Supporting our communities to live life well

Trust magazine Autumn/Winter 2018

Reflect

Age 3 age 12

age 20

This is me now age 28

age 14

In this issue:

Read Danni’s story on page 4…

age 18

Celebrating our success

Choose well this winter

Inside the mind of a stalker

Chairman’s welcome Welcome to our autumn/winter edition of Reflect. Inside, you will find key news from across the Trust, including, on page 3 opposite, a feature celebrating our recent awards and achievements. None of these would be possible without our dedicated and hardworking staff.

With winter fast approaching and the pressures NHS services are facing, it’s important now, more than ever, to make sure you keep well. Using ‘Choose Well’, you can go a long way to ensuring you and your family get the right treatment from the right place this winter. Read more on page 6, where we explore this in more detail and highlight some winter- ready top tips.

In this issue, we are delighted to introduce Danni, a member of staff in Warrington, and to share her transgender journey. Danni has shown great courage in overcoming her personal challenges and is incredibly candid in her interview, which she hopes will inspire others. Read more on page 4.

Our annual Ignite Your Life event celebrates the achievements and contributions of our volunteers; more than 70 were recognised for dedicating over 100 hours to the Trust in the past 12 months alone. Filled with music, arts and creativity at Walton Hall and Gardens, it was was a huge success this summer.

It was also wonderful to see so many of you attend our Annual Members’ Meeting in July, where we formally presented our Annual Report and Accounts for 2017/18. It provides an ideal opportunity for you to hear about the services we offer, the successes over the last year and our plans for the future.

Our Trust Board has seen some changes recently. Sam Proffitt, our Chief Finance Officer, has taken up a secondment opportunity at Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, so two of our senior colleagues have joined the Board for a year: John McLuckie as Chief Finance Officer, and John Heritage, Chief Operating Officer. John Heritage will work closely with Gail Briers, our Chief Nurse

and Executive Lead for Quality and Governance, to deliver the operational and quality agenda across the Trust. We also have two new non-executive directors, Stephen McAndrew and Michael Tate, replacing our long-serving colleagues Brian Marshall and Phil Tubb.

Tragically, in July we lost a much-loved and respected colleague Frank Hanily, Director of Operations and Integration, who died suddenly. He is sadly missed by all his colleagues. A fitting tribute has been made by naming one of the Our Stars staff awards in his memory: The Frank Hanily Quality Services Star.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Reflect and if you have any ideas for things you would like to read about in future editions, email our Communications Team at: communications@nwbh.nhs.uk

This magazine was produced by the Communications Team with support from the Trust’s Involvement Scheme, who give up their time to be a part of the editorial group. If you’re interested in joining the editorial group, contact Bernie Fitzpatrick on 01925 664 057 or email: bernadette.fitzpatrick@nwbh.nhs.uk

Helen Bellairs, Chairman

You have received this magazine as a member of North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. If you have moved house, changed your email address or want to be taken off our mailing list, please email: ftmembership@nwbh.nhs.uk

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Trust website

Following its launch in September 2017, our new website – www.nwbh.nhs.uk – was shortlisted for the Website of the Year category at The UK Public Sector Communications Awards in June.

Celebrating our successWe are committed to delivering quality, safe and efficient services, whilst always striving for innovation, so services can be delivered differently. The incredible work of our dedicated staff has led to significant awards and accolades, which is why we want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the recent achievements we are most proud of.

Kealy Wheatcroft won the Rising Star Award at the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champions Awards. Kealy works for the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service.

John Chiocchi won the Outstanding Carer Award at the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champions Awards. John has been a carer for his eldest son for many years which led him to volunteer for the Trust.

St Helens Cares has won the Care and Health Integration Award at this year’s MJ Awards, for the work they do in addressing the rising cost and demand in health and social care.

Our Occupational Health Department won the Healthcare People Management Association (HPMA), Vivup Award For Wellbeing.

The Trust, along with State of Mind Sport, Offload Rugby League and Warrington Wolves, joined forces to break a Guinness World Record, by hosting the world’s largest mental health awareness lesson!

