Issue 44 October-December 2012

Mother and baby 20thbirthday celebrations P

3

NHS boss visitsYouthspace projectP

7AGM 2012: Full report

and picturesP8

London 2012: YourOlympic storiesP

11

Confidence is key to Katie’s successP

13

ISSUE DEADLINE

January November 30

April March 1

July May 31

October August 30

2

Chief executive’s message

Do you have a story which could feature in Trust Talk?If so, then contact the editor, Emma Brady on

0121 301 1298 or email trust.talk@bsmhft.nhs.uk. Deadline for the January issue is November 30, 2012.

Trust Talk is published quarterly, soplease note its new copy deadlines belowfor 2013.

All copy to be considered for inclusion mustbe submitted by the dates opposite:

Well the summer has certainly beeneventful with Team GB exceedingexpectations during the Olympic andParalympic games in London.Our staff, service users and carers have alsobeen staging various celebrations of their ownfrom the community day at Mary Seacole tothe 20th anniversary of our mother and babyservice, more award nominations and ofcourse the trust’s AGM.While athletes, commentators and spectatorspraised the work of the 70,000 volunteers, theGames Makers, who took time off from theirday jobs to help out at the games, we mustengage our own ambassadors to furtherimprove patients’, carers’ and relatives’experiences of our services.The health economy is still adjusting to thechanges introduced by the Health and SocialCare Act 2012, but the quality of care is onlyone part of our jobs. The volunteers atLondon 2012 listened to people’s problemsand questions, they assisted and did whatthey could to ensure everyone had a great time.

When people come into our care, it shouldn’tmatter what service they come into, we have aduty to ensure they receive world-class carewherever they are. Similarly carers, friends andrelatives involved with their care may alsoseek assistance or have questions to ask.Everyone is important.With World Mental Health Day on October10 that is something to be remembered – notjust for one day, but every day.There is still much to do as we look forwardto the new year, and we cannot afford to becomplacent, but I am confident that together,we can meet those challenges head on.

Sue Turner, chief executive

Sue Turner, chief executive

Trust Talk deadlinesCaption correctionIn the previous edition of Trust Talk,published in July, an image used in theComMusiCation concert was notcaptioned correctly.The picture was submitted by photographerLin Rampal, who was to be credited for itsuse. In error she was not credited, so theimage is reprinted below with the completecaption, as it should have appeared.

Christmas card competition: Entry deadline extendedFollowing the success of last year’sChristmas card competition, we areasking staff, service users and membersto submit their designs, which mayfeature on our corporate card forChristmas 2012.Last year we received more than 30 entries,five of which were chosen to be printed onpacks of cards, and we hope to receive evenmore this year.To ensure as many people as possible havea chance to enter our annual competition, thedeadline for entries has been extended to

Monday, October 15, 2012.All entries should have a Christmas theme,created using either felt-tip pens, paint,crayons, pencils or computerdesigns/graphics. Collages and photograph-based designs will not be accepted.All artwork should be on A4 paper, eitherportrait or landscape, but must not be folded.Entries may be scanned and submitteddigitally via email, but image resolution mustbe at least 300dpi.Entrants must also provide their name, age,email address and telephone number and

state whether you are a member of staff,service user or member.Entries should be marked Christmas carddesign competition 2012, and can be emailedto laura.brace@bsmhft.nhs.uk or sent by postto Laura Brace, chief executive’s department,BSMHFT Trust HQ, 50 Summer Hill Road,Birmingham, B1 3RB.

For more information call Laura Brace on0121 301 1305 or emaillaura.brace@bsmhft.nhs.uk

In the spotlight: Matthew Knox, one of the singers who

took part in ComMusiCation.

Photo courtesy of Lin Rampal

3

Staff, mothers and babies celebrate 20 years of specialist service’s successThis year sees our specialist mother and baby unit celebrate its 20thanniversary. A series of events wereheld mark the occasion, review theservice’s achievements over the past20 years, and look forward to what thefuture holds.Our trust is home to one of the country’s19 perinatal mental health services with adedicated mother and baby unit, which hashelped more than 1,000 women since itopened in 1992.First established at the former QueenElizabeth Psychiatric Hospital in Edgbaston,the service moved to a purpose-built homeat the Barberry in 2008.Staff, service users, their families andmembers of the public came along to apirate picnic, held in a city park, onSeptember 2, 2012.Martineau Gardens in Edgbaston was thesetting for an afternoon of fun, facepainting, arts and crafts and a specialtreasure hunt.Many people who attended got into thespirit of things by donning their piratecostumes and getting stuck into theactivities.Rounding off the activities was somefearsome storytelling by our very own piratecaptain, Ol’ Bill.This was followed by the 20 year reviewof our perinatal mental health service, heldat the Barberry on September 13.The review was well attended, with staff, service users from past and present,and other healthcare professionals coming along to hear how our perinatal

mental health servicehas become what it is today.Among the speakerswere Professor IanBrockington, whoestablished the service,and a former patientcalled Lynne, whoshared her personalexperience of the mother and baby service.Lynne’s inspirational, funny and engaging

talk acted as a catalyst for other mothers totalk about their experiences – with manycrediting the mother and baby team withsaving their lives.Another survivor Jane Davis, one of thefirst women to receive help from ourperinatal mental health team, said she was“indebted” to them.She added: “I am indebted to the motherand baby unit for the help and support Ireceived 20 years ago, when I really didn'tfeel I could carry on. “Through them, I was able to pick up thepieces and have a happy family life.“I will always be grateful to all of the staffthere and consider myself fortunate to havebeen able to be referred there.”Consultant psychiatrist Dr GilesBerrisford, who leads this specialist service,said: “The Birmingham mother and babyunit is one of the landmark units in thecountry offering a truly comprehensiveservice for women and their families whenthey are at their most vulnerable. “We are all extremely proud of the servicethat we offer and are keen to ensure thatfamilies know help is available, should theyneed it.”The service’s celebrations ended with agala dinner at the Botanical Gardens inEdgbaston, which included a staffrecognition awards ceremony, beforeguests danced the night away to a live band.

Jayne Reed and her son Harrison at the pirate picnic in Edgbaston.

Dr Giles Beresford received a special award from chief executive Sue Turner for his work in developing the

perinatal mental health service.

Professor Ian

Brockington.

