A big THANK YOU to our trust governors! They have been getting involved in supporting our staff, patients and Oxford Health Charity in many different ways as the pandemic has evolved. Here’s more about what some of them have been up to.
Maddy Radburn, public governor for Oxfordshire, has been promoting the Oxford Health Charity appeal Oxford Health Cares, which is putting together care packs for the trust staff. The packs include non-perishable items that provide an extra boost to help our staff get through the shift, day and night.
Maddy Radburn
Maddy has also been putting Oxfordshire Crafters in touch with the trust to help co-ordinate the distribution of laundry bags which are a huge help for staff to transport and wash their work clothes safely.
“Otherwise, I am volunteering as a call taker for the West Oxfordshire Scouts prescription delivery service,” Maddy told us.
“This is great as I chat to around 40 patients each day, arranging the delivery of their prescriptions and generally hearing how they are doing, what ideas we can all share to keep going, etc. It keeps me out of mischief! The Scouts here have delivered over 2,450 prescriptions in less than four weeks.”
Something to look forward to…
Staff governor Vicky Drew has been successful in securing some amazing treats from hotels around the region. These will be put in a free prize draw later in the spring – or indeed when it is appropriate! – for all staff to enter in.
Vicky Drew
“I’ve contacted over 50 venues and now have some lovely offers of dinner + bed & breakfast in local hotels,” Vicky tells us.
“It is something that is open to every single member of staff, from porters to nurses and doctors, and something you can look forward to. The prize will be valid for 12 months from the draw date.”
As a staff governor, along with her co-governors, she wanted to find ways to support staff.
“This is staff supporting staff. I am so grateful for people and businesses who have donated. They have been very generous,” Vicky said.
Care packs and art packs
Angela Conlan, staff governor for Community Services and arts co-ordinator at the trust, has been busy on several fronts ever since the lockdown started. In her day job at Oxford Health she runs the Creating with Care sessions that bring art, music, dance and other activities to our community hospitals across the county.
Angela Conlan
With the lockdown and instruction for physical distancing, the sessions came to a halt. But not to worry: Angela started making individual arts packs that keep patients stimulated and entertained even in the lockdown. Read more here
Angela has also been co-ordinating the distribution of laundry bags to staff and involved in the Charity appeal Oxford Health Cares,
Children and young people
Staff governor Louis Headley has been supporting children and young people in his day job as a participation lead for Child and Young People Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and going the extra mile to bring smiles to faces. In Easter he picked up a donation of Easter eggs that were distributed to the Highfield Unit at Warneford Hospital in Oxford and Marlborough House in Swindon. Read the full story here
Louis Headley
Louis said: “We in Oxfordshire CAMHS want to reassure all that we’re minimising disruption concerning service delivery and our priority is the same as it’s always been; to deliver a quality service to support our children and young people with their mental health needs.
“Teams are working exceptionally hard to make this happen and are truly dedicated, doing their utmost for the kids, day and night. Despite COVID19 we are adapting to changing circumstances and would like thank everyone for their support.”
Recognition from Shadow Chancellor
Tom Hayes, trust governor for service users in Oxfordshire and chief executive of Elmore Community Services, received a letter from the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds.
Tom Hayes
She praised Oxfordshire’s mental health workers for the way they are supporting people in our communities during the coronavirus outbreak. She wrote:
“As our city faces an unprecedented time of disruption and anxiety caused by the coronavirus crisis, I wanted to write and say how much I am thinking of everyone in the Elmore team and the five other teams which make up the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership (OMHP). At this time in particular, we need to be making mental health a real priority in our country.” See the full story here
A MILLION THANKS to our inspiring and committed governors from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Health Charity!
Join our trust
Throughout the pandemic, Oxford Health has received tremendous support from local people and communities. Show your support by becoming a member! It is free and you can do so at a safe distance online.
Published: 29 April 2020