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Danni’s story...In this issue, we have talked to Danni McSorley. Danni, one of the senior nurse practitioners employed by the Trust, is on an incredible journey; now eight months into hormone therapy transitioning from male to female.

Danni was questioning her gender from a very young age but, during her school days, largely tried to fit in. Danni describes it as a cycle, where she would think about it a lot at times and then at other times not at all.

Understandably, this was a confusing time for Danni. Then the singer of one of Danni’s favourite groups

came out as transgender. The lead singer of Against Me! transitioned from Thomas Gabel to Laura Jane Grace in 2012 when Danni was 22. This changed everything for Danni and she started to question more.

One of the first steps Danni took was to tell her girlfriend, Rachael. She couldn’t find the words to tell her so sent her a text instead; the response Danni got was totally supportive. Rachael has been a great support to Danni throughout and the couple are now engaged. With Rachael’s support and reassurance, Danni took the step to visit her GP and discuss how she was feeling.

I’m so much happier.

“ “

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After visiting the GP there was a bit of a waiting game. There are only three gender clinics in the north of England, each with up to a three-year wait. During this time, Danni started to dress more femininely and wear make-up. She felt much happier while waiting for her first appointment. After a lot of chasing up, Danni received her first appointment at a clinic in Sheffield after an 18-month wait.

Danni had two appointments, one with a consultant and one with a nurse, before a care plan was decided. Danni will be on this treatment plan for life. Danni started to formally transition in January 2018 using a hormone patch and taking testosterone blockers.

The treatment will lead to changes in appearance such as, less body hair, changes in fat distribution, changes in face shape and infertility.

After eight months of treatment, Danni says, “it is amazing to see the changes already; I’m so much happier and have a general feeling of my brain and body matching.”

Danni still has a long road ahead and is seeing a speech and language therapist about her voice and getting laser hair removal as the hormones don’t stop Danni’s facial hair from growing.

Danni has been working in the same team throughout her transition and admits that she had concerns at the very start of the process.

“I tend to catastrophise things and I had real concerns about being seen as strange, but my colleagues have been so supportive. As a nurse specialising with patients with dementia, I was worried about the views of some of the older people I treat, but it has been plain sailing so far.”

If you are facing similar questions about your gender, which are difficult to deal with, see your GP as soon as possible.

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Choose well this winter The NHS is facing the most intense strain on resources in decades, and these pressures can get worse during the winter period as a result of flu, bad weather and an increase in patients experiencing breathing problems.

If you are feeling unwell, it’s really important that you choose well to ensure you and your family get the most appropriate treatment. There are a range of local NHS services to choose from, and you don’t always need to go to A&E or a walk-in centre.

Below is our useful guide for choosing well this winter:

Self-care

This is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries. A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home or simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.

GPs

Can help if you have an illness or injury that won’t go away or a long standing condition. Other examples may include vomiting, ear pain, stomach ache and back ache.

NHS 111

This is the best service to call if you are unwell, unsure or confused. NHS 111 is for non-life threatening medical needs.

Pharmacists (chemists)

Are a great source of healthcare advice and information. They are experts in medicines and will help you decide if you need to see a doctor.

Walk-in centres

Provide consultations, advice and treatment for new minor injuries and illnesses.

999 and A&E

Are for serious and life- threatening problems such as loss of consciousness, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing and heavy blood loss.

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Banish winter tirednessMany people feel tired and sluggish during winter. This is due to the lack of sunlight, which disrupts our sleep and waking cycles. Top tips

• Get outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible• Get a good night’s sleep – go to bed and wake up at the same time every day• Destress with exercise or meditation – stress has been shown to make you feel tired

Five ways to stay healthy this winterEven if it’s cold outside, winter needn’t be the unhealthiest time of year for you and your family.Here are five ways to make sure that, even when your body is telling you to hibernate, you can keep healthy and fit, no matter what the weather is like.

