Winter 2019

RDaSH leading the way with care

Members editionMembers edition

Welcome to the winter edition of Membership Matters! It’s full of your stories and news which are relevant to you our foundation trust members.

Firstly, I want to extend a warm welcome to four new governors who were elected onto the Council of Governors in our latest round of governor elections. We introduce each of them in this issue. Congratulations everyone.

I am also pleased to announce that Dave Vallance has been appointed as a new Non-Executive Director and Alison Pearson has been successfully re-appointed to her role on the Board of Directors.

In November we celebrated the achievements of our staff, volunteers and partnership working in our annual awards ceremony. We have included some of the pictures from the night in this edition but if you want to see all the photographs and videos please follow the links in the ‘Celebrating success’ article.

Governors and staff have been involved in lots of activities over the past months. Thank you to volunteers Neil and Greig who shared their stories and talked to students from Sheffield Hallam University about their experiences of mental health.

Well done to Staff Governor Colin O’Neil who has managed to climb onto the ‘compleatist’ list for his extraordinary achievement of climbing all 282 Munro Mountains in Scotland.

Our Patient and Public Experience and Engagement team hosted the regional meeting to share best practice and meet staff and carer champions relating to our Triangle of Care work.

2020 is just round the corner and we have included our Council of Governors’ and Listen to Learn Network dates and hope to see you there.

Once again thank you all for the interest that you continue to show in our services.

Kind regards.

Kath ryn .

Kathryn SinghChief Executive

Welcome...from the Chief Executive

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Tis the season to fight flu!Tis the season to fight flu!Tis the season to fight flu!Winter has arrived and the flu season is upon us. We've been busy vaccinating our staff against flu in a bid to reduce the impact of this very serious illness.

If you are in any of the following groups or parents of very young children, it is important that you and/ or your child have the flu vaccine:

• Older people

• The very young

• Pregnant women

• Those with underlying disease, particularly chronic respiratory or cardiac disease

• Those with an immune system which is not able to fight infection.

The flu vaccine is offered free to those in 'at risk' groups. Ask your GP or pharmacist for details.

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Welcome to our new GovernorsThank you to everyone who has taken an interest in our latest round of Governor Elections. We are pleased to announce that the following people have been elected as Governors

Membership Matters

Ruth O’Shea, Doncaster Public Governor, was an NHS staff nurse working in end of life and continuing care setting at Tickhill Road Hospital. She has also worked with the Community Intermediate Care Team at this Trust providing support to patients in their own homes. Ruth has done a range of voluntary work and also contributed to the setting up of a patient and public engagement forum. Ruth also regularly attends the Trust’s engagement events as a carer.

Ruth O'Shea

Gary Hellewell, Mental Health Service User Governor, has a wealth of lived experience of mental health services. He has been involved in several groups with the aim of improving the experiences of other service users. He is also a Patient Research Ambassador and finds this role very rewarding and feels it complements his governor role. He is looking forward to using his experience to benefit other people who use the Trust’s services.

Gary Hellewell

Mohammed Suleman, Rotherham Public Governor, has a keen interest in

this Trust, particularly in mental health services. He has been a carer and

understands some of the challenges in accessing services for black minority

ethnic communities. He has worked across voluntary and community

organisations for 30 years including Voluntary Action Rotherham as the

Chair of the Equality Committee. He was also an Executive Director of a

skills centre for young people.

Mohammed Suleman

Mike Senerviratne, Medical and Pharmacy Staff Governor, has worked with

the Trust for a number of years in various mental health teams. He also has

experience of governance from his time as a trustee of a Sheffield charity.

During his time working in the Trust, Mike has gained a valuable insight

and knowledge of various areas across the Trust. As a governor he looks

forward to meeting more people and using his skills and knowledge to

improve services in the community.

Mike Senerviratne

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Annual Members’ MeetingThank you to everyone who came along to this year’s Annual Members’ Meeting in Rotherham. We provided a look back on the achievements and performance of the Trust during 2018/19. We also highlighted the work of the Council of Governors and presented the Membership report.

This year we welcomed guest speaker poet JB Barrington who recited his powerful poem ‘Another Way’ which is part of Doncaster Council’s campaign to help reduce male suicide. If you’d like to watch the video you can find it via this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQtWXAJug3o

You can read a copy our Annual Report and Accounts 2018/19 on our website www.rdash.nhs.uk

Poet JB Barrington with Cheryl Watkinson, Patient and Public Engagement and Experience Lead/ Membership and Governor Support

Being a governor means … Meet Gary Hellewell, who is one of our newest governors and Eileen Harrington, a governor of nine years; tell us what being a governor means to them.

“Being an RDaSH governor has helped me to connect with other people and be a positive voice for those who use its services.”

Gary Hellewell

“I want to make a difference and to help people who are living with dementia in our communities. Being an RDaSH Governor gives me the opportunity to do that.”