4

Sing-a-long withthe CBSOThe City of Birmingham SymphonyOrchestra (CBSO) has joined forceswith our trust to stage a special eventto mark World Mental Health Day.As part of an on-going partnership withour trust, the CBSO have agreed to stage asing-a-long event at their base near BroadStreet, in the city centre, on October 10.Organisers hope to get more than 300people singing their hearts out at the CBSOCentre in Berkley Street between 1pm and4pm. The sing-a-long, led by the CBSO’schoir master, will begin at 2pm and singersof all abilities and ages are welcome.This is fantastic opportunity to experienceensemble singing and be part of this uniquechoir as it performs with one of thecountry’s finest orchestras. It is hoped that this invitation to sing willshow those who come along the value andbenefits of singing, especially as part of agroup. Engaging in the arts can promoteprevention of illness and build wellbeingWhile admission to the event is free,

booking is essential, so please contactour community engagement team on0121 301 1060 or via emailcommunity.engagement@bsmhft.nhs.ukto book a place.

Artistic service users and staff willunveil their latest creations as the ArtsAll Over The Place festival opens inOctober.Now in its sixth year, this free annual artsfestival celebrates the talents of people whohave experienced mental ill health, andalso seeks to highlight how artistic activitiescan be of benefit to them.This year Arts All Over The Place will takeplace at the Lakeside Gallery in the CustardFactory, Digbeth. The exhibition space isopen Monday to Saturday between 11amto 4pm, from October 1.A closing party will be held on October 13between 2pm and 4pm, featuring variousperformances including a set by theUkaladies.Arts All Over The Place is a service user-led event, run in partnership with one of thecity’s leading charities - Full Potential Arts -which helps to improve lives throughcreative activities.Jenny Ricks, the charity’s developmentmanager, said: “The arts are a lifeline tomany people who experience mental illhealth, and can be essential to surviving thedark days. “Full Potential Arts is committed tosupporting Arts All Over The Place andensuring that the festival continues. “There are so many incredibly talentedpeople who produce amazing work through

all the arts, much of which is never seen byanyone outside a mental health setting. “All those involved in this festivalpassionately believe it is essential to provide

a platform for all these talented individualsand to engage the wider communities inconversations about mental health.”Arts All Over The Place provides freeexhibition space to people fromBirmingham and Solihull who mightotherwise have no opportunity to showcasetheir talent. As well as visiting the exhibition, visitorscan take part in a variety of workshops.Previously these have included card makingand clay modelling through to Asian floorart and African drumming. The festival is now very much a part ofBirmingham’s art scene, attracting around1,000 visitors and artists last year. Allevents during the festival are free.

• For more information please send youremails to artsallovertheplace@yahoo.co.uk.

Arts All Over The Place celebrates its sixth creative year

When times are changing andchallenging, people may feel theystruggle to make their views heard.Since our organisation became afoundation trust in July 2008, we have madeengaging with our members a priority.Events like the CBSO sing-a-long are funbut they also provide members with anopportunity to get involved in the trust’sactivities.Becoming a member also gives you a voicethat will be heard by the trust, as well as the

chance to become an anti-stigma champion,to help us tackle the social stigma thatsurrounds mental health.Our trust is keen that all of our 13,677members feel valued and continue to support us.

To find out more and to register as amember, visit our websitewww.bsmhft.nhs.uk and click onmembers and governors.

Don’t lose your voice, join our trust

Our neuropsychiatry and physicaltherapies teams are working with CardiffUniversity to find out how physiotherapycan improve Huntington’s diseasepatients’ daily lives.The Barberry-based teams were the first inthe country to enrol a participant onto theTRAIN-HD study.People with the disease are being asked totake part in an eight week physiotherapyregime to help them perform everyday taskssuch as balancing, walking and sitting down.Those living with Huntington’s disease cansee their muscle control deteriorate and canhave problems with activities of daily living.

It will look at how a physiotherapy-ledtraining programme conducted in patients’homes would benefit people with mid-stageHuntington’s disease. In total 30 people willbe take part at different sites across thecountry.Our team is led by Dr Hugh Rickards,consultant neuropsychiatrist, with KerryGibson, clinical lead physiotherapist as studyco-ordinator, assisted by research fellowsShabana Akhtar and Jennifer de Souza. DrMonica Busse leads Cardiff University’s team,working alongside Lori Quinn and KatyDebono.

Physiotherapy at heart of Huntington’s study

5

Earlier in the year, Michael McGuinness,a photojournalism Masters student atthe University of Westminster,approached our trust to be the subjectof his final project. Following discussions and executiveapproval, Michael was grantedunprecedented access to the trust and wasaccompanied to various sites to photographvarious service users at different points oftheir journeys to recovery.His project – entitled Monday comes

very quickly – captured staff, service users and volunteers at work, in discussions or even driving to theirappointments, to understand what workingin mental health means.Michael also took a series of portraits,including the image of Mary McGuinness(no relation), consultant clinical psychologist with the perinatal mentalhealth service, on the cover of this issue of Trust Talk.A selection of images from this portfoliowere exhibited as part of the Here and Nowphotojournalism MA degree show inSeptember, staged at the university inMarylebone, London.A group of service users and trustvolunteers were invited to its opening night,to see Michael’s work.The aim of Michael’s project was to showhow our trust provides positive support forpeople with mental health issues. He hopeshis pictures may help break down thebarriers associated with mental health in our society.Mental health was a popular theme for the students’ projects as many of theother students exhibiting had either

experienced mental health difficultiesthemselves or covered the topic through their work. Eugene Egan, who visited the exhibitionwith our trust’s group, described Michael’swork as “thought provoking, it’s interestingto see how the pictures can tell a story.” Eugene added that he never thoughtphotography would be able to depictmental health before now.“It’s inspiring to know that there are artiststhat have suffered from mental health issuesthemselves, and that they can communicatethrough art forms,” he said.

Photographic exhibition captures our work

When the goinggets tough, ourstaff keep goingResults of a research project, exploringthe psychological resilience of staffworking in acute inpatient wards in ourtrust, are due to be reported in October. A qualitative research project has beencarried out at the Oleaster, in Edgbaston,exploring how acute inpatient staff makesense of their experiences of managingdifficult or challenging situations at work.Previous research has focused on staffmorale but there has been littleconsideration of how staff cope and remainmotivated in what can be, at times, a verydemanding role. The research was conducted by EmmaShaw Nunez, an MRes research student atthe University of Birmingham working withDr Catherine Amphlett and Dr RachelSpector, clinical psychologists, south acutepsychological services, at the Oleaster.Six members of inpatient staff wereinterviewed for the study between July andAugust and a staff focus group was carriedout in September. The study’s findings will be shared inOctober and used to inform future servicedevelopment, supervision and supportprovided to acute services staff.The researchers want to thank all staffwho took part in the study, and also theward managers and Danni Juttla, southservice development manager, forsupporting the project.

