The ceremonies took place on secure wards Peplau, Saunders and Tiffany. Suzie Adam, Hospital Manager, Joy Wilson, Practice Development Nurse, and service user course facilitators presented over 40 awards to service users who have successfully completed their vocational skills courses.
Students on the popular dressmaking course on Tiffany Ward hosted a fashion show for everyone to display their year-long, hard work. The students showcased three dresses complete with accessories for the different seasons.
The service user course facilitator, said: “Working towards the fashion show gave me focus and unleashed my creativity.”
Recovery Colleges offer educational courses designed to increase understanding of mental health and support people through their recovery, promoting hope, opportunity and aspirations for the future. Service users are empowered to become experts in their own wellbeing and recovery.
Service users who have been co-facilitating Recovery College courses at Stevenage also had their hard work recognised by successfully passing their ‘Expert by Experience’ course, each receiving AQA awards.
The Healthy Food course leader said: “AQA gives us a chance to progress on to either future education or work, and can support us in our volunteer roles.”
Our service user Expert by Experience for the long standing Tai Chi course, added: “I like giving people achievement certificates to help motivate them to keep healthy.”
Awards for other courses were given for creative writing, sentence writing, religious education and employability English. Service users also received Cygnet certificates for personal progression, facilitation and achievement.
Well done to all the service users for receiving their certificates and a big thank you to staff members Laura Baker, Kathleen Jarvis and Max Harding who were instrumental in organising the awards and fashion show.