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Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is an annual event in the UK that aims to foster conversations about mental health. The week serves as a pivotal time to discuss, destigmatise, and develop an understanding of mental health issues.

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental health concerns everyone, from young children to adults, and encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The way we think, feel, and behave in daily life is intricately linked to our mental health. Yet, despite its importance, mental health often carries a stigma that prevents many from seeking help.

Mental Health Awareness Week is vital because it:

Raises Awareness: It helps to break down societal stigmas and encourages open conversations about mental health.

Promotes Education: The week is an opportunity to spread knowledge about mental health issues and the available support systems.

Encourages Support: By highlighting resources and sharing stories, the week fosters a supportive community for those affected by mental health issues.

Steps to Support Your Mental Health

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, here are some small, practical steps you can take to improve and maintain your mental health:

  1. Regular Exercise: Physical activity is a significant booster for mental health. It releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. Even a short walk can increase your mental alertness, energy, and positive mood.
  2. Balanced Diet: What you eat can affect your brain chemistry and, consequently, your mood and mental health. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains can help stabilise your mood and energy levels.
  3. Adequate Sleep: Sleep and mental health are closely connected. Ensuring you get enough restful sleep is crucial for both your physical and mental health. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a restful environment in your bedroom.
  4. Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help you maintain a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Meditation helps to reduce stress and anxiety, and enhances overall well-being.
  5. Social Connections: Socialising is not just about fun; it’s vital for mental health. Connecting with friends and family can provide emotional support, reduce stress, and strengthen your sense of belonging and self-worth.
  6. Professional Help: Seeking help from a professional is a sign of strength, not a weakness. If you’re struggling, therapists, counsellors, and psychologists can provide support in managing your mental health. Mention your worries to your GP.

Encouraging Others

While taking care of your mental health, encourage others to do the same. Share what you learn about mental health, offer a listening ear to friends and family, and promote mental health resources in your community.

Mental Health Awareness Week reminds us that mental health is as important as physical health. It’s a time to reflect on our mental well-being and take active steps towards maintaining or improving it. Let’s use this week to educate ourselves and others and make lasting changes that will benefit our overall health and happiness. Let’s talk, listen, and promote healthier lives together.

You can find out more from the Mental Health Foundation by clicking here.

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Person Centred Awards May 2024

Again, massive CONGRATULATIONS to Catherine, community support worker and Melissa, night care worker, who celebrated their achievements on the 1st of May 2024.

Catherine, your colleagues said that you were committed to the people you support, nothing is too much trouble, you always strive to make sure that goals and outcomes are achieved.

Melissa, your colleagues said you were an all rounder, you lead a shift as a shift lead should, you have the residents best interest at the heart of what you do.

We are proud to have you on the team!

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Community Hub Open Day Success!

The community hub open day was a lovely, successful event. Throughout the day, we engaged collaboratively with attendees to discuss their preferences for the services provided at the hub. This interaction offered valuable insights and fostered a shared vision for future projects.

We were also pleased to generate ideas for the upcoming summer fair in July. This promises to be an exciting opportunity for further community involvement and enjoyment.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated the calming atmosphere of the hub and expressed enthusiasm for the new projects. Many are looking forward to regular meet-ups, and they valued having a welcoming space available during times of anxiety.

The hub will be open on Wednesdays from the 8th of May 2024.

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Celebrating Person-Centred Care 2024: The votes are in!

Thank you to all who attended the staff meetings at the back end of last month.

During this time, you were all asked to nominate a staff member who you felt deserved a special mention for their commitment to the people we support, dedication to the company and an overall team player.

We can now share with you all that the votes have been counted, and it was inspirational to read the words you all said about one another.

It was a close vote!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Catherine, community support worker and Melissa, night care worker. Your colleagues had wonderful words to say about you, and we, as a management team, can say the same.

Catherine, your colleagues said that you were committed to the people you support, nothing is too much trouble, you always strive to make sure that goals and outcomes are achieved.

Melissa, your colleagues said you were an all rounder, you lead a shift as a shift lead should, you have the residents best interest at the heart of what you do.

Congratulations to you both!

Please come to the office on Wednesday 1st May at 645pm to celebrate your achievements.

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Celebrating Person-Centred Care 2024: A Message to Our Wonderful Staff

In our ongoing commitment to foster a culture of recognition and appreciation, we’re happy to announce the initiation of the 2024 Person-Centred Care Awards. This initiative is designed to spotlight and recognise our staff members’ dedication and exceptional work, who are at the heart of providing compassionate and individualised care to our residents and service users.

A nomination box will be present during our staff meetings, inviting each team member to nominate a colleague they believe embodies the principles of person-centred care. This is your opportunity to shine a light on a colleague’s hard work and dedication.