Eat more fruit and vegWhen it’s cold and dark outside, it can be tempting to fill up on unhealthy comfort food. However, it’s important to ensure you still have a healthy diet and include five portions of fruit and veg a day. If you find yourself craving a sugary treat, try a juicy clementine or satsuma instead.

Drink more milkYou are more likely to get a cold in winter, so make sure your immune system is in tip-top condition. Low-fat milk and dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais are great sources of:

• Protein• Vitamins A and B12• Calcium, which helps keep our bones strong

Try new activities for the whole familyDon’t use the cold winter months as an excuse to stay in and lounge around. Instead, get out with the whole family to try out a new activity – maybe ice skating, or taking a bracing winter walk through the park.

Have a hearty breakfastWinter is the perfect season for porridge. Not only is it a delicious way to start your day, it also helps boost your intake of starchy foods and fibre. Add a sliced banana, berries or other fruit for extra flavour and to help you hit your five-a-day target.

For more information on choosing well and staying healthy this winter, visit: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/are-you-winter-ready

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Inside the mind of a stalker…

Forensic Psychologist Dan Price-Jones and Detective Constable Dave Thomason both work within the Integrated Anti-Stalking Unit at Warrington Police Station.

The new service, which covers Halton and Warrington, is a partnership between our Trust and Cheshire Police, and will see the police and NHS joining forces to manage stalking and keep victims of stalking safe.

“This isn’t about ‘curing’ stalkers,” Dan says.

“It’s about minimising risk to stalking victims by working with perpetrators to understand the reasons behind stalking, then ensuring a plan is in place to keep the victim safe.”

Stalking can have a devastating effect on the victim. Even if there is no actual physical harm, the fear of harm and the psychological burden of being stalked can have a huge impact on someone’s life.

So, why would someone put another human being through this psychological torment?

“There are a number of different reasons why people stalk and no two cases are the same,” says Dave, who has specialised in stalking at Cheshire Police for 11 years.

“Commonly, it’s an ex-partner who has taken the rejection badly or is seeking revenge, but it could be someone with an intellectual disability who develops an obsession and genuinely doesn’t understand the impact their behaviour is having on the victim. There are many different types of stalker and so far we’ve seen every type, including both male and female perpetrators.”

The anti-stalking service forms part of a national project through the Multi-Agency Stalking Intervention Programme (MASIP), which is coordinated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

It is the first service of its kind in the North West and will see police officers and mental health professionals, along with outreach workers and victim advocates, working together to provide practical support, safety planning and advice for stalking victims.

With Dan Price-Jones and Dave Thomason

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“Whatever the reason for the perpetrator’s behaviour, the victim’s needs are always at the centre of everything we do,” says Dan.

“One of the things we need to determine is whether the perpetrator actually wants to change – that will help us to decide the best course of action to keep their victim safe.”

“Often with stalking, it’s a number of isolated incidents that might not seem like a big deal on their own, but they all add up over time and can really wear someone down,” says Dan.

“After months or even years of psychological torment, people can end up changing their job, moving house and completely altering their whole lifestyle to ‘protect’ themselves from their stalker.

But, at the end of the day, that’s often what the stalker wants – it makes them feel in control.”

So, why is it important that the NHS and police work together to manage stalking?

“Traditionally, the responsibility for the management of stalking has sat with the police and the criminal justice system,” says Dave.

“There’s a psychological element to stalking that the police aren’t best-placed to deal with, that’s why we need to work together with mental health professionals to get inside the minds of stalkers and understand their motives.”

“Having this dedicated space within the police station for an anti-stalking service really demonstrates the commitment to this partnership from both sides,” Dan adds.

“I’m confident that by working together we can really make a difference to the lives of local people who fall victim to stalking.”

For more information about the national MASIP anti-stalking programme, visit:

www.suzylamplugh.org/multi-agency-stalking-intervention-programme-masip

If you are being stalked or are worried that someone may be stalking you, contact the police. Stalking is illegal and can include being followed or constantly harassed by another person, including online stalking. Call 101 to report a crime or 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

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Specialist Perinatal Service Leeanne’s story…

Leeanne is a mum from Warrington, who has used our Specialist Perinatal Service, which we deliver in partnership with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership and Mersey Care NHS foundation trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside.