Eileen Harrington

Membership Matters

Keep posted for information about our 2020 electionsVisit https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/about-us/foundation-trust/election-news/

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Update from the Nominations CommitteeThe Council of Governors at their meeting on November 15 received recommendations from its Nominations Committee relating to the appointment and re-appointment of the following non-executive directors:

Governors unanimously approved the appointment of Dave Vallance as Non-Executive Director for an initial term of three years with effect from December 12. Dave brings a wealth of experience in the field of human resources (HR). He was most recently the HR Director of Global Brands at Walgreens Boots Alliance.

The Council of Governors supported and approved the re-appointment of Alison Pearson, current Non-Executive Director for a further term of office which will run to 30 September 2021. Alison will continue to be Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director of the Trust.

Alan Lockhart, Chairman said: “I want to take this opportunity to welcome Dave to the Board of Directors and look forward to working with him. I am delighted that Alison will be continuing in her role at the Trust. Once again thank you to the governors for their diligence and engagement throughout the two processes.”

Membership Matters

Dave Vallance Alison Pearson

Do you have an interest in patient and public engagement?

Would you like to join us in delivering our Patient and Public Engagement and Experience strategy (PPEE)?

Why not join our Listen to Learn Network?

Our Listen to Learn Network events are an opportunity to contribute to the Trust’s PPEE activities. Patients, carers and staff will be invited to tell us about how they have been involved in some of this work.

There will also be an opportunity to view examples of good practice in our ‘marketplace’ and see for yourself the work currently being done or planned for delivering the PPEE strategy.

As a network member you can make contact with those responsible for delivering the strategy and express your interest in getting involved in specific pieces of work.

This is a very exciting time and a great opportunity for us to work together in 2020.

• Thursday 23 January from 10.30am to 1pm, Carlton Park Hotel, 102-104 Moorgte Road, Rotherham S60 2BG

• Wednesday 20 April from 1 to 3.30pm, Legacy Centre, Unit 12 Shaw Wood Way, Doncaster, DN2 5TB

• Thursday 23 July from 1 to 3.30pm, New Life Church, Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe, DN17 1AB

• Tuesday 20 October from 1 to 3.30pm, Legacy Centre, Unit 12 Shaw Wood Way, Doncaster, DN2 5TB.

Listen to Learn Network meetings in 2020Listen to Learn Network meetings in 2020Listen to Learn Network meetings in 2020

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Membership Matters

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Membership MattersCouncil of Governors meetings 2020Come along and see your governors in action at the Council of Governors’ meetings.

Governors meet in public and meetings last about three hours. There’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions.

Interested? Here are the dates for next year’s meetings:

Wednesday 12 February

9.30am

Holiday Inn Rotherham Sheffield, M1 Junction 33, West Bawtry Road,

RotherhamS60 2X4

Wednesday 6 May

1.30pm

Castle Park, Armthorpe Road,

Doncaster, DN2 5QB

Wednesday 12 August

4pm

Glanford Park, Jack Brownsword Way, Scunthorpe

DN15 8TD

Wednesday 12 November

1pm

Castle Park, Armthorpe Road,

Doncaster, DN2 5QB

Keeping you in touch by email, Twitter and facebookTo receive an electronic version of this magazine and other relevant news please send us your name and email address to rdash.involvement@nhs.net or contact the Membership Office on 01302 798135.

Follow us on Twitter @RDaSH_NHS and find us on facebook for all our news and other interesting updates.

Membership Matters

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RDaSH High Notes ChoirRDaSH High Notes Choir

If you are living with memory problems and are a resident of Doncaster, or if you are a carer for someone living with dementia, RDaSH can support you and your family to enhance your leisure time.

Fancy joining? Then telephone 01302 796138 or 01302 796066

Patient and Public Engagement and Experience ‘Big Conversation’ Digital HubThis year, the Trust launched The RDaSH Way, which is our approach to improving quality and culture.

That’s where you come in! We invite you, our patients, services users, carers, foundation trust members, governors and wider local communities to be part of the journey with us.

See what’s happening on the Big Conversation hub

We’re delighted to announce that the new hub, called The Big Conversation, is a unique opportunity to get involved and have your say on things from patient care to carer and family involvement. We invite you to the Big Conversations for you to read existing posts, or to comment and post your own thoughts and ideas on topics like these:

• Carers Corner a space for carers and carer champions to suggest improvements

• Volunteering opportunities

• What’s Your Story? a space for patients to share post-treatment stories

• Poetry Corner poetry from our service users

• An area dedicated to our foundation trust members and governors

• News and fab ideas from our partners

• Suggestions for Big Conversation topics.

…and that’s just the beginning. Take a look, there’s a lot going on already!

You can register todayhttps://engagement.rdash.nhs.uk/user/signinform/?returnTo=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbmdhZ2VtZW50LnJkYXNoLm5ocy51ay8=

If you have any questions or would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Patient and Public Engagement and Experience Hub on 01302 798135 or email rdash.involvement@nhs.net

Huge successWe hosted the regional Triangle of Care meeting on September 16.