Service user Robert Doyle features in this photo, entitled: Yes. This is my bedroom.

Michael spent time visiting sites across our trust as well as service users at Park Lane Garden Centre.

6

Celebrating Black History MonthOur trust services a diverse populationacross Birmingham, Solihull and thewider West Midlands, with dozens ofdifferent ethnic communities living in the region.To better understand their needs, ourservices aim to understand and recognisethe importance of their cultural heritage, andBlack History Month is the ideal time to lookat how we do that.Events will be staged across Birminghamand Solihull during October. The Drum in Aston kicked off itscelebrations early on September 28 bycelebrating the music and life of legendaryjazz musician, Andy Hamilton, who died onJune 3, 2012, aged 94It will also host the biennial Afro Vibesfestival, a three-week celebration of thecrafts, creativity and culture of South Africa,which opens on October 8.Soho House, in Handsworth, will also beopening its doors on October 24 to enablevisitors to explore its historic links with theLunar Society and its anti-slavery campaign. Originally recognised in the US in the early1980s, Black History Month was firstmarked in London in October 1987. The ideawas to promote the value of ethnic diversityand the contribution the Afro Caribbeancommunity has made, and continues to

make, to British society.Recognising the role their predecessorshad in successfully fighting for opportunities,rights, entitlements and life chances is veryimportant, as those who arrived between

1940 and 1960 struggled to survive – so itis time to celebrate and acknowledge theirachievements.Younger members of these communitiesmay be unaware of the contributions theirgrandparents or great-grandparents madethrough British history, particularly the war years.Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse, soughtout the wounded and performed last officeto the dying solders during the Crimean Warin 1854. She had in abundance firmness, physicalcourage, and high level of professionalintegrity, so it is fitting the nursing school atBirmingham City University’s faculty ofhealth building took her name in 2007. Maryis one of many unsung role models to becelebrated. Black History Month is important as itcelebrates the achievements of the past,which for older people is often something tobe proud of, and recognises their knowledge,experiences and skills.For younger people it is an opportunity tolearn more about their cultural heritage, toenhance their own identity.

• Full details of Black History Monthevents can be found by visitingwww.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Portrait of Mary Seacole by Albert Charles Challen,

courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Aquarius launches new community alcoholservice in StaffordshireAquarius, in partnership with our trust,are spearheading Stoke-on-Trent’sground-breaking community alcoholservice.The effective service will continue to beoperated from a central base at BalwantHouse in Shelton. There will also beoutreach venues geographically spreadthroughout the city to ensure easier accessto support and offer support to people athome.Aquarius have pledged to offer smootherpathways through treatment for dependentdrinkers and an enhanced focus on linkingservice users into continuing care andsupport after their treatment. The service,which is funded by the Safer CityPartnership, will offer counselling and homedetoxification and deliver the alcoholtreatment requirement project in partnershipwith the Probation Service. It will be openMonday to Saturday, including two evenings,and will operate a 24-hour 365-days-a-yeartelephone support service.Patrick Reihill, service delivery manager inBSMHFT’s substance misuse service, said:“This is a real innovation with two agencieswith established track records of deliveringquality care the coming together.“Pooling our shared expertise to provide

streamlined care ensures that service usersreceive care which promotes and deliverssustainable recovery.”In addition, Aquarius will deliver the alcohol brief interventions service, alsobased at Balwant House but willpredominantly operate on an outreach basis.The service offers drop-in sessions andsupport to organisations in identifyingalcohol misuse and a scheme, which

diverts people from criminal justice intosupport for alcohol misuse.The Safer City Partnership is continuing tosupport the revised service withcomplementary artwork and promotionalliterature carrying alcohol safety messages. To ask about support or moreinformation call the service’s newnumber – 01782 283 113 or email stoke-on-trent@aquarius.org.uk.

From left to right - Aquarius’s team: Janine Burgess, Linda Hough, Eileen Ryder and Jane Harrison.

Sir Neil McKay, chief executive for NHSMidlands and East of England, wasinspired by Youthspace’s work duringhis recent visit to their base at ThePrince’s Trust in Digbeth.Despite heading up the region’s strategichealth authority, Neil – who insists peopledon’t address him using the title – is makingtime to explore the widened patch and talkto people involved in delivering care, as wellas those who receive it.After meeting some of Youthspace’s youthboard members, he was left in no doubt howmuch access to the service has improvedtheir lives.The informal visit began with a roundtablediscussion about how Youthspace and thePrince’s Trust came to work together andhow they work with young people inBirmingham.Professor Max Birchwood, who leads theYouthspace service, explained: “Most of whatwe do is about prevention, as mental healthproblems often start in youth, rather than inolder age when we expect to experiencehealth problems.“Mental health services need to bestrengthened, particularly between 16 and18, which is where there can be a gapbetween paediatric and adult services.”

Vicki Taylor and Carly Townsend, twoservice users and youth board members,both explained how they have bothbenefited from our trust’s youth service,which provides care and support for peopleaged from 16 to 25.Vicki, who was originally referred to theFairbridge programme, has begun

volunteering and also sits on the youthboard.“I’ve been involved with The Prince’s Trustfor about two years, but it took me a longtime to develop the confidence to getinvolved with them and Youthspace.“Before I didn’t really have anything tostimulate me, I was getting nowhere andwasn’t interacting with anybody, but gettinginvolved with these projects and serviceshave helped me to focus and become moreconfident.”Carly added: “I’d spent a lot of time withinmental health services and Youthspace hashelped change how mental health servicesengage with young people.”Neil was then taken on a tour of thebuilding, which included demonstrating theYouthspace website, dropping in on ananimation art class and meeting some of theother inspirational young people.He spent 30 minutes talking to membersof the class, including Jordan Doyle, whowas drawing comic characters called thePlasticines and told him about his ownambitions.

