Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

It was great to receive this recognition from Oldham College, as thanks for employing two of their T level students. Jack and Kieran work in our compliance and estates teams respectively, bringing fresh skills and expertise. Follow our jobs social media pages and check our apprenticeship page for the latest opportunities. #JoinUsBeYou #PennineCarePeople

These new iPads are helping colleagues on our wards to spend more time with patients and less time tied to desks. Hurst Place is the first ward to pilot patient iPads - and ward managers and quality matrons will also have corporate iPads to help with completing quality audits and much more. Richard Vasey, digital programme director said: "It’s all about making things easier and more efficient and is part of a wider effort to modernise how we work". Jemma France, quality matron added: "We're really happy to have the iPads. With the enhanced security and apps, our patients will be able to access websites to help with organising life outside of hospital and build their IT skills."

Great to see all the support for Pennine Care Charity at events over the summer and autumn. There are lots still to sign up for on our website. Harriet Brotherton, trainee forensic psychologist with our rehabilitation and high support services in Stockport, is taking on Manchester half marathon in October. Harriet said: “I am incredibly proud to be part of this team, where I've witnessed the dedication and compassion every day in helping people experiencing mental health difficulties on their journey to recovery. “The work we do is vital, not only in providing a safe and supportive environment, but also in empowering people to regain their independence and improve their mental health and wellbeing. “I will be raising money to give back and ensure we can continue providing the best possible care to service users, offering new opportunities and investing in resources that directly impact their lives. “People who know me will know that running has never been a strength of mine. For somebody who has never ran more than 5 Km, running 21 Km is going to be one of my biggest challenges yet. "I am determined to push myself for such an important cause - as somebody who has experienced difficulties with my mental health, and witnessed the impacts mental health has had on others around me, every step I take will demonstrate that every challenge can be overcome, one step at a time.” #PennineCarePeople #PennineCareCharity

Our child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) colleagues have been on Oldham Community Radio to talk all things mental health and early help. Lauren Wilson, operational manager for Oldham mental health support team, spoke about the role their team plays in local schools. And Lisa Slater, service lead for early years, talked about reaching out for support early and the role we can all play in supporting children. They also spoke about the Oldham CAMHS marketplace event, at Mahdlo on Wednesday 20 August, which provides professionals, parents, and carers with information and resources. Listen back (from 1h13) at: https://lnkd.in/e4xF776p

Our Oldham child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) have been busy creating this new interactive mindfulness board to support young people. The board in the waiting area has a variety of mindfulness ideas and includes QR codes linking directly to CAMHS videos on mindfulness. Gail Ashton, youth support worker said, "All of these resources are designed to help young people build emotional resilience and develop healthy coping strategies. "Mindfulness helps them manage stress and anxiety, understand their emotions, and stay focused - skills that are vital both in and out of school.”

Joanne Ellis, our clinical lead for early intervention in psychosis, has been awarded a highly competitive NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF). Joanne will use the fellowship to develop the UK’s first tailored suicide prevention intervention for people at risk of psychosis - who are up to 12 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Despite this high risk, there are currently no bespoke interventions for this group. Joanne’s research will be co-designed with patients, carers, NHS staff, and underserved communities, to better understand the development of suicidal thoughts and create an intervention that can be rolled out across the NHS. Joanne, who has been with Pennine Care for 21 years, brings significant experience to this project. She has served as principal investigator and therapist on major trials such as CARMS, a therapy targeting suicidality in psychosis, and Avatar, a digital intervention to reduce distress from auditory hallucinations. She is currently principle investigator on the Mind-P trial investigating mindfulness for paranoia. Joanne said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this fellowship. Suicide prevention is a personal and professional passion, and this is a unique opportunity to create something that could genuinely save lives. "By working in partnership with people who have lived experience, I hope to develop an intervention that’s not only effective, but truly meaningful to those who need it most.” #PennineCarePeople #PennineCareResearch

In the middle of a very busy few weeks, it was good to make time to meet another of our MPs who serve the areas where Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust delivers care. James Frith MP represents Bury North & I met James and his team today to talk about the challenges & opportunities in mental health & learning disability for adults & young people. It was an open, candid & supportive conversation. I look forward to welcoming James to our Pennine services later in the year

Café Connect is the new cafe at Birch Hill Hospital, which raises money to help people’s mental health. Our chair Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE was joined by Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, at the official launch on Friday. Profits go towards Pennine Care Charity, to fund things like community-based groups, staff development projects, or enhancements to therapeutic environments used by patients. It serves Starbucks drinks, plus a variety of hot and cold food, with space to relax and recharge. It will also offer volunteer opportunities for current and former patients, as well as members of the local community to gain valuable experience, build confidence, and develop key skills. Wes Partington, director of Pennine Care Charity said: “We’re incredibly proud of Café Connect. It’s more than just a café – it’s a space where people can take a moment for themselves or enjoy a chat with others. We hope it becomes a much-loved part of the Birch Hill community and a great success for years to come.” “This is just one part of our charity’s ongoing commitment to enhance the experience of everyone who is under, visits or works in Pennine Care services.”

Congratulations to Saira Tareen, consultant psychiatrist at Stockport CAMHS, on being named our latest research star of the month. Saira won the award for her contribution to the Arts4Us study, which explores how creative activities can support the mental health of children and young people. Thanks to Saira's dedication, Stockport CAMHS achieved the highest recruitment numbers of any NHS Trust involved in the study. She helped six young people join a creative workshop and share what they liked, which will directly shape a new website for local arts activities.

We’re proud to be a foster friendly employer, with flexible working and paid leave to support colleagues who are foster carers. Stephen Jameson, our director of capital, estates and facilities, has been a foster carer with his wife Donna for 13 years. They've shared their story publicly to encourage others to consider fostering. Steve said: “Our three daughters had all grown up and we really missed having a full house with the girls around. We wanted to give something back and help children and young people in our local community who needed support. “As a fostering friendly employer, Pennine Care NHS has provided invaluable support for us in our role as foster carers. Their flexible working policy means I can attend meetings with teachers and social workers, along with all the other appointments needed to help provide that loving environment for the children and young people we’re caring for. “Everyone who comes to live with us becomes part of the family and it’s been a hugely rewarding experience.” Steve and Donna currently care for an autistic young man as part of the shared lives scheme, a care and support service for people aged 18 years and over. They support him so he can live independently and teach him life skills such as cooking. Steve said: “It’s been wonderful to see him develop - he now volunteers at the local council offices, sings in a choir and plays the guitar. We really enjoy having him living with us and he is part of our family.”