Page 2 - Calderstones Connect Newsletter Winter 14/15

02 : CONNECT - WINTER 2014/15
WELCOME
Message from the Chairman
A very warm welcome to you. This magazine gives us the chance to look back over a very busy, challenging and important period for Calderstones, as well as letting you know about things which are coming up in the months ahead.
Calderstones has been on a major developmental journey recently, so there’s a lot to share.
As a Foundation Trust, members are a crucial part of what we do and they have an important voice in the organisation. It’s vital you are involved and so I’d be delighted to hear from you about this magazine and how it can best serve you in keeping you informed about Calderstones.
We have several channels for communications – on paper, online and at events such as the Carers’ Group, Annual Members Meeting and Council of Governors. I know that distance can be an issue for many, so I’d strongly encourage you to keep up to date by looking at our website and our social media feed. If you’re not online, let us know so we can post future editions of this magazine to you.
We now have a strong corporate vision and a set of values which enshrine the professionalism of staff and the ethics we hold dear. We have had challenges to face as we continue to improve the quality of our services but there have been a number of excellent successes. I’ve been proud to commemorate the hospital’s role in the two World Wars alongside veterans and colleagues from the British Legion. I have been astonished by the huge range of courses and activities done by service users, and recently presented over 300 certificates for achievements from maths to horse riding, and from sporting success to beautiful artwork.
Please enjoy this magazine and help to spread the word about the Trust and how we support our service users.
Rupert Nichols
Lead
Governor
This is your chance to learn about the Trust and your role within it.
As Lead Governor, I have seen many changes during my term, and it’s good to note that they’ve been firmly in the right direction.
As well as seeing the Council of Governors go from strength to strength, I have seen our visibility and participation in the wider organisation develop greatly. I attend the Trust Board and am briefed on the big issues which inevitably face us.
I have been involved in ensuring we support our service users who want to be active in how the Trust operates, and delivering a forum which is fit for them to play the dynamic role which I know they want and need to.
This magazine is your chance to find out about the Trust, and I hope that each issue gives you articles and information which help you learn more about how we’re moving forward.
Gordon Salthouse
Chair of Membership and Communications Sub-Group
This magazine is the product of the governor’s membership and communications sub-group.
It sits alongside our website and our social media, as well as publications like our Annual Report, and is in many ways, your magazine.
The governors’ group which I chair is dedicated to ensuring you are kept informed and feel involved and I am delighted to welcome you to the magazine. I hope you enjoy it!
Joyce Holgate
Talking with Carers
A recent carers’ information day attracted a number of families of service users. The event was held on a Saturday and guests included the chief executive and one of our commissioners.
The regular group meetings are held each month on a Tuesday afternoon. You can see the timetable on our website in the ‘Families and Carers’ section.
The meetings are informal and informative, with refreshments, guests and opportunity for guided visits to parts of the site.
The Trust is a member of the Triangle of Care. Launched in 2010, this is a joint piece of work between the Carers Trust and the National Mental Health Development Unit.
It emphasises the need for better local strategic involvement of carers and families in the care planning and treatment of people with mental ill- health. It was developed by carers and staff to improve carer engagement. It recommends better partnership working between service users and their carers, and organisations.
Earlier this year, we carried out a survey of family members to learn how we can better support carers and involve them more closely. You can read our Carers’ Strategy on our website or ask us for a copy.