The service, which launched in autumn last year, provides assessment and treatment for women experiencing mental health problems during pregnancy and in the first year after birth.

When the service was visited by Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s National Mental Health Director, on 29 June, Leeanne bravely shared her powerful account of how she came into contact with the service, and how it has helped her and her family.

“When I was 17 I had an ovarian tumour and had surgery to remove part of my ovary, which meant

I found it really difficult to get pregnant when I decided to try for a baby a few years later.

“After three years of trying to conceive naturally, I finally fell pregnant with my little boy. My pregnancy was amazing. I knew how lucky I was to have conceived naturally and I made sure I enjoyed every minute of it.

“After he was born, I had some anxiety around wanting to be the ‘perfect mum’, but nothing I couldn’t cope with.

“When I decided I wanted to have another baby, I really struggled again. After three failed IVF attempts and a number of miscarriages over a three-year period, I was left feeling devastated but I didn’t speak to anyone about how I was feeling. I just carried on like everything was okay.

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“At the age of 39, I had pretty much given up all hope of getting pregnant again. Then one day, I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t believe it − I was absolutely elated and on a total high.

“Suddenly, a couple of days after finding out I was pregnant, my feelings of elation were quickly replaced with an overwhelming, debilitating fear. It was terrifying. I was so scared of losing another baby, but I kept telling myself I just needed to get to the 12-week mark and everything would be okay after that.

“I got to 12 weeks, but I didn’t feel any better and my bump was starting to show. I knew I would have to tell people I was pregnant and if I lost it again, everyone would know.

“At 15 weeks, I had to see my GP for a routine blood test. She just asked me how I was getting on and it all came flooding out. She sat with me for 45 minutes and helped me through a panic attack. She then told me that help was available and made a referral for me straight away to the Specialist Perinatal Service.

“I was amazed by how quickly I was seen – my care plan kicked in immediately and within two weeks I was attending weekly appointments with my psychologist Ruth, who has been absolutely amazing.

“The perinatal team also linked in with my midwife and obstetrician to make sure they were fully updated on my situation and care plan. It felt like every aspect of my care was joined up and all the different healthcare professionals were talking to each other, which made a big difference.

“I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in August and, thanks to support from the service, I am doing really well and am about to be discharged.

“I feel so lucky that, while I’ve had a really difficult time with my anxiety, I’ve experienced it in an area where the support for pregnant women and new mums with mental health problems is second to none.

“The impact the service has had – not just on me but my whole family – is hard to put into words.”

To find out more about the Specialist Perinatal Service, visit: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/specialist-perinatal

I was amazed by how quickly I was seen.

Did you know…?

One in five women experiences perinatal mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after having a baby.

“

“

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Behind the scenes with... School Link Team, Wigan

In this issue, we go behind the scenes with the new School Link Team, which is working with school staff and offering support and early intervention to the Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Wigan.

The School Link Team is based across Wigan borough, working directly with schools to offer support, training and expertise to school staff and will be taking referrals directly from schools into the service. The team is one of the first in the country, following a successful pilot in Wigan last year.

Claire Wignal, Wigan CAMHS Educational Lead, said: “Young people say they don’t know where to go when they need support and some adults around them aren’t sure either. The School Link Team is there to make this clearer.

“We aim to ensure that young people can access the right service, at the right time and in the right place for them.”

The School Link Team works with other agencies,

including voluntary and third sector organisations. Often, the service works with families who have many needs, so the ability to work with other agencies means young people have better treatment and a more joined up approach that fits the child’s needs.

Claire explains: “An example of this is a child who has a good relationship with their rugby coach, but needs some early intervention support. With our service, the coach will be able to access support and advice through School Link and will then be equipped to support that child themselves, rather than the child having to wait and then access CAMHS later on.

“We are really excited to be rolling this service out across the whole borough because we think it will make a big difference to the mental health of our young people.”