Leads from across the region travelled to Doncaster to share best practice and meet our staff and carer champions.

The Triangle of Care encompasses all areas of the Trust. It celebrates the awareness of carers’ needs and identifies ways of improving engagement between professionals and carers. To know more about how the Triangle of Care can help you please go to our Patient and Public Experience and Engagement Hub https://engagement.rdash.nhs.uk/

You can contact the Patient and Public Experience and Engagement Team on 01302 798135 or email rdash.involvement@nhs.net

Membership Matters

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Charitable funds boost at WoodlandsPatients and staff at The Woodlands unit in Rotherham can now take a well-earned rest in the sunshine, thanks to £130 from our Charitable Funds and a £270 donation from the staff in memory of Janette Allen, who sadly recently passed away.

The money has gone towards purchasing a bench and engraved plaque to remember Janette which will be installed in The Glade Ward’s garden.

Tracy Crompton, who works at The Woodlands, said: “It’s fantastic that donations to the RDaSH Charitable Funds have bought this bench. Patients, carers, loved ones and staff can now sit outside and enjoy the air and our lovely gardens.”

Want to donate to our Charitable Funds? Simply visit http://bit.ly/2b6ekBd

We celebrated the achievements of our staff and volunteers at an awards ceremony on November 27.

The event recognised the fabulous stuff that staff and volunteers do every single day to support and improve the lives of the people we care for.

We received over 300 entries from staff, patients, carers and the public for a range of award categories.

Celebrating success at Annual Awards

Chairman’s award...

Winner: Naomi Handley-Ward, from Project 3, Children’s, Doncaster with Alan Lockwood, Trust Chairman

Winners: Glyn Butcher (centre) from People Focused Group and Paula Thompson, Doncaster (third left), with Kathryn Singh, Chief Executive (left)

Want to see who was shortlisted in this year’s RDaSHWay awards? Then visit our You Tube channel at the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2_RtUzQeufO6SLGdZ0d9aFVniUkz8P_v

Here’s a short film from the night which we hope you like https://youtu.be/jxLeKn5v5Gs

You can see all the photos of the winners and runners up

https://www.facebook.com/pg/nhsrdash/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1487060454765444

All of our videos from the night are here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZYJEya160Vr5sbxcNnw5Lg/

Chief Executive award...

Awards matter

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Celebrating success at Annual Awards

Volunteering Matters

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Fancy volunteering? We want to hear from you!We’re on the hunt for volunteers who can support patients in Scunthorpe for an hour or so each week or fortnight.

Volunteers are needed to support baking, crafts, gardening and musical activities, including dancing. If you have the skills or can get people up on their feet to join in an activity, we’d love to hear from you.

Carol Bowyer, Voluntary Services Manager, said:” Are you considering a career in Mental Health Services and would like to gain some work experience? If so, this would be an excellent opportunity for you. Or do you have spare time and would like to volunteer with our patients. If so, we’d love to see you! We’ve a number of volunteering roles available.”

Carol was joined by Jane Sayner, Senior Occupational Therapist, and met would-be volunteers at Great Oaks in July.

Anyone who’d like more information can email rdash.involvement@nhs.net

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Six-year-old wants to make others betterA Doncaster six-year-old, who has been poorly since she was five-weeks-old, has pledged to become a nurse when she grows up to help make other people better and now she’s encouraging others to think about nursing as a career.

Little Nahla Walker has been in and out of hospital since she was born and was soon diagnosed to have scarring on her lungs. She has treatment through a port-a-cath which is used to give her medication. This means she regularly sees a nurse from our Trust to ensure her port-a-cath is ok.

Nahla told her community nurses Joanne Leivesley and Helen Drury of her wish to be a nurse when she’s older and by magic, they turned her into one overnight. For the nurses from our children’s services arranged for a mini-uniform to be made – so she could dress just like them.

Now Nahla proudly wears her community nurse T-shirt and special name badge which says she is ‘a nurse in training.’

Mum Zoe said: “Nahla loves her nurses and says she wants

to be just like them when she’s older as she wants to make other people better, just like they make Nahla feel better.” Christina Harrison, Director, who oversees the children’s services, said: “Our nurses are fabulous and it shows how well they do their jobs – they clearly inspire our young patients to be just like them! We can’t wait to welcome Nahla into our employment…although she will have to wait at least 12 years.”

Keep a look out to see Nahla in a short video clip and she will feature on social media to encourage local residents to think about nursing as a career.

You can awatch Nahla’s video here: https://youtu.be/lPGtpkjACGo

If you know someone looking for a NHS job tell them to visit https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/about-us/work-with-us/or call 01302 796272.

Nahla is pictured in her community nurse T-shirt.

Recruitment matters

Call our new recruitment hotline

✆ 01302 796272