“Outstanding Contribution Award” for Powys mental health reps

Jamie Burt (chair of PAVO trustees), Clair Swales (PAVO Chief Executive Officer),
Sarah Dale (Mental Health rep) & Tom Jones OBE (High Sheriff of Powys)

Owen Griffkin (Participation Officer) and Sarah Dale (Mental Health Representative) share their experiences of the recent 

Powys Volunteer of the Year Awards night.

The annual event is organised by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations.

Owen Griffkin

The Powys Volunteer of The Year Awards is a wonderful way to celebrate all the volunteers in Powys who help to improve their communities and I was, therefore, really pleased to hear that the mental health service user and carer representatives had been nominated for this year's awards.

I attended the awards ceremony with Sarah Dale and our newest rep, Sally Houghton-Wilson, at the Elephant and Castle in Newtown.

My role is to support the reps to make sure they have everything they need for meetings, for example - agendas, travel etc. Because of this I see first-hand the work they do, and am constantly amazed by the dedication, bravery and hard work displayed by the reps. This was highlighted by the fact that one of the reps, John Lilley, couldn’t attend the awards ceremony as he was in Carmarthen at a national meeting!

It was a pleasure to see other groups and individuals who contribute so much to improving wellbeing in Powys receive awards. For example, Mums Matter Peer Support service, Cherilee from Ponthafren and Richard from Brecon & District Mind. There were also some really inspiring young people like the Junior Startwell Board who received well-deserved awards.

Mums Matter Peer Support Service receive the
Excellence in Health & Wellbeing group award

Then, after a delicious meal and a superb performance from two local performers who had entertained audiences in starring roles in West End productions, it was time for the Outstanding Contribution award. Sarah was really nervous in anticipation of the announcement but there was no need to be as the name on the envelope was read out - The Mental Health Service User and Carer Reps.

Sarah went up to collect the award, posed for some photos and then sat back down, grinning from ear-to-ear. Seeing how important the recognition was to Sarah made my night and I hurriedly sent texts to the other reps with photos and congratulations.

So once again to all the people who have been there to give service users and carers a voice - we all salute you and thank you!

You can read below what winning the award meant to Sarah and more about their roles.

Sally Houghton-Wilson (Carer rep), Owen Griffkin (PAVO Participation Officer)

and Sarah Dale (Mental Health rep)

Sarah Dale

Winning the Outstanding Contribution award means so much. As mental health service user and carer reps we are only required to attend the planning and development partnership board four times a year. But all of us do much more than this basic requirement. Myself and the other reps - John, Sally, Rhydian (and others like Hayley and Jane who have been involved recently) also attend the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum, Engage to Change, Talk to me 2 Group, and Powys Crisis Care Forum. We also meet patients at the Felindre ward at Bronllys Hospital every month to collect feedback, and report to the health board, to improve patience experience.

As reps we are asked to join working groups to help develop services to make sure they are fit for purpose, looking at specific areas such as the NHS111 Press 2 (due to launch in Powys soon) and complex trauma services.

We also go out to organisations and community groups to talk to people at ‘Meet the Rep’ events to gather experiences on services and directly discuss these issues with the service managers for mental health.

Sarah receives the Outstanding Contribution award on behalf of the reps
from Clair Swales, CEO PAVO

Recently myself and John Lilley have been voted in as the chair and vice chair of the Engage to Change sub-group which is a really productive meeting held with staff from all organisations who play a part in services. It is more responsibility and work but we also get to shape the discussion and give people a voice.

I have also led self-injury awareness sessions which have been attended by people from all over Powys and I have to reflect on and share some very triggering memories for me, but I do this because I want to help others who may be going through the same experiences. If I can tell people what could have made my experience better then they can make sure that others are treated with more empathy and compassion in the future. This is what drives us all as reps.

We do our utmost to champion the voices of those we represent, to ensure services are fit for purpose and the service user voice is heard loud and clear (I do have a loud voice!). People often forget that what we do is voluntary and that some of us are still receiving treatment for our mental health or caring for someone with a mental health condition. Because change takes time this can be exhausting and frustrating. So being recognised for everything we do with this award means so much that I can’t put it into words.

"The award has pride of place on my mantelpiece for now, until I pass it 

on to one of the other reps for them to keep." 

Find out more about becoming a Mental Health Rep in Powys.

The Powys Volunteer of the Year Awards is held annually by PAVO as part of the work 

of Powys Volunteer Centre. The awards recognise the commitment and value of volunteers across the County. If you feel inspired to volunteer, please get in touch with us:

volunteering@pavo.org.uk or 01597 822191 

Watch this space for our next annual awards and the opportunity to nominate a volunteer or group of volunteers who have made a difference to you!