7

What a difference a day makes at Youthspace

Youth mental health services shortlisted for major awardsStaff working with young service usershave been shortlisted for two prestigiousnational awards.Our specialist youth service, Youthspace, isin contention for a Health Service JournalAward, for its work on developing a strategyfor youth mental health.In April 2012, Youthspace signed anInternational Declaration on Youth MentalHealth in England in partnership with thePrince’s Trust to highlight the importance ofchanging people’s perceptions of youthmental health, and ensure they get the righthelp at the right time. The winners of the HSJ Awards will be

announced at the GrovesnorHouse Hotel in London onNovember 20.Earlier this year our forensicchildren and adolescent mentalhealth service, based atArdenleigh in Erdington, became the first secure servicein Britain to receive autismaccreditation from the NationalAutistic Society.As a result, the team have been shortlistedfor the Nursing Times Award for nursing inmental health, for enhancing care for youngpeople with autistic spectrum disorder.

They spent 18 months workingtowards accreditation, whichusually takes three years toachieve, to demonstrate theirspecialist knowledge andunderstanding of autism.The winners of the 2012 Nursing Times Awards will be announcedat the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, in

London, on October 31.

• Look out for a follow-up on bothnominations in the January 2013 issue of Trust Talk.

Sir Neil McKay shares a joke with Jordan Doyle during an art session.

He spent time talking to service users about their artistic efforts.

8

Wellbeing f

October marks another importantmilestone in the Tamarind Centre, ournew medium secure unit in BordesleyGreen, Birmingham.Interserve, our contractors will complete thebuild and hand over Tamarind Centre to ourtrust, in order for preparations to be made forthe first patients, who are due to arrive inDecember.During this time, the team will be busypreparing the site and staff will be embarkingon an induction programme in preparation forthe first wards opening – Acacia, which willbe a rehabilitation ward and Hibiscus, whichwill be an acute ward.The new 89-bed unit will offer assessment,treatment and rehabilitation for men requiring

medium secure care, and will also support ourother male medium secure unit, Reaside inRubery, Birmingham.Catherine O’Connell, chief operating officerfor Midlands and East SpecialistCommissioning Group joined our chiefexecutive Sue Turner and Alan Kenny,director of commercial services and assetmanagement, on a tour of Tamarind Centre in August. Over the coming months open days will bearranged for staff, partners and the localcommunity to have a tour of the facility.

For more information visit our website,www.bsmhft.nhs.uk where tour details willbe displayed once confirmed.

Contractors to handover new hospital

Trust Chair, Sue Davis, addresses the AGM.

A new guide aiming to help people withmental health problems access adviceand services is set to be launched inOctober.Birmingham City Council has teamed upwith the NHS to produce a pocket guide,called Rights and entitlements, which willbe launched on October 10 - World MentalHealth Day.This free guide, produced by NHSBirmingham Public Health, directs peopleto service information giving them morecontrol over the services they access, willbe available from GPs surgeries, libraries,leisure centres and community venues.More than 140,000 people in Birmingham– about one in 10 – experience mentalhealth problems, with around 50,000 notaccessing the services or treatments theyare entitled to.Coun Steve Bedser, Birmingham CityCouncil cabinet member for health andwellbeing, said: “Everyone has a right toaccess the services and treatments theyneed to help them live their lives to thefullest and it’s not acceptable that manypeople with mental health problems arelikely to have their physical health needs

unrecognised or poorly managed.“We’ve recognised this issue inBirmingham and I’m proud we are nowlaunching the Rights and entitlementsguide to help people with mental healthproblems to help themselves.”Our trust’s patient and public involvementteam, led by Mark Hillier, is supporting theNHS Birmingham Public Health-fundedinitiative.The Positive Mental Health Group, aservice user forum, has been closelyinvolved from the design of the wallet cardthrough to intelligence gathering, conceptand service information. Dr Adrian Phillips, director of public healthfor Birmingham, added: “Poor mentalhealth is associated with an increased riskof diseases such as heart disease, cancerand diabetes, while good mental health is aknown protective factor. Poor physicalhealth also increases the risk of peopledeveloping mental health problems. “People with mental health problemssuffer from discrimination, stigma and areoften denied vital health and social careservices. We simply cannot stand by andallow this to happen anymore.”

New NHS pocket guide to Birmingham’s services

Health and wellbeing were atthe heart of the trust’s AGM thisyear, which drew highattendance throughout the day.

More than 100 people came to our annual meeting, run with a health andwellbeing fair, at the Uffculme in Moseley, on September 25.Plenty of interactive events, workshops andseminars were included in the day – with apedal-powered smoothie bike proving a bighit with visitors. We challenged people to choose their fruits,then pedal as fast as possible to power theblender in order to make a smoothie. After allof that hard work, our complementarytherapists were on hand to offer somerelaxation with free hand and head massages.Arshad Bhutt, a service user and member ofour trust said “I’ve come to the AGM andfound it very well attended, which led to manyenjoyable activities before and afterwards.”Our trust’s wellbeing community choiropened the AGM with a rousing performance,supported by a live band. Stephanie Faulkner,a member of the choir, described the day as“very informative and helpful”.Attendees were also entertained with a host of live performances including a specialperformance by Eduardo Vassallo, the City ofBirmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO)section leader for cello, marking the launch ofan exciting partnership between our trust andthe CBSO. Sue Davis, Chair of our trust, reflected onthe many changes that BSMHFT has seen

The Tamarind Centre, which is due to welcome its first service users by the end of the year.

over the past year, and welcomed a numberof new governors, including Mary Jones who is featured in the Governor Spotlight onpage 15.One of our long-standing non-executivedirectors, Stan Baldwin, was also honouredas his retirement was marked by our chiefexecutive, Sue Turner, who presented himwith a special photo album commemoratinghis time with the trust. Stan’s wife, Vivienne,

also received a bouquet of flowers.Martin Sheldon, executive director ofresources, gave a summary of the trustsperformance over the past year.

He talked about some of the major workthat has been happening during 2012including the roll-out of our RAID service tohospitals across Birmingham and Solihull,and improvements to our IT infrastructure.Looking ahead, Martin noted that these arechallenging times with many changeshappening within the health economy. As atrust we are preparing for GP commissioningand changes to the way we will receiveincome for our services.Maureen Johnson, public governor forSolihull felt Martin’s and Sue’s speecheswere “inspirational”. She also welcomed the openness anddialogue that followed during the questionand answer sessions, adding “I feel part of abig family”.Pat Fleetwood-Walker, carer governor, whoshared those sentiments, said: “There’s agreat atmosphere, and it’s a great way to

celebrate the achievements of the trust bybringing everyone together.”During lunch, Dr Lisa Brownell and DrNazreen Fazal-Short led a GP seminar onour Head 4 Health project. Dr Aqil Chaudary, GP mental health leadwho attended the seminar congratulated theteam on their community model andwelcomed idea of consultants developingmuch closer working relationships with theirlocal GPs. Dr Paul Patterson, Tim Newbold, AmandaSkeate and Pip Hoskins from ourYouthspace team also led a session onmental health in young people on our finalseminar of the day.

