The winners and Trust leaders got together for a small ceremony at the Trust HQ at the Littlemore Mental Health Centre on Monday.

CEO Dr Nick Broughton opened the event with a warm welcome and emphasised the importance of recognising the Trust staff. He added:

“This is one of the aspects of my job I enjoy most!”

Echoing Nick, present were also Director of Finance Mike McEnaney, Head of Quality Governance Jane Kershaw, Chief Nurse Marie Crofts and Trust governor Nyarai Humba. Shelley Monaghan ‘broadcast’ the event to all her team via Teams.

In the photo above, from left: Marie Crofts, Jane Kershaw, Mike McEnaney, Shelley Monaghan, Donna Buckingham, Beth Morphy, Nyarai Humba and Nick Broughton.

Beth’s listening skills praised

Beth Morphy and governor Nyarai Humba

Beth Morphy had been nominated by a patient who described in detail how Beth had made her feel listened and valued and eventually empowered her to make a difference to others through telling her story. She wrote:

“I felt Beth took me seriously, and now I had a chance to make a difference and prevent others from suffering.”

Jane Kershaw, who read out the nomination, said:

“This nomination really rings true to me. It represents who you are and the impact you have.”

Governor Nyarai Humba, who is in the selection panel for the individual Exceptional People Award, agreed.

“Our choice of the winner was a difficult one, but Beth’s nomination highlighted all the important things,” Nyarai said.

She recalled how Beth had listened to her when she had first spoken about her experience as a carer – outside in the freezing cold during the first lockdown.

“Beth had tears running down her face, but she listened and then checked she had got it right. That’s when I knew she is good at listening. And she has the skill to transform what we say into something positive, like in this patient’s story: to help others. For us service users and carers it makes it so worthwhile.”

IPS Team transforming lives

Team leader Shelley Monaghan (left) and peer support worker Donna Buckingham

The IPS team had received two nominations which praised the team’s tireless and innovative work to help people with mental health difficulties to return to paid employment. Community lead Steve Bell wrote:

“They have been flexible throughout COVID and continued to provide a service, and have employed peer support workers to assist in breaking down the barriers that people with mental health concerns can have.”

Dr Bill Tiplady, Associate Director of Psychological Services, was unable to attend the ceremony, but sent his regards:

“Fantastic news for the IPS team – Shelley and colleagues have worked so hard to keep on delivering this important and innovative service through the pandemic. With the planned creation of new specialist posts to support retention (keeping people in work) and a service accreditation this year, we are continuing to build and develop the service and maintain the excellent standards Shelley and colleagues have set. And Beth is a worthy winner too!”

Nyarai Humba said:

“This award is very well deserved. For us service users and carers to feel as normal as possible is so essential for recovery. This is a type of service that transforms lives.”

Mike McEnaney agreed:

“Feeling valued at the workplace – this is what we preach in this event, too.”

And Shelly Monaghan confirmed:

“To us, employment is a health outcome.”

Once trophies, certificates and prized were given, there was a little bit of time to chat until all were ushered outside for photo call. Even the tail end of the chilly winter storm couldn’t wipe the smiles from our winners and leaders’ faces.

Nominate now for February!

Love is in the air in February so make someone special or a top team feel even more appreciated: nominate them for Exceptional People Awards! Closing date for February submissions is February 16.

However, nominations are accepted at any time, so if you miss a certain month’s deadline, your nomination will simply roll into the following month.  Find the nomination forms and rules here.