Small Steps at Rekindle - Three Stories

Recovery Practitioner Kemal with a local police officer outside the Newtown centre

John Scott is the chairman of the mental health charity Rekindle in Newtown. At a recent fundraising concert for the charity, which supports young people aged 16 to 25 who are struggling with mental distress, he said:

“The trustees and staff know from experience that early intervention can help many of these young people avoid or recover from the social dislocation that can result from mental illness.

There are more than 110 active clients, and they are referred by all the various agencies in Newtown. There are two full time recovery practitioners (Diane Williams and Kemal Keeble), one of whom is a qualified mental health nurse, and two regular volunteers. They operate from converted shop premises in the centre of Newtown, which makes them accessible to this client group.

Diane (left) with a client

The stories here are examples of what can be done, and there are many more similar ones. The right help at the right time can stop these young people from a possibly irreversible descent into self-destructive behaviour. It is wonderful to see young people starting to enjoy their lives again.”

Jess Foster

At the age of 18 I was living in a homeless hostel and felt there was no use in living any more. I struggled with the pressures of sixth form and trying to earn a living so attempted suicide multiple times. Initially I was under the care of adult services but didn’t feel as though I actually mattered to them and was made to feel as though my problems weren’t bad enough.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Diane at Small Steps and I was finally on the road to recovery. I was given all the time I needed, whether it be for just a chat or to help me better my life. Feeling like I mattered and being listened to changed my life around.

I stopped self-harming, returned to sixth form, applied for university with Diane’s help and even began caring about my own wellbeing again. When I got my place at university Diane got me a grant so that I was able to buy everything I needed and to any other person I would then look like a typical student, not someone who had just been homeless. I am now graduating this summer, have a job and strong friendships. My life is now at a good point and it’s thanks to all the help and mentorship I had from Diane and Small Steps.

Megan Tudor

My name is Megan Tudor and I am an associate trustee for Rekindle's Small Steps Project. I began as a client of the project when abuse was identified in my family home. I had to leave home and faced the difficulty of finding a roof over my head. Diane and Kemal worked tirelessly to help me and although they came across many difficulties they never gave up on me. I was in a very dark place and tried to end my life on a daily basis; I couldn't find a reason to carry on. I went from living in a horrific environment to only having the clothes on my back and no roof over my head. I was also suffering from an eating disorder and refused to eat or drink anything.

The Small Steps Project was the only organisation that recognised there was abuse and actually listened. I had seen Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), 16+ team, social workers and spent a year in a psychiatric hospital and none of them listened to what I was saying. Diane and Kemal let me have as much time as I needed and listened to every word I said and actually did something about it. I was supported on a daily basis to stay alive on top of trying to find stable accommodation.

I was supported by the Small Steps Project to find a reason to live, gain tools to cope and to slowly overcome my eating disorder. They helped me to get back into education and I finally started to feel like I was breaking free from the chains that held me back for so many years. I was no longer walking down the narrow lonely corridors of hospitals or dancing with my demons. I am now living my dream, halfway through my qualification, working part time and offering support to the other clients of the Small Steps Project.

Sam Morgan

I was 16 when I first came to Small Steps. I was living with the fact I had quite a bad temper but didn’t want to admit to it. I didn’t want to feel ashamed. It got to the point where I got pretty hard to live with, my anger was getting worse and simple things would set it off. It got to the point where shouting turned into me deliberately hitting anything hard, just to try and feel something other than anger. I was also damaging my hands. My parents and I realised I couldn’t go on doing what I was doing, so I got in touch with Small Steps.

It took a long time for me to understand that I was adjusting from being a young person being told “what to do” and the new pressures of having to make decisions about life. “Who I want to become” and “what I want to achieve”. Small Steps helped me with this, it was the first time I had someone who I could speak to and someone who understood how I was feeling.

I felt I only had the one overwhelming emotion which was anger. I was always waiting to be challenged and at the first hurdle I would usually just lash out! Over time it become apparent that there was more to life than just this feeling of anger. Things changed for me and now I saw things differently; I could stand back and assess the moment and realise that anger was not the correct response. All of this was only really possible because of the continued support I received from the Small Steps Project.

I am in a different place today. I think more positively about what I would like to achieve. I am now 19 years old and aspiring to be a Royal Marine commando, which is a completely opposite mind-set. My mental and physical toughness has developed through training. I understand how to take care of my body and wellbeing. My relationship with parents is very different today, we are able to talk about things more openly and have become closer as a family. I realise now how I have a lot more to give in life and that it all starts with you allowing these changes to happen.

Jess and Sam's stories also feature in this short video about the Small Steps Project:

Find out more about the work of Rekindle and its Small Steps Project on the organisation’s website. The charity is funded by charitable trusts, local groups, businesses and individual donations. If you can help in any way you can contact the charity by emailing: help@rekindle.org.uk or ring 01686 722222.