9

fair draws a healthy crowd to our AGM

This year’s event attracted record attendance.Our Wellbeing Community Choir sang their hearts out during the AGM.

Complementary therapies, including foot massages, were popular.

Dee Roach, executive director of quality, improvement

and patient experience, pedals her way to a tasty

smoothie.

10

The sun was shining down on our familyfun day, held at Mary Seacole House,earlier in the summer.Staff, service users and local residentssoaked up the rays while they wereentertained by acts including local poetSpicy Fingers, Dhol drummers, Irish pipersand many more.The community family fun day, organisedby our community engagement team, wasblessed with a rare sunny weather, eventhough it was July.As well as music to entertain the crowds, awide range of workshops were hosted onthe wards to ensure service users, unable toattend the outdoor event, could enjoythemselves too.Kate Statham, staff nurse at the unit inHandsworth, said that the event was brilliantfor members of the community and serviceusers alike.She added: “It’s nice that the communityhave come along and taken part, and it’sgood that service users can get involved –it’s a huge boost to their confidence andthey really feel part of the community.”Donovan Anderson, an inpatient at MarySeacole House, commented on how much

the service users appreciated the day, saying“it’s brought a bit of normality and alsoshows trust in the service users.”The event also helped break down barriersbetween the unit and the community. Local resident Marie Shearer came to theevent after her son saw it advertised.

Marie added: “Mental health issues canaffect anyone, and it’s nice to know thatthere are places like this for people to comeand see that the care is there.”The event raised a total of £235, and thetuck shop took over £100, which will gotowards funding activities at Mary SeacoleHouse.

Thankfully the choir was singing in the sun, and not the rain, at the fun day.

Left to right: Donovan Anderson, Lakhvir Rellon - director of community engagement and poet Spicy Fingers

enjoying the event.

Musicians entertained the crowd throughout the day.

Arts and crafts fairA day of arts, crafts and workshops isbeing held in Edgbaston to provideservice users, our trust and voluntaryorganisations an opportunity toshowcase their work.Organised by the trust’s communityengagement team, in conjunction withvoluntary sector organisationBreakthrough, the arts and craft fair willbe held at the Tally Ho!, on PershoreRoad, between 11am and 3pm onOctober 29.There will also be musical and drama willalso feature during the day includingperformances by the trust’s WellbeingCommunity Choir, saxophonist AndyGayle, drama by Community Vibe andmusicians from the Phoenix.

Sun smiles on our family fun day

Kiran enjoys hermoment to shine

One of our carers brushed shoulderswith pop royalty when she met Sir CliffRichard after being selected to take partin the Olympic torch relay this summer.Kiran Sahota, from Handsworth, was thefinal torch bearer on June 30, when theOlympic flame passed through Birmingham. She had the honour of lighting theOlympic cauldron at Cannon Hill Park afterreceiving the flame earlier from Sir Cliff atEdgbaston Cricket Ground.Kiran, who cares for her granddad, feltoverwhelmed by the once in a lifetimeexperience: “It still feels like a dream.”She added: “I never thought I’d experiencesomething like this. It was so amazing and I really feel honoured to have been chosen.”Kiran was nominated by her sister, tothank her for her dedication in caring fortheir granddad, who had to give up work tobecome a carer. However with help andsupport from her family and staff atHandsworth assertive outreach team, shehas now set up her own jewellery-makingbusiness, KrayZKiz, with her sister.

11

London 2012: What a summer!

Games Makers made the Games comealive, that’s what many athletes,commentators and politicians saidrepeatedly throughout London 2012.About 70,000 people gave up their time andenergy to help put a smile on people’s faces– and Emma Brady, Trust Talk’s editor, wasone of them. Emma said: “As a first-time volunteer, I really had no idea what to expect, I was justsuper-excited to be part of the greatest showon Earth.“Working on venue entry didn’t soundparticularly exciting, but it was so much fun.Most days were spent cheering, shouting –and occasionally hugging – to keepspectators happy.

“Throughout London 2012 people saidthank you to many of the volunteers in theirdistinctive purple and red tops, but being partof their day, their experience, was a realprivilege.”Inspired by her eight-day stint, Emma is nowlooking to continue her volunteering journeyat the 2014 Commonwealth Games inGlasgow, and hopefully the next Olympics inRio 2016.“The reaction to the Games Makers hasbeen both awesome and touching,” addedEmma, “whether it was helping people withdirections, taking photos for them or justgiving a high-five.“It was an amazing experience which has

really given me a taste for volunteering.”

This summer was spectacular for sport,in particular the Olympics andParalympics in London.

Staff, service users and carers were alsotouched by the Games’ golden glow,including a volunteer, a torch bearer and

some lucky service users who sawJamaica’s best train at BirminghamUniversity. Here are their stories:

Olympic fever swept across the nationthis summer, and Birmingham was noexception, playing host to the Jamaicanand USA track and field teams. Service users from Mary Seacole House,Yewcroft and Youthspace were lucky enoughto be trackside to watch the athletes trainingat the University of Birmingham andAlexandra Stadium in July.Stephen Jones, an inpatient at Mary SeacoleHouse, who watched the Jamaican athletestrain at the university’s running track, said: “It’sbeen a once in a lifetime opportunity, and Ifeel privileged to be here”.Dominique Blake, who won a bronze medalas part of the women’s 4x400m relay team,praised the training camp – and the supportthey had received in Birmingham.She said: "It's been really good - for theCaribbean community and the communityoverall.”British-Jamaican chef, Levi Roots said thatthe Jamaican team inspires passion.

He said: “The passion carried by theJamaican team can inspire all of us, which iswhat is needed in times of recession anddownturn”.Olive Thomas, a nursing assistant at MarySeacole House, was also able to enjoy TeamJamaica’s preparations for the Olympics.She said: “It's nice for Birmingham to putthis on for the community. I've been watchingthe athletes on TV and I was a sports personat school."The High Commissioner of Jamaica wascertainly showing her passion, as she wavedher Jamaican flag and cheered on theathletes as they came to greet the audiences.Service users who watched Team USApublic training session at the AlexandraStadium, in Perry Barr, were also able to meet world-class athletes ahead of theLondon 2012.

