Recognising Outstanding Service and Contribution Awards (ROSCAs)

The Winners!

John Messenger The Unsung Hero Award went to:

John Messenger for his volunteer work with Holly House since 1994. John initially worked three days per week and he now works Wednesdays and Fridays. He is a man of hugely varied talents working closely with the Estates Department for building maintenance projects and supporting social activities including having been ‘Father Christmas’. During the recent water shortage he turned his attention to ensuring that there was sufficient water for the residents.

Mathew Page The Chief Executive Award for Innovation went to:

Mathew Page for the Montpellier Allotment and Co-operative project. This gardening allotment has increased the independence, autonomy, activity, self-esteem and employment prospects of Montpellier patients. The abandoned Severn Enterprise site has been utilised to produce fruit and vegetables for eating with plants and flowers for selling. This innovation has broken down many barriers and pre-conceptions and required huge energy, drive and personal commitment from Mathew. Only this month it was publicised in Amateur Gardening magazine. .

Kingholm Ward for Cafe Kingsholm The Carer and Service User involvement Award went to:

Kingsholm Ward for Café Kingsholm. This was a collaborative effort between staff and patients during the summer months to run a café each Tuesday at Wotton Lawn Hospital . Staff and patients were interacting as equals as both customers and workers in the café. The venture broke down the perceived power barriers between staff and patients. One patient described it as being a normal type of environment where he could sit with his wife when she visited.

Peter Haile The Service Users and Carers Choice was:

Peter Haile. Support Worker at Denmark Road for his inspiration to mental health services and users. The nomination form says ‘Peter has a knack of explaining things to you, he has given me confidence to be more positive and to look forward not back. I have now become a volunteer so you can see that Peter has got me round to helping others. Oh and by the way he has helped my wife learn how to cope with me. He has helped me tremendously.’

The Clinical Team at Wotton Lawn The Clinical Team of the Year award went to:

The Clinical Team at Wotton Lawn for their seven day a week therapy programme. The team have been instrumental in promoting positive images of mental health, increasing engagement of patients and a ‘feel good factor’ for staff. The therapy programme includes trampolining, line dancing, music, kite making, flower arranging and all staff are encouraged to participate so that the skills of the multidisciplinary team are utilised.

The Hotel Services Team at Wotton Lawn The Non-Clinical Team of the Year award went to:

The Hotel Services at Wotton Lawn for the wide range of services they provide across the Trust and particularly at Wotton Lawn. The team has always scored highly in PEAT inspections. Patients are provided with a reliable food service, clean living areas and bedrooms and the team maintain homely furnishings and fittings. Without the commitment and effort of this team, staff and service users time in hospital would be significantly worse.

Mathew Page The Innovative Contribution to Work-life Balance award went to:

Helen Elliott, Unit Manager at Laurel House, Gloucester for her support and understanding of work related or personal problems for her team. The nomination forms say –
"She has been a tower of strength"
"She has enabled me to change shifts so that I did not overtax myself and I was able to recover faster"
"She id very supportive and respectful of my spiritual and cultural needs"
"Helen has enabled me to develop into a senior member of the team utilising my strengths and recognising my limitations"

Ron Barker The Best Supporting Colleague Award went to:

Ron Barker, from the Recovery Team at Park House, Stroud for his ‘can do’ approach. Ron is due to retire on 14 December and he will be greatly missed. He helps the wheels turn smoothly and safely. Problems are his ‘bag’. He gives endless hugs and support and he is very approachable. He knows where to find the dip stick on the pool car, how to put curtains up and how to help new staff settle in.

Alison Curson The Best Supporting Manager Award went to:

Alison Curson, Team Leader for the Assertive Community Treatment Team based in Cheltenham for being very ‘hands on’ with endless commitment, professionalism, energy and sheer good humour. She is unassuming, rock-solid and reliable. Alison inspires others to be confident. She helps team members gain respect for themselves. Alison is dedicated and enthusiastic, she motivates, enables and develops staff continuously and is a superb ambassador for the NHS. Alison has made a real change to service users’ lives by motivating staff.

The full shortlist was:

The Unsung Hero Award	Karen Luckett John Messenger Joyce Smurthwaite
Chief Executive Award for Innovation	The Vron team The Montpellier Unit gardening project Alison Sedgwick-Taylor for improving access to psychological therapies
The carer and service user involvement award	Caroline Driscoll for Café Kingsholm at Wotton Lawn Kathy Holmes Debbie Moore
The service users and carers choice	Peter Haile Kathy Holmes Theresa Farragher
Clinical Team of the Year	Wotton Lawn The Vron Laurel House
Non-Clinical team of the year	Hotel services, Wotton Lawn Staff Bank, Wotton Lawn
Innovative contribution to work life balance	Helen Elliott Mathew Page and Alan Metherall for the Bike to Work scheme Helen Maplestone
Best supporting colleague	Ron Barker Steve Keech Wendy Gerard
Best supporting manager	Helen Elliott Alison Curson Tina Kukstas