Sarah Napper with Diane

Stop press: Rekindle volunteer Sarah Napper was recently nominated for the Powys Volunteer of the Year Award 2018 and reached the shortlist. Sarah has been volunteering for three and a half years and her role involves welcoming clients and professionals to the project. She does this despite having her own bipolar diagnosis. Sarah is around the same age as those seeking help so she has a special empathy and understanding of their problems and is a good listener. Diane said: "Sarah promotes and empowers young people to believe they can achieve anything in life despite any obstacles that come their way."

Bev Clarke - award-winning volunteer counsellor Ystradgynlais Mind

Bev receiving her Outstanding Contribution Award from the
High Sheriff of Powys, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Lewis DL

Bev Clarke has been volunteering at Ystradgynlais Mind for the past 4 years as a Level 6 counsellor / supervisor, enabling the mental health charity to provide a free counselling service to the community. She volunteers 3 days a week. She has enabled the recruitment of 7 further student counsellors, who benefit from her supervision and guidance. Her input both into clients and students is life changing.

In October 2015 Bev was winner of an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Powys Volunteer of the Year Awards. Her nominator said: “Bev has experienced her own difficulties throughout her life and she demonstrates you can overcome anything and give so much to the community despite those difficulties. She inspires all at Ystradgynlais and is loved and respected.”

Carol Stephens, Chief Executive at Ystradgynlais Mind, said: “We are thrilled about Bev's award, it is so well deserved. She's a diamond.”

We talked to Bev to find out more about her invaluable contribution at Ystradgynlais Mind.

What originally motivated you to start volunteering at Ystradgynlais Mind?

I graduated from the University of South Wales at Pontypridd in 2009 (Bachelor of Science (BSc) Hons, Systemic Counselling) and was looking for a counselling placement. I needed 450 hours of supervised counselling for my accreditation. I have 1050 now, 800 of these from counselling sessions at Ystradgynlais Mind.

I first came over to Ystradgynlais looking for plants and saw that there was a Mind centre here. I set up my own counselling practice in Port Talbot with a friend from university and volunteered my services to Ystrad Mind. Carol interviewed me and it went really well. She said – can you start next Wednesday?!

I have bipolar and Carol said “we’re looking for people like you”. It’s been a wonderful experience. I didn’t have to hide my mental health issues, it was like the start of a new beginning.

Carol and I share the same vision – which is to do the best for our clients and also to provide good packages for our student counsellors.

Tell us more about your role as a counsellor at Ystradgynlais Mind

A lot of men come to us for counselling which is unusual. It stands out at about 55%. They have moderate issues as they almost leave it too late to seek help. Women are not afraid to access the service, so their issues are often mild to moderate.

Most of our clients are middle-aged – in their 40s and 50s, with various issues. Often they might be waiting for treatment from the statutory mental health teams so they seek support from the voluntary sector instead. They usually have about 7 – 8 one hour counselling sessions, weekly or fortnightly depending on the complexity of the issues.

How does counselling make people’s lives better?

It is a forum where people can be heard. They take their issues away from their families and share them with someone else who is prepared to listen. They have more clarity with the help of a counsellor and so see things that they couldn’t before.

Who is eligible to receive the counselling service, and for how long can they access support?

The service is available to people 17 +. They can self-refer – some people walk in off the street - or they are referred by the GPs in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board cluster area.

If your role didn’t exist, what would happen to people who needed support with their mental health in Ystradgynlais and district?

I’ve seen mental health care decrease unbelievably in the past 4 – 5 years. There is no help there for people. Mental health isn’t a “sexy” health condition, so there is no investment or focus as with other ailments. It feels as if mental health is the poor relation. This is really obvious when working in the Third Sector.

Tell us more about your work supporting 7 student counsellors

I provide support for them, which includes 1½ hour supervision once a month where we’ll talk about the issues that have been raised with clients and signposting options for people. I also make sure that the counsellors are safe, and don’t take home any issues that could impact on their lives.

We source new student counsellors when we need them from the universities. The students are supposed to complete 100 hours of supervised counselling here, but some have already done 300. We give them an excellent level of support, their insurance is covered and they enjoy the experience here so they stay.

I believe you also provide counselling for GP patients in a neighbouring health board?

Our counselling services have now been taken on by GPs in the Ponterdawe and Neath Valley area so it has been well worth it.

Tell us some of the hardest things about being a volunteer counsellor

Watching how hard it is for those working and volunteering in the Third Sector to apply for grants and funding just to make ends meet. I’m here 2 – 3 days a week, but Carol is here for 5. I know how hard she works and how little she takes. I’ve got a bigger picture as a volunteer.