Making the Games by volunteering

Jamaica and USA training events

Kiran with her Olympic torch.

Relay sprinter Dominique Blake at the training day.

Jamaican sprinter Warren Weir at the track.

Survey reveals some teenagers feel they face discrimination from parents and teachers, as well as their peers.

12

National survey highlightsstigma facing teenagers

Nine out of ten young people in the WestMidlands are affected by the stigmaaround mental health, according to newresearch published by Time To Change.The national anti-stigma programme, run byMind and Rethink Mental Illness, releasedshocking new statistics which reveal theextent to which young people can reactagainst mental health issues.Their research also reveals that 75 per centof 14 to 18-year-olds in the region feel thatclassmates with mental health issues shouldnot be at their school, while 86 per cent saidthey would end a friendship with a peerexperiencing mental health difficulties.Time to Change launched its latestcampaign in September, featuring a filmcalled Stand Up Kid, aimed at stamping outstigma faced by young people with mentalhealth problems in the West Midlands. Much of the discrimination they face oftencomes from those they might need to turn tofirst including friends (66 per cent), parents(54 per cent) and also teachers/lecturers (49 per cent).Our trust works closely with Time toChange to help address attitudes like thiswithin the diverse communities our trustserves.The new film aims to inspire young peoplein the region, particularly those who have nounderstanding of mental health problems, tochange their attitudes towards others whoare affected.Michael Crump began displaying symptomsof obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) fromthe age of 10 experienced an urge to countor repeat things.The 18-year-old drama student fromBirmingham said: “I was diagnosed with OCD

when I was 13 andhave faced all types ofstigma over the years. “Mainly, it came fromother classmatesmaking fun of me andthe symptoms of myillness. It had a hugeeffect on myconfidence and can beone of the hardest parts of dealing with amental health problem.“Many young people pick on you becausethey don’t understand and it can be reallydifficult to explain unless you’ve been throughit yourself. “This film will help to spread the messagethat mental health problems are the same asany otherl illness – you need help andsupport to recover.”Sue Baker, director of Time to Change, said:“We know that attitudes around mental healthare formed at an early age and it’s soimportant that we reach young people beforetheir views become entrenched. “Unfortunately, these statistics shows howmany have already formed negative attitudestowards peers with mental health problemsand this is something we desperately need to change.”Schools across the region will be involved inan 18-month pilot to deliver a curriculum-ledcompetition, an education programmedelivered by young service users and theirparents, and community events in order totackle such stereotypes.

To find out more about Time to Change’sChildren and Young People campaignvisit www.time-to-change.org.uk

A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)programme developed by a seniortrust psychologist for clinicians inPalestine’s West Bank has receivedwide recognition since its launch in 2009.Dr Alan Kessedjian, principal clinicalpsychologist at the Zinnia Centre inSparkhill, presented his work to theEuropean Association of Behavioural andCognitive Therapies Congress in Genevathis summer.Over the past three years, the Arabic-spoken courses have equipped 33Palestinian mental health professionalswith a basic level training in CBT.The 10 and six day courses weredeveloped by Dr Kessedjian and DrSamah Jabr, consultant psychiatrist anddirector of mental health at BethlehemNGO - the Guidance and Training Centrefor the Family and Child.

The training offers a culturally-specificintegrated CBT model and adheres to theCBT training competencies developed byRoth and Pilling (2007) for CBT trainingcourses in the UK.Dr Kessedjian said: “It is an honour tobe presenting our work at thisconference, alongside other internationalinitiatives in the field of CBT training andsupervision. “I believe it will be the first of its kind inrelation to having Palestinianrepresentation at the Europeanconference which is now in its 42nd yearwith over 1,000 delegates from all acrossthe world here in attendance in Geneva.”He added: “In relation to the Palestinianproject, both Dr Jabr and myself arealready moving onto our next jointventures of creating an Arabic CBTtraining manual to accompany the trainingand Arabic cross-cultural integrated CBTpsycho-educational materials that mayalso benefit some of the service users inour trust.”

West Bank CBTreceives recognition

Dr Kessedjian and Dr Jabr with some of the

Palestinian mental health workers who have

completed the course since 2009.

Michael Crump

13

Confidence is key to success for KatieKatie Houghton is very excited. Not onlyis she preparing to celebrate herbirthday in Paris, in November, but sheis also taking part in an internationalbeauty pageant on the same day.To look at her, it’s hard to believe Katie,from Marston Green, Solihull, has ever beenanything less than healthy.In fact, it is her recovery from disorderedeating that led friends to encourage her toenter a local competition last year.Katie’s relationship with food changedwhile she was on holiday in summer 2002.She explained: “I was really hungry andordered spaghetti bolognaise but when thewaiter brought to our table, I couldn’tcontemplate eating it. I had no idea why andI became very anxious and frustrated.“When I got home I began to find foodshopping difficult too. Normally I wouldn’tscrutinise what I put in the basket but now Iwas looking at the calories, buying WeightWatchers instead of my usual brands. I didn’t

want to lose weight, and had no idea why I felt like this.”The petite 5ft 5in sales worker struggledwith her relationship with food for about 12 months before she finally sought advicefrom her GP.“By this point I as about 7 stone – 8.5stone is considered healthy for a woman ofmy height – and I was admitted as a daypatient but I struggled to stay on track withmy eating when I got home.”Katie was later admitted to the Reed Unitat the former Queen Elizabeth PsychiatricHospital in Edgbaston – which was replacedby the Barberry and Oleaster “I was completely obsessed with losinganother half a stone because then I felt Iwould have earned my place at the unit,” sheremembers.“At my lowest point I was eating three richtea biscuits and a cup of tea in the morning,and that was it. I look back now and I reallydon’t know how I’m still here.”Katie persevered and made good progress,and in 2004, having reached 8 stone, shewas discharged.“For three years I was ok, then one day I felt as if a switch had been flicked in myhead as I realised I would either be forced todo something or I could take control andsort myself out.“Now, for the first time I really wanted tobreak the cycle – that’s the differencebetween wanting to get better and actuallybelieving that you can.” In 2011 Katie entered a local heat for MissWarwickshire. She was a finalist in the Faceof the Midlands competition earlier this year,and will take part in the Face of Europefinals at Disneyland Paris next month.She said: “It wasn’t about whether I won ornot, for me it’s about having confidence in yourself, so in that respect these have

really helped me.”Katie is now a trained volunteer andadvisor with B-EAT, the national eatingdisorders charity, sharing her experience andhelping others on their own road to recovery.She said: “I never thought I’d be wellenough to do this, let alone give advice toothers.“However after my experiences in hospital,at home, in the pageants and volunteering, itshows that you can overcome obstacles andchange your life. “

Trust Talk would like to thank Katie forsharing her story.

