Seven service user led projects shortlisted as finalists for the National Service User Awards 2020

National Service User Awards Logo

We are delighted to announce that seven service user led projects from or in conjunction with Cygnet Health Care services have been shortlisted as finalists for the National Service User Awards 2020!

The National Service User Awards are designed to celebrate service user led initiatives in inpatient mental health services across the country and service users involved in the shortlisted projects are invited to a black tie gala awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced.

The following projects are finalists:

The Wonders of our Colours helps us through our day, Cygnet Hospital Bury – Finalist in the ‘Recovery and the Arts’ category.

A service user led art project on Cygnet Hospital Bury’s Madison Ward has helped transform the ward environment. One service user used his leave to go out and get materials for the project. His work was of such a high standard he was asked to help improve the hospital’s Recovery College.

Mental Health Survival Kits, Cygnet Acer Clinic – Finalist in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ category.

A service user at Cygnet Acer Clinic came up with the idea of her own survival kits, packed with soothing and sensory items for people struggling with their mental health, while lying in a hospital bed.

Pride of Cygnet Derby Awards, Cygnet Hospital Derby – Finalist in the ‘Health and Wellbeing’ category.

The Pride of Cygnet Hospital Derby awards were the idea of a group of service users planning their annual PRIDE day. The awards recognised people who had challenged stigma and discrimination in two categories, Challenger and Supporter Awards. A third category, Proud of Me, allowed people to recognise their own positive achievements

Co-Production in Research and Evaluation Group, Joint project between Cygnet Hospital Derby, Alfred Minto House & IMROC – Finalist in the ‘Excellence in Co-Production’ category.

The Co-Production in Research and Evaluation (CORE) Group has been tasked by NHS England to complete a qualitative research and evaluation of the Single Point of Access section of the Provider Collaboratives Work. The membership is made up of experts by experience, peer workers, nursing staff and commissioners from NHS England.

Impact Framework Working Group, Joint project between NHS England & Cygnet Hospital Derby – Finalist in the ‘Excellence in Co-Production’ category.

The Impact Framework Working Group is a group of people with different experiences working together to create a new national framework to measure the impact of Provider Collaboratives. The group was given a blank canvas by NHS England and Improvement to co-produce a national framework to measure the impact of Provider Collaboratives which go live from April 2020. A mixture of people are part of the group; people who currently or have used specialised services, parents, carers and professionals from different backgrounds including mental health, learning disability, autism and eating disorders.

Cygnet Beckton Music Festival, Cygnet Hospital Beckton – Finalist in the ‘Outstanding Service User Involvement’ category.

The Music Festival has been a success for the past two years at Cygnet Hospital Beckton. One of the main aims was to give the experience of a summer music festival to service users who may not have ever had that opportunity or had always struggled with this concept. The Music Festival Commitee was organised where service users could sign up to join the weekly meetings to support the organisation of this event.

Sylvia, Expert by Experience, Cygnet Hospital Derby – Finalist in the ‘Outstanding Service User Involvement’ category.

Since starting work in Cygnet Hospital Derby’s Recovery College as a Ward Lead, Sylvia has progressed to Community Partnership Development Manager and then on to work as an Expert by Experience on various NHS England Projects. Sylvia has completed her Peer Trainer course and has delivered and co-produced with others a large number of courses for the Recovery College. She takes the lead on many events and activities within the college keeping everyone working to her high standards.

We would like to congratulate all the service users nominated for the above projects and wish them every success for the final! The awards ceremony is to be held at Colwick Hall, Nottingham on 10th November 2020.

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