Nearing the end of 2020, Heads On were successful in securing funding from NHS Charities Together as part of their second wave of funding. We decided to allocate this money amongst both community teams and the inpatient units within the Trust to support with Covid-19 Resilience.
The purpose of the fund was to support service users and patients during the challenging winter months of lockdown with a significant lack of external social interaction and limited opportunities. The money was spent on items that help to reduce feelings of social isolation and boredom, such as gardening equipment, books, jigsaws, subscriptions, puzzle books, and arts and crafts items.
Some of the examples of the funding are as follows:
CAMHS coping kits:
Accessibility to mental health services such as Children and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) were reduced in the Covid-19 pandemic, making life really difficult for young people and adolescents seeking support with their mental health. Using the generous grant from NHS Charities together, Sussex CAMHS services successfully delivered 1097 CAMHS ‘Coping Kits’ across the county to support those young people waiting for treatment, following assessment and in need of resources to support their mental health. They were also accessible in clinical settings, such as for young people in A&E when receiving treatment or waiting to be seen.
A young patients parent commented: “Her Mum told me that she takes some of the things with her out and about – recently on a school trip that she was anxious about so she took something from the package with her to help her cope”.
Another said: “Thank you. This is so lovely and feels special”
A member of SPFT expressed: “Can I just say that I have been giving these out to my patients and they have been really well received and hugely appreciated”
Amberley Ward, Department of Psychiatry, Eastbourne:
The Department of Psychiatry, located at Eastbourne's District General Hospital, contains three inpatient wards for adults with mental health problems. The team at Amberley Ward decided to use the funds to transform one of the rooms into a quiet room, where staff and patients can do yoga, sensory time, aromatherapy and relax in a quiet space.