Katie’s tips:• Talk to somebody: At the beginning Ididn’t understand what was happeningto me so I didn’t’ tell anyone about it formonths. The earlier you tell someonethe better.

• Don’t give up: Find something else tofocus on, a goal or something you reallywant to achieve. Mine was I wanted tobe ‘normal’ – but now I realise that I meant healthy – and to have a clearhead again.

• Get into a routine: For me this wasn’tabout being slim, I was below weightbecause my relationship with food hadchanged. Once I established a goodroutine, things began to fall into placefor me.

Image courtesy of photographer Brian Fawcus.

Our real time patient feedback project isheading trustwide following a verysuccessful pilot period.We are now placing our kiosks at sites withthe biggest footfall. That is where the mostpatients are seen by our teams. The kiosksallow patients and carers to give feedbackelectronically at any time.Our tablets will be arranged to seekfeedback in a focused way. We willundertake surveys regularly but for shortperiods that allow reflection on the resultsand actions that make a difference to theservice we provide.Our service improvements will bepresented to users, carers and staff in a “yousaid, we did” approach, which proves how wehave used the results and comments gained.

You may also be asked by our staff, “How likely is it that you would recommendthis service to friends and family?”

We will ask patients or carers to score usbetween 10 and zero, with 10 being verylikely, and zero being very unlikely. Patientscompleting the survey will also be asked whythose scores were given.This work aims to improve the patient and carer experience, but also to help guideour staff in focusing on the things thatmatter most to our patients, service usersand carers.

For further information contact our realtime feedback project leadmark.hillier@bsmhft.nhs.ukTo discuss any patient or carer issue inmore detail our PALS customer relationsteam are on 0800 953 0045, Monday toFriday, between 8am and 8pm.

Successful feedback project to go trustwide

Staff nurse Belette Woldermicheal demonstrates how

to use the electronic tablets for surveys.

14

Barberry stages first UKfunctional therapists’ forumThe first UK functional therapistsmeeting for therapists that work withpeople with functional neurologicaldisorders was held at the Barberry, inEdgbaston this summer.The meeting, held on June 15, was the firstnational opportunity for frontline workers toshare their work, develop treatmentapproaches and make links with this field.Dr Hugh Rickards, consultant inneuropsychiatry, and Louise Oakley, senioroccupational therapist, both based in theneuropsychiatry department, organised theevent with Stephanie Howlett, specialistpsychotherapist from Sheffield TeachingHospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Dr Rickards said “This has been a really

exciting event and is paving the way for realimprovements in the ways that we treatpeople with these common mental disorders”The day included presentations and groupworkshops, attended by therapists,psychotherapists, psychologists,physiotherapists, occupational therapists andneuropsychiatrists from many NHS trustsaround the country.A wide variety of topics were coveredincluding some extremely thought provokingdiscussions. Stephanie Howlett said the meeting “gavea real sense of the energy going into thisfield”. The feedback has been very positiveand a further meeting is already beingplanned to be held in Exeter at a later date.

Next generation of neuropsychiatristsnurtured at our trust

Neuropsychiatry students at BSMHFT joined the summer school in Germany.

It has been an exciting summer forneuropsychiatry trainees at our trust.In June, medical student Ellie Crossley, whointercalated in psychological medicine with DrAndrea Cavanna in 2011/12, won the firstprize for the best poster presentation at theEuropean Society for the Study of TouretteSyndrome (ESSTS) annual meeting. Dr Hugh Rickards and Dr Cavanna bothpresented examples of their own researchconducted at BSMHFT, to the conference –this year held in Catania, Italy – on therelationship between impulsivity and ticdisorders.MSc student John Piedad, also part of thegroup, was successful in winning two travelgrants from ESSTS to attend the Cataniameeting and also the summer training school on the pharmacological therapy ofTourette syndrome at Schloss Reisensburg

castle in Ulm, Germany. Another successful medical student, ConorKavanagh, was also awarded a Europeanbursary to attend the training school inAugust, which put our trust at the forefront ofEuropean research on Tourette syndrome.Like Ellie and John, Conor has developed agenuine interest in neuropsychiatry and willintercalate with a project on Tourettesyndrome for his BMedSc degree at theDepartment of Neuropsychiatry on 2012/13.These young students are the clinicians andresearchers of tomorrow, who will guaranteethe best standard of care to neuropsychiatrypatients thanks to their unique skills. Our trust’s neuropsychiatry group was themost highly represented group at theEuropean training school on Tourettesyndrome.

Clinicians and service users from theNorwegian Addiction Service visitedour trust to hear from local andnational experts in addictions.Nick Maiden, team leader for addictionrecovery community hub east organisedthe visit which showcased the wealth ofknowledge and skills in Birmingham onSeptember 19.Dr Ed Day, senior lecturer in addictionstudies at University of Birmingham, andDr Steve Brinksman, a south BirminghamGP and lead addictions specialist for theRoyal College of General Practitioners,both gave eloquent presentations at theUffculme centre, in Moseley, on recoveryand drug and alcohol detoxification.The group also visited Park House, aresidential detox/rehabilitation centre inHockley, whose services are provided byInclusion, Phoenix Futures and MidlandHeart.Dr Nigel Modern, a GP who specialisesin addiction, Marcus Parsons, whomanages Park House, Moira Rothery, aclinical nurse specialist, and FreddieHipkiss from POINTS service user groupall spoke to the delegates about theservice and treatment people receive atthis facility.

Working relationships between alliedagencies were seen to be shiningexamples of partnership in action.Finally the group found out about ourtrust’s Aspire initiative, which trains menand women with history of addiction tobecome recovery coaches and champions.Luke Trainor, Aspire coach co-ordinator,and coaches Dez, Emma, Senan andGopash all shared their stories about theservice and how it helps those in recoveryto help others.