What is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering at Ystradgynlais Mind?

To see how the clients improve. And most of them give back – for example they give talks on their own mental health which is so enlightening for the student counsellors. It’s great the way that they find it good to say what they’ve been through. Clients also feedback to counsellors in supervision sessions.

What was it like winning the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Powys Volunteer of the Awards ceremony?

Well, at the end when I knew it was me who had won – my first thought was – don’t fall down the steps! There were fifty to get down!

I’m so proud of myself. My daughter was with me and she said – “you’ve set the bar even higher now!” To hear the words Carol had written when she put me forward for the award was wonderful.

The narrative of my own mental health issues was a guilty secret for so many years, it is almost a relief to talk about it now.

It was just a wonderful experience.

What would you say to encourage other people to volunteer to support people experiencing mental distress?

Don’t be afraid. We seek help from a psychiatrist in the same way as someone who is diabetic would go to a medical ward. It’s not like “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. We’re working with wonderful people who just have unfortunate mental health issues.

I have enjoyed every minute that I’ve given to Ystradgynlais Mind.

Many thanks to Bev for telling us about her role at Ystradgynlais Mind. You can contact the charity by emailing info@minditv.org.uk or ringing 01597 824411, or visit the Ystradgynlais Mind website.

You can read more about the Powys Volunteer of the Year Awards on the PAVO website.
Outstanding Contribution category: These awards are in recognition of the outstanding contribution and commitment made to voluntary activity. The volunteering undertaken is selfless, a response to local need coming out of the community and is carried out willingly.

The Judges’ Panel was made up of PAVO trustees - Gloria Jones Powell, Ian Charlesworth and Keith Rollinson. The panel felt that Bev stood out because of:

• Her willingness to support others achieve their goals.
• She has overcome huge personal adversity in order to help others.
• Her unyielding commitment to the organisation she volunteers for.
• The difference she has made to the organisation on many levels.
• The difference she has made to the local community.

Claire Sterry, County Development Officer for PAVO, who helped organised the 2015 awards, said: “Bev is truly inspiring, it was an honour to meet her - she is a very special lady, and so unassuming!”

Volunteering at Mid Powys Mind

Today Philip Moisson tells us about his experience volunteering at the mental health charity Mid Powys Mind, based in Llandrindod Wells in the heart of rural Powys.

"Of the many organisations that I have worked for over the years the place where I have made the deepest connections with other people has undoubtedly been whilst volunteering at Mid Powys Mind in Llandrindod Wells.

For the past ten months I have been a regular helper in the Art Cafe – which for those of you who have not visited yet combines unique local arts and crafts with a relaxed and homely experience centred around hot drinks and homemade cakes. There are ten or so volunteers currently involved in the Art Cafe and we cover Monday to Friday between us.

The building which Mind uses hosts a drop-in centre for members, the Art Cafe which is open to the public, rooms for groups to meet above the cafe and also spaces for counselling and therapy to take place. There are also a few small offices up another flight of stairs.

As a member and a volunteer I am able to have a hot meal at lunchtime, usually with other people at the drop-in centre. Alongside the Art Cafe there was the chance to try a couple of other voluntary roles around the building, and I can genuinely say that I have looked forward to coming in to help almost every day I have been involved.

Over time I have found out about other opportunities nearby by speaking to other members, other volunteers and of course, paid staff. A few of us have spent quite a bit of time being involved in a Time to Change Wales project (further details on the free Creative Writing sessions can be found here!).

Of all the perks of being involved with a charity, training has to rank quite highly. Some of us have been on the Mental Health First Aid course and a physical First Aid course too. Usually I have a good idea what is going on in terms of the range of courses, services and events which Mid Powys Mind is able to facilitate - in no small part because I update the Facebook page.

Of course, no organisation in the broad mental health sector is immune from the pressures stemming from cuts or from the blunt realities that some of us may refer to in polite or abstract terms through well-meaning debates and arguments. The town, Llandrindod Wells, for all its nearby scenic charm, struggles to offer much in the way of employment opportunity - and that’s whether you have a known mental health concern or not.

However, in terms of focussing on positive outcomes whenever possible, finding a place within reach where people regularly share lived experience with one another has been the most important feature in my own personal journey so far. This will now hopefully involve going forward from a point in the past where I struggled on strong medication with no meaningful support in place, to a position where I am able to live medication free and can fully consider life choices once again."

If you would like to read more of Philip's writings, you can take a look at his own blog, Knowledge of Dark Matters.

Or, if you would like to share your mental health volunteering experience with a wider readership via this blog, and you are based in Powys, then please get in touch.

You can find out more about Mid Powys Mind here.  And congratulations to all those involved in the Art Cafe which was awarded the Group award at the Powys Volunteer of the Year Award recently.