.

Printed on Revive · 100% recycled paper

If you have any ideas or suggestions for the newsletter, please contact Suzanne Aitken in the Trust Communications Team on 0115 955 5403 or via email at suzanne.aitken@nottshc.nhs.uk. We are always pleased to receive articles for possible publication, but ask that they do not exceed 300words. If any individuals other than yourself are mentioned in what you write or featured in accompanyingphotographs, please make sure you check with them that they are happy to be potentially featured. Pleasenote that the Communications Team has full editorial control and may have to edit articles appropriately.Therefore, if you want to see the final version please ensure you send your article in with plenty of time beforethe deadline and state clearly what you require.

If you would like copies of any past editions of Positive, or if you are having any ‘distribution issues’ with thenewsletter – whether you’re receiving too many copies, too few, or none at all then please contact us. If youwould like your story in the January issue of Positive, please contact us by 10 December 2010.However, due to space constraints we cannot guarantee the publication of all articles received by the deadline.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, The Resource, Duncan MacMillan House, Porchester Road, Nottingham, NG3 6AA. Tel 0115 9691300www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

Work experience with theCommunications TeamMy name is Holly Wilson. I am 18, and after participating inan anti-stigma postcard campaign with the Trust to raiseawareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,I was given the opportunity to work in the CommunicationsDepartment in the Trust on work experience for a week.

During this week I carried out many tasks including writing apress release, creating blurbs for ‘books’ in the Human Library,making leaflets for various areas of the Trust and taking part in alive interview on BBC Radio Nottingham to talk about the anti-stigma campaign.

I also learnt about the importantwork the CommunicationsDepartment does and its on-goinganti-stigma work. I was given a crashcourse in shorthand, wrote an articlefor Positive magazine, and attendeda ‘Catch Up with Cooke’ session atManor House in Gedling, wherestaff had the chance to talk to MikeCooke, Trust Chief Executive.

I really enjoyed my week with theCommunications Team, especiallybeing able to write for Positive, as Iam going to pursue a career injournalism.

I am very grateful to theCommunications Team forallowing me to join them for aweek, and also for asking me tocontribute to the campaign.

Thank you Comms!

Holly is preparing for a creative writing degree, with an ambition to oneday write for The Guardian. She has bipolar disorder and has been self-harming for several years. In a difficult childhood this behaviour hasled to stays in hospital, but now she has it under control. Holly is one ofthe faces featured in the Trust’s new range of anti-stigma postcards.