The virtual awards ceremony was the ninth annual National Service User Awards, with the Service User Choice Award being decided by a live vote on the day. Last year the award was named after Mark Britton, an individual who championed both the awards and the voices of service users before he sadly passed away in July 2019.
Cygnet Sedgley House and Lodge submitted a nomination for their therapeutic work programmes project, an initiative developed in partnership with the service users when COVID-19 stopped their usual vocational community based activities. The service users took on new, important roles within the hospital such as supporting PPE Audits, CPR drills and other essential tasks.
Staff at the service said, “Co-production is so important here at Sedgley as it empowers the service users to develop independence and build confidence. During COVID-19 we had to think of some things to keep the guys busy as their schedules were already effected enough by the virus. The works programmes really helped with this and gave them something to occupy them, but it really helped us work together as a team.”
As well as improving the service user’s vocational skills, the programme boosted confidence and self-esteem by giving the service users more responsibility and the feeling of knowing their work was valued and appreciated.
Those who participated in the programme commented on how it was helping to ease anxiety during the pandemic, giving them more information and insight into the measures being taken to keep everyone safe.
“Doing the audit everyday made me feel safer from the virus, knowing that staff are following rules to stop the virus spreading.”Service user at Cygnet Sedgley House
The initiative was shortlisted for the Outstanding Service User Involvement category which recognises an individual or team that has made outstanding achievements in service user involvement or leadership. The project didn’t win the category, but did go on to win the live service user vote.
They then went up against the vote winners from the previous categories which were; Francis Willis unit, Leeds OASIS, the Tamarind Centre and Cygnet Hospital Bury. They were all brilliant projects but Sedgley managed to secure over 35% of the overall vote to win. Well done also to Cygnet Hospital Bury, who won the service user vote in the Recovery and the Arts category for their project ‘Broadway Media Suite’.
Ian Callaghan, the head judge for the category was impressed with the co-production elements of the project…
“The things people have been able to do during this difficult time, using it as a catalyst for collaborating service users and staff on something so important – keeping each other, and everyone, safe. A brilliant example of people turning difficult times into something that brought people together.” Ian Callaghan, Recovery and Secure Care Manager, Rethink Mental Illness.
Congratulations to everyone at Cygnet Sedgley House and Lodge who supported and took part in the project.