If you would like more information about the School Link Team, email: nwbh.wigancamhsschoollink@nhs.net or ring Wigan CAMHS on 01942 775 400

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Elections for governors within the constituencies listed below will be taking place at the beginning of 2019.

Public governorsWarrington 2, Halton 2, St Helens 2, Knowlsey 3, Wigan 1, Sefton 2, Out of Area 1

Staff governorsAllied health professionals 1, nursing staff 1, support services staff 1

To find out more information about what it means to be a governor, we are holding a prospective governor event on Tuesday 4 December 2018, 2pm, Nightingale Meeting Room, Hollins Park Hospital.

To book your place, contact the Company Secretary Team on 01925 664 878 or email: company.secretary@nwbh.nhs.uk

Governors’ corner

Celebrating 70 years of the NHS Jim Sinnott, Trust Governor

“On 5 July 2018, I had the privilege of attending a celebration choral concert at York Minster, to mark the 70th anniversary of the birth of the NHS, along with two other governors Chris Whittle and Trevor Barton.

“The ceremony was attended by many local and national dignitaries, NHS staff, the voluntary sector and the general public. Sir Malcolm Grant, Chairman of NHS England, gave a really interesting talk, highlighting just how far the NHS has travelled since its inception in 1948.

“The evening was hosted by Linda Nolan, who mentioned that she was currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer at Blackpool Hospital. Linda commented: “The NHS has been there for me and my family at some of the most difficult times of my life, offering care and compassion. I’m therefore thrilled to be able to pay tribute to the NHS and its extraordinary staff”.

“We were also treated to the brilliant choral music of Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust Staff Choir, and The Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, admirably backed by the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. Throughout the concert, we heard some very moving testimonials, including that of Amen Dhesi; an inspirational young man who cares for his father with bipolar disorder, and now the founder of Imagine Bradford, which challenges society’s views and perceptions of mental health.

“And finally, there was 15-year-old Eve Senior, who gave a heartrending account of her personal journey following the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, when a bomb went off in the foyer of the Manchester Arena. Eve said: “Before the concert, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up, but staying in the hospital and seeing what the staff do and how good they are, I now want to become a nurse.”

“The whole evening was a fitting and poignant tribute to the achievements of the NHS and the

dedication of its wonderful staff.”

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How to cope with… caring for someone with a mental health problemMental health problems are very common, but if someone has more severe problems, they may need extra support from their family and friends to help them to cope with day-to-day life. This often includes both emotional and practical support, and caring for a loved-one can be a big responsibility.

If you care for someone who has a mental health problem, you will play an important role in their recovery. There’s a lot of things you can do to help, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming and when they are feeling very distressed it can be difficult to know what to do for the best.

John Chiocchi works for our Trust as a Highly

Specialist Peer Support Worker. His involvement with our Trust began in 2008 as one of the first members of our Service User and Carer Involvement Scheme. He was then offered a permanent, paid role with our Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team in 2012, where he has worked ever since.

In his role, John delivers a training programme for family carers of people with mental health problems, drawing on his personal experiences of caring for his son to educate others and help them face the challenges their caring role can bring.

Here, John shares his tips and advice for anyone who is caring for a loved-one with mental health problems.

We talk to John Chiocchi, a carer himself and the Trust’s Highly Specialist Peer Support Worker

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Learn about their condition – Learning about the different

symptoms that may be affecting your loved-one can be really helpful. It can help you to understand how these symptoms may

be affecting their behaviour and how they might impact on

their day-to-day life.

Offer non-judgmental, emotional support – When someone is openly experiencing distress it can be difficult not to react yourself, but the best thing to do is to stay calm and try to accept that it’s just how they are feeling in that moment. Say things like ‘I can see this is really upsetting you – what can I do to help?’ They may not be in the right frame of mind to talk in that moment, so just let them know you’ll be there to chat when they are ready.

Help them build their independence – Overreliance on a carer can reduce independence. Help them to build resilience by supporting them to make their own decisions and start doing more things for themselves when they

are ready. Let them know you’ll be there to help if needed, but encourage them to try doing things on their own first.

