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Staff Awards Evening Recognises Excellence in Mental Health Services across Gloucestershire

29/11/2007

Staff Awards Evening Recognises Excellence in Mental Health Services across Gloucestershire

Mental Health staff in Gloucestershire have been honoured in a special award event – the ROSCAs, Recognising Outstanding Service and Contribution Awards.”

At the first ever Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s ROSCA awards evening, held at Cheltenham Racecourse last night, staff and teams received awards in nine categories as the winners were announced. 
The Trust had invited nominations for members of staff who go that extra mile to make a difference, teams that have committed to improving the experience of service users and carers, and volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to the Trust.

Winning individuals and teams received a ROSCA trophy and all those shortlisted and those nominated but not shortlisted will receive a framed certificate.

Nine categories were awarded during the evening including the Chief Executive’s Award for Innovation, The Service Users and Carers choice and the Unsung Hero Award for a volunteer.

The awards event was also an opportunity to recognise employees’ long service with the Trust. Staff who have worked for the NHS for 20 and 30 years received a long service award and a framed certificate.
Shaun Clee, Chief Executive said:

“The ROSCAs evening was a special occasion to highlight the tremendous hard work and efforts of staff working across the Trust.

He added that choosing the winners had not been an easy task for the judging panel due to the many high quality entries received.  “The winners are excellent examples of the skilled and dedicated staff we have at Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust whose hard work and enthusiasm allows us to deliver such a high standard of care.”

The awards will be held annually to celebrate the achievements of staff at Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The Unsung Hero Award went to:
John Messenger for his volunteer work with Holly House since 1994. John initially worked three days per week and he now works Wednesdays and Fridays. He is a man of hugely varied talents working closely with the Estates Department for building maintenance projects and supporting social activities including having been ‘Father Christmas’. During the recent water shortage he turned his attention to ensuring that there was sufficient water for the residents.

The Chief Executive Award for Innovation went to:
Mathew Page for the Montpellier Allotment and Co-operative project. This gardening allotment has increased the independence, autonomy, activity, self-esteem and employment prospects of Montpellier patients. The abandoned Severn Enterprise site has been utilised to produce fruit and vegetables for eating with plants and flowers for selling. This innovation has broken down many barriers and pre-conceptions and required huge energy, drive and personal commitment from Mathew. Only this month it was publicised in Amateur Gardening magazine.

The Carer and Service User involvement Award went to:
Kingsholm Ward for Café Kingsholm. This was a collaborative effort between staff and patients during the summer months to run a café each Tuesday at Wotton Lawn Hospital . Staff and patients were interacting as equals as both customers and workers in the café. The venture broke down the perceived power barriers between staff and patients. One patient described it as being a normal type of environment where he could sit with his wife when she visited.

The Service Users and Carers Choice was:
Peter Haile. Support Worker at Denmark Road  for his inspiration to mental health services and users. The nomination form says ‘Peter has a knack of explaining things to you, he has given me confidence to be more positive and to look forward not back. I have now become a volunteer so you can see that Peter has got me round to helping others. Oh and by the way he has helped my wife learn how to cope with me. He has helped me tremendously.’

The Clinical Team of the Year award went to:
The Clinical Team at Wotton Lawn for their seven day a week therapy programme. The team have been instrumental in promoting positive images of mental health, increasing engagement of patients and a ‘feel good factor’ for staff. The therapy programme includes trampolining, line dancing, music, kite making, flower arranging and all staff are encouraged to participate so that the skills of the multidisciplinary team are utilised. 

The Non-Clinical Team of the Year award went to:
The Hotel Services at Wotton Lawn for the wide range of services they provide across the Trust and particularly at Wotton Lawn. The team has always scored highly in PEAT inspections. Patients are provided with a reliable food service, clean living areas and bedrooms and the team maintain homely furnishings and fittings. Without the commitment and effort of this team, staff and service users time in hospital would be significantly worse.

The Innovative Contribution to Work-life Balance award went to:
Helen Elliott, Unit Manager at Laurel House, Gloucester for her support and understanding of work related or personal problems for her team. The nomination forms say –

The Best Supporting Colleague Award went to:
Ron Barker, from the Recovery Team at Park House, Stroud  for his ‘can do’ approach. Ron is due to retire on 14 December and he will be greatly missed. He helps the wheels turn smoothly and safely. Problems are his ‘bag’. He gives endless hugs and support and he is very approachable. He knows where to find the dip stick on the pool car, how to put curtains up and how to help new staff settle in.

The Best Supporting Manager Award went to:
Alison Curson, Team Leader for the Assertive Community Treatment Team based in Cheltenham for being very ‘hands on’ with endless commitment, professionalism, energy and sheer good humour. She is unassuming, rock-solid and reliable. Alison inspires others to be confident. She helps team members gain respect for themselves. Alison is dedicated and enthusiastic, she motivates, enables and develops staff continuously and is a superb ambassador for the NHS. Alison has made a real change to service users’ lives by motivating staff.

Trust Headquarters, Rikenel, Montpellier, Gloucester GL1 1LY
Tel: 01452 891000 Fax: 01452 891105 E-Mail