Norwegian visitorsmeet addiction experts

Assembly ofGovernorsThe next meeting of our trust’sAssembly of Governors will take placein November.It will be held at the Uffculme, inQueensbridge Road, Moseley, onNovember 6, between 1.30pm and 4.30pmThis meeting is open to the public.

Nick Maiden and the Norwegian visitors at Uffculme.

15

Governor Spotlight:

Mary JonesPublic governor, Rest of England

Contact details: Mary Jones c/o Foundation trust office, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, B1 – Trust headquarters, 50 Summer Hill Road, Ladywood, Birmingham B1 3RB.Email: contact.governors@bsmhft.nhs.uk Tel: 0121 301 1274

Why did you become a governor of our trust? During my teaching career I worked withfamilies in Birmingham and Solihull whosechildren had special educational needs. Manyof the parents suffered from mental illness,often due to the pressures having a childwith a disability puts on family life. Manyneeded help from a psychologist, to adjust totheir situation. I tried to support them in myrole as teacher/counsellor.

What motivates your interest in mentalhealth and our trust?When I retired in 2008 I became involved ina community research project funded byMIND, investigating Irish women with mentalhealth issues. Their experiences and howthey shared them raised my awareness ofhow people feel about the quality of theservices they receive. I also joined the Catch-A-Fiya group, a forum set up by the AfiyaTrust to motivate and support service usersfrom ethnic minority communities. I hope myrole as a governor will help highlight thebarriers service users face to having realinvolvement in mainstream initiatives – andpossible solutions.

Have your experiences of mental healthhelped you in your role as a trustgovernor? If so, how? Research shows that ethnic minority groupscontinue to be over represented in mentalhealth services. Despite user involvementbeing entrenched in policies, service usersare not convinced of its value in changingtheir life or the way they are treated withinmental health services. As a survivor myself, Ifeel I have a responsibility to provide supportto those who are still vulnerable. There’s agreat need to take the focus away from aperson’s mental health to that individual’srole in the community.

As we are a foundation trust, how doyou plan to communicate with yourconstituency?I want to see a commitment toacknowledging the range of work service

users do in their communities by forginglinks with local groups, going into areas andlooking at what’s happening there. Thiswould strengthen relationships betweencommunities, professionals and serviceusers, while new links may be created ineducation, housing and social inclusion. Theaim would be to see mental health includedin social initiatives, document the work ofvarious groups, celebrate achievements andhighlight areas needing work.

What would you like to see our trustachieve over the next 12 months?I’d like to see more evaluation of service userinvolvement, to record their views and theeffect of their input. This could preventservices and service users making the samemistakes, highlighting good practices andadopting them. Service users can be cynicalabout their involvement as they don’t seetheir views put into action. Evaluating userinvolvement will require services to showchanges are being made.

How do you relax in order to maintainyour own wellbeing?I enjoy walking and gardening, which giveme a sense of achievement. I also go to mylocal gym and attend some classes,including yoga and pilates which are bothfun and great stress relief.

Dates for your diaryOCTOBER1-31 Stoptober smoking cessation campaign.

For more details visitwww.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober

10 CBSO sing-a-long for World MentalHealth Day at the CBSO Centre,Berkley Street, Birmingham. Admissionis free, but places must be booked. See page 4 for more details.

16 Dementia lecturer at the educationcentre, Level 2, Queen ElizabethHospital Birmingham, in Edgbaston.10am to 12.30pm. Free admission.

29 Arts and crafts fair at the Tally Ho!, onPershore Road, Edgbaston, between11am and 3pm. Admission is free.

NOVEMBER6 Assembly of Governors meeting at

Uffculme centre, 52 QueensbridgeRoad, Moseley, between 1.30pm and4.30pm.

7 National Stress Awareness Day.15 Frankfurt Christmas Market returns to

Birmingham. Stalls along New Streetand Victoria Square, open dailybetween 10am to 9pm, until December 22.

19-25 Alcohol Awareness Week

DECEMBER22 Festival of Winter Walks. Blow away the

Christmas cobwebs and go for a walk.Visit www.ramblers.org.uk for moreinformation. Ends January 6, 2013.

Veronica thanksCilantro staffAfter a battle with aneating disorder andexercise addiction lasting15 years, Veronica Fosterdecided to write a bookabout her experiences inthe hope that it would helpother people and raiseawareness. Veronica had previouslybeen an inpatient at oureating disorders unit at theBarberry, but now on the road to recovery shewanted to thank the staff.She visited the Cilantro suite where she gavestaff copies of her book – Exercising the painaway - and a cheque for £200. Veronica took the time to speak to currentinpatients about her experiences, and many ofthe service users said it was encouraging anduplifting to talk to someone who had remainedwell for so long.Veronica is also taking part in a sponsoredwalk on October 6 to raise money for theeating disorders unit. You can buy Veronica’s book, Exercisingthe pain away by visitinghttp://www.exercisingthepainaway.co.uk/

Veronica Foster.

AnagramsBelow are 10 words which are linked tofeatures in this issue of Trust Talk. Can you figure out what they are?

1 TUMNAU2 STAR3 RABERBYR4 ALENHOWEL5 VOCERYER6 PRIMESHBEM7 TANGAPE8 GINGSNI9 LOVERSTUNE10 RIVETISUNY

16

Answers: Autumn, arts, Barberry, Halloween,recovery, membership, pageant, singing,volunteers, university

Word SearchWords to find:

aquarius

awards

celebration

christmas

creative

jamaica

palestine

photography

picnic

tamarind

wellbeing

youthspace

How you can enterPhotos can be colour or black and white images, must not featurepeople and be the photographer’s own work. Digital entries should notbe larger than 4MB. The best entries will receive a £30 gift voucherand be printed in the January issue of Trust Talk. Deadline for entries isFriday, November 30, 2012.

Email digital entries to trust.talk@bsmhft.nhs.uk. If submittinghard copies send them to: Photography Corner, Communicationsdepartment, FREEPOST Plus RRXE-GTKC-GRBZ, BSMHFT, 50 Summer Hill Road, Birmingham, B1 3RB.

PhotographyCorner

Winner: Kerry Harkin, matron, Ashcroft unit, Winson Green, Birmingham –

Boots and flower pots.

Runner-up: Reena Jaisiah, HIllfields, Coventry – Bales of hay at Brinklow,

Warwickshire.

Runner-up: Ayesha Akbar, Ward End, Birmingham – Sun breaks through clouds at

Ward End Park.