Cope with challenging behaviour – People with severe mental health problems can display challenging behaviour sometimes, which can be difficult for family members. When they are in a more positive frame of mind, have a chat with them and calmly explain how their behaviour has made you feel. It may also be helpful to ask how your behaviour may have affected them too, to help avoid getting to that point again. Remember though – no one is to blame if things do get difficult.

Plan for a crisis – When someone has a serious mental health problem, there

can be times when they feel very overwhelmed and unable to cope, so it’s important to plan ahead. Crisis planning needs to be done when someone is in a calm frame

of mind and should include crisis contact numbers, things that are and aren’t helpful to them in a crisis, and any advance decisions they want to make about their care and treatment, should they ever find themselves in a mental health crisis.

Make time to care for yourself – It can be easy to forget about your own wellbeing when you’re so busy caring for someone close to you. Some people can even feel guilty about making time for themselves, but it’s really important not to neglect your own health and wellbeing. Carers’ services are here to help if you need it – visit: www.carers.org to find your local carers’ centre.

What is a carer?A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

If you care for someone, let your GP know so it can be registered on your medical record.

You can also access advice from Carers Direct by calling 0300 123 1053.

To find out more about our carers’ training programme, email John at: john.chiocchi@nwbh.nhs.uk

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Career profile Julie Roberts, Acting Ward Manager, Bridge Ward, Halton

In this issue, we speak to Julie Roberts, who is currently acting manager of Bridge Ward, our male inpatient mental health ward at the Brooker Centre in Halton.

Hi Julie. How did you get into working in the NHS?

After completing a medical administration qualification, I applied for a job as a part-time receptionist with an NHS community mental health team in April 2000. That was my first role in the NHS and the job that made me want to get into nursing.

So how did you go from being a receptionist to a mental health nurse?

In my role as a receptionist, I always felt a bit frustrated that I wasn’t able to influence patient care. The more I learned about mental health, the more I wanted to do a job where I could make a real difference forour service users.

I had four young children so it would have been very difficult for me to go to university to do a nursing degree. In 2004, I began volunteering on the wards to make sure it was something I definitely wanted to do, andto gain practical experience so I could apply for the Trust’s nursing training programme.

A year later, I applied for the programme and was successful!

After completing the programme in 2008, I qualified as a mental health nurse and got my first job on Austin Ward at Hollins Park Hospital, where I worked until January 2017. I then accepted a position as deputy ward manager on Bridge Ward in Halton and have been covering my manager’s maternity leave, as acting ward manager for the last six months.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I really enjoy meeting different people – staff, service users and carers. No two days are the same in my job. I thrive on the challenges and the uncertainly it brings. It’s an incredibly rewarding job and I love being able to help people and make a difference.

What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about going into mental health nursing?

I would say ‘go for it’! I’d encourage anyone to do it, even if they are a bit older and considering a change in career like I was. You’re never too old to learn a new skill.

With the national nurse shortages, recruiting to nursing roles is a lot more difficult than it was when I first got into nursing, but it’s such a rewarding job and there are lots of opportunities to develop and progress. I’d recommend it to anyone.

Join our nursing team!

To find out more about a career in nursing with our Trust, visit: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/nurse-recruitment

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Highway to Health with FACE Forward The FACE Forward Recovery Partnership (Knowsley Recovery College), is a joint project facilitated by Knowsley Council’s Family And Community Education Service (FACE) and our Trust.

FACE Forward began in 2015 as a Community Learning Mental Health Pilot research project, funded by the Department for Education. The purpose of this pilot was to discover how educational interventions impact on participants’ mental health and wellbeing. Alex Horrocks from the Trust and Angie Kitching from Knowsley Council have been instrumental in establishing and continuing this partnership and ensuring that individuals benefit from participating in the activities.

FACE Forward Recovery Partnership Knowsley have also designed and developed an educational health and wellbeing board game called Highway to Health. Highway to Health is a family game that can be played by both adults and children and covers a number of subjects such as emotional health, diet and nutrition, interactive exercise and the dangers of unhealthy choices.

