The hospital’s “Can we dig it” group, featuring service users from the men’s personality disorder ward, was originally formed in 2013 when a service user spotted an advert from the Canal and River Trust asking for local volunteers. With the help of the hospital’s Occupational Therapy team the Trust were contacted and as a result a section of Elton Reservoir was duly adopted.
In the two years since the formation of the volunteer group they have laid a path around the reservoir and cleared away a lot of undergrowth. There are now over 20 volunteers representing a cross section of the hospital’s service user groups, including the specialist deaf service and ‘The Pathfinders’ group representing another of the men’s personality disorder wards.
The project has been a huge success and has helped service users develop teamwork skills and improve their self-esteem and confidence. It has also given the opportunity for some service users to receive training and certification in the use of powered wheelbarrows and whacker plates. One service user involved in the project remarked, “I personally get great feelings of pride and worth after each day that I volunteer my services, my work ethics are being enforced and strengthened beyond my own expectations.”
In addition the project has had a positive effect on linking mental health services and the local community. Indeed feedback from local residents has been fulsome in its praise for the work carried out.
“I have lived locally for 34 years and in winter or when it’s been raining it’s virtually impossible, especially for the elderly or people unsteady on their feet to walk round the lake. It’s fantastic that now we will be able to walk round safely in all weathers and enjoy it. The fact also that it’s been developed by volunteers from Alpha makes it mean much more. You all should be proud of your hard work especially in the snow and freezing temperatures.”Local resident
The presentation in Manchester was given by Paul O’Keefe, Assistant Occupational Therapist and Siobhan Savage, Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist. The response from members of the Canal and River Trust has been very enthusiastic with the project receiving special praise from the Trust’s Chief Executive, Richard Parry.
Steve O’Sullivan, Canal and Rivers Trust Volunteer Co-ordinator North West, had this to say, “The Canal and Rivers Trust are keen on developing relationships in local communities. The opportunity to link in and work with a health provider such as Alpha/Cygnet Hospitals to offer a scheme that provides experience, training and engagement while improving the local environment shows how successful such projects can be.”
Future plans for the project include building benches that can be placed strategically around the path. In addition there are plans for the service user volunteers themselves to attend the next Canal and Rivers Trust conference.