We ask that you accompany your nomination with a few sentences explaining why this person deserves recognition. This could be an account of their compassion, innovative approach to care, or unwavering support of residents, service users and colleagues.

After all meetings have concluded, we’ll tally the votes. The staff member who receives the most nominations will receive a special gift and a certificate in the first phase of the 2024 awards, marking their outstanding contribution to person-centred care.

The Person-Centred Care Awards are more than just a gift; they reflect our collective values and commitment to recognising our staff’s incredible work. By nominating a colleague, you acknowledge their excellence and help us to foster a culture of appreciation and mutual respect.

We encourage everyone to participate enthusiastically in this process. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and compassionate care that define our team. 

Stay tuned for updates and the stories of our nominees and winners, which we’ll share in our upcoming blogs, our website, and social media. Let’s make the 2024 Person-Centred Care Awards memorable and inspiring for everyone involved.

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Charity Event Support!!

Here at CCT Community Enablement Team, we are very proud to support the Triple A Performer charity. They have an amazing showcase event planned for the 12th of March 2023 that we are very much looking forward to.

Here’s the information about the event…

Charity event highlights unfair challenges faced by neurodivergent performers

Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and anxiety (Triple A), Joseph Green, now 17, was considered a problem child within a broken education system. Following his passion for performing arts, he faced numerous rejections at auditions due to a lack of knowledge about his invisible disabilities. Many would have given up. Not Joseph Green; he is determined to make a difference. He has worked with others to set up a charity called Triple A Performer which aims to raise awareness and acceptance of neurodivergence in performing arts. On 12th March 2023, the eve of the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, the charity will be putting on their showcase launch event at Sheffield’s City Hall which will include a number of neurodivergent performers. The event will showcase the talent amongst neurodivergent creatives as well as illustrate how straightforward inclusion for all can be.

Aged five, Joseph attended a local musical theatre school, Chesterfield Studios. They put up no barriers and took him into their fold. Step by step they rebuilt his confidence and self-esteem through musical theatre and acting. Although battles continued in the background, he was accepted for being himself, he made friends, and flourished.

‘Since meeting and working with Joseph over the past 12 years, we have learned so much about working with neurodivergent young people. We have been able to develop our own skills and working practices such as considering our rehearsal space to reduce sensory overload, providing information in different formats and using quiet spaces. We have seen for ourselves how this has supported Joseph’s own personal development as a performer.’
Jonathan Francis, artistic director, Chesterfield Studios Ltd

It soon became clear however that outside of his local theatre school, the performing arts sector wasn’t quite so accepting of the Triple A boy. Joseph received so many rejections at auditions. He was told he was a good actor but the other kid would be easier to work with. At one successful audition, he was asked not to disclose his disability as people wouldn’t understand. One theatre school had a blanket policy of separating out the disabled children’s audition forms so that the correct percentage could be accepted to tick a box.

Determined not to accept the invisible barrier between him and the performing arts industry, Joseph worked with his mum on a blog highlighting his experiences to inform others about the frustration and unfair challenges faced. This ultimately led to the formation of the charity, Triple A Performer, in December 2021.

The charity is going from strength to strength and has already produced educational films, teaching professionals, and amateur theatre schools to improve their access for neurodivergent performers. Joseph and the charity’s trustees have spoken at national and regional conferences and rallied support from Spotlight, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, Casting Directors Guild, Divergent Talent Group, Music Mark, and various high-profile casting directors and agents. The message is clear. Supporting neurodivergent creatives with understanding and consideration enables them access to the industry, unlocking a huge pool of talent.

On March 12th 2023, Joseph will be proud to be on stage at the charity’s showcase event at Sheffield City Hall. He will be one of a number of talented neurodivergent performers along with the hugely supportive Chesterfield Studios and friends from Sheffield Performing Arts. The impressive line-up includes:

Madeleine MacMahon, comedienne

Maxwell Thorpe, ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist

Robert White, comedian, ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent finalist

Rachel Modest, singer, ITV1’s The Voice semi-finalist

Joseph and the charity’s trustees hope there will be considerable support for the show and for their aims to raise awareness and acceptance of neurodivergence. All profit goes back into the charity to allow them to continue their important work.

About Triple A Performer

Founded in December 2021, the charity’s aims are to raise awareness and understanding of neurodivergence in performing arts. Neurodivergence includes a range of neurological conditions that vary the way in which someone learns, attends, communicates and interacts. This includes autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, etc. The charity offers free resources and training in neurodivergence within the performing arts sector to support fair access and inclusion. For further information, please visit www.tripleaperformer.uk. Tickets for the Showcase Launch on 12.3.23 are available via Ticketmaster :

https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/triple-a-performer-showcase-sheffield-12-03-2023/event/35005D86B1F02EB0