Highway to Health aims to improve the mental and physical health of families in Knowsley through being educational and interactive. Research has shown that enjoying your learning activity helps people retain information more easily. The board game concept will also improve communication in families and encourage discussion, rather than adults and children sitting at home on their iPhones or iPads.

Also incorporated into the Highway to Health board game are the Five Ways to Wellbeing and a healthy step chart, where people can log and keep track of any progress they have made.

The mental health research project has been extremely successful, with high demand for the courses

on offer, such as The Art and Wellbeing Project, Reduce Your Stress, Improving Confidence and Communication, Believe and Achieve, Mindful Yoga and so much more. Feedback since January shows that 100 per cent of participants are now able to self-manage their health symptoms better. National lottery funding has also been successfully secured, enabling the project to be sustained until December 2020.

For further information on the courses available and to find out more about the Highway to Health board game, call 0151 443 2026 or email: facegeneric@knowsley.gov.uk

Any proceeds received from this product are donated towards supporting people with mental health problems in Knowsley.

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Being an apprentice Hi, I’m Mike, and I’m completing an apprenticeship within the Trust’s Communications and Marketing Team, as part of the Trust-wide apprenticeship scheme.

I took this route as I was looking to earn a salary whilst also being able to learn new skills and achieve a nationally recognised qualification. This has really helped my career prospects within one of the UK’s most valued institutions.

The apprenticeship scheme is open to all ages and combines practical, on-the-job training with academic study, so you can complete your apprenticeship during allocated work hours.

For young people in particular, apprenticeships will help you understand roles and industries in a less pressured situation. The Trust acknowledges apprentices need more time to settle in, so provide ongoing support from a dedicated mentor.

Key benefits include:

• Earn a salary while you learn and gain new skills• Get valuable and practical work experience• Gain new skills• Achieve nationally recognised qualifications• Work alongside and learn from highly skilled staff• Get ongoing help and support from colleagues as well as a dedicated mentor• Enjoy our fantastic employee benefits

Interview tips

Before:

• Read the person specification beforehand.

• Improve your knowledge on what the team/

department does.

• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. For

example, what would a working day look like in this

role?

• Never arrive late to an interview, and always dress

appropriately.

• Familiarise yourself with the Trust’s strategy and

values: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/purpose-strategy-values

During:

• Talk about positive achievements and show evidence.

• Show strong eye contact; look at the whole panel.

• Do not be afraid to ask for questions to be repeated.

After:

• Think about what you will say if you are offered the

job. Ask any questions you might have.

• If unsuccessful, ask for feedback so you can

understand where improvements could be made for

future job interviews.

• Do not rely on one job - keep your ears and eyes

open for other roles.

For more information about our apprenticeship scheme, visit: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/apprenticeships

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Poetry CornerPoetry can be very therapeutic. It can act as an outlet for expressing thoughts, feelings and ideas and, along with other creative arts, it can play an important role for many people in their recovery journeys.

If you would like to send a poem for Reflect, email our poetry editor Colin Pearson at communications@nwbh.nhs.uk or post it to Communications, Hollins Park, Winwick, WA2 8WA. Doing so means you are happy for us to print your poem in a future edition of Reflect.

And Now My Journey’s At Its End

And now my journey’s at its end

Or so it seems to be

I’d rather like to think of it

As a new beginning for me.

But I couldn’t get here on my own

I’ve needed help along the way

And that is what I received

From those people surrounding me.

If you were here a year or so ago,

You would not recognise this person in front of you

I’ve had my rough times

I’ve had my tough times

But I’ve always had a helping hand

To help clear my mind.

And being presented with this opportunity

I now have the perfect chance

To thank every single one

I will even throw in an apology or two

Now that I can see from a different view.

It won’t be easy for me to part

There are people that I’ll miss

They haven’t just left imprints on my mind

But handprints on my heart.

19

Join our nursing team today!We have opportunities for nurses across a wide range of mental health, learning disability and community health services, with vacancies in Halton, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, Warrington and Wigan.

To view our current nursing vacancies, visit: jobs.nwbh.nhs.uk

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