Mental Health and the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust

This week’s guest post is from Isobel Jones, who works for the Patient Experience and Community Involvement team for the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. I first met Isobel at a Welshpool meeting of the Stand up! For emotional health and wellbeing project run by our team where she introduced us to her work. I caught up with Isobel lately and asked her if she would tell us more about her role for the blog. 

What led you to this particular role at Welsh Ambulance Service Trust? 

I come from a Social Care background, and have also worked in the Third Sector, however, throughout my various roles I realised that I was becoming more and more interested in engagement. Involving people in shaping the services they receive can only help develop better services. It just makes so much sense. 

In some of my past roles I had been asked to undertake some projects which had enabled people to be involved in the planning and development of the services they received and I found these projects very insightful and interesting.

I followed this idea further by attending training courses which explored effective participation and engagement skills, and they gave me the tools and techniques to do this.

When the job was advertised within the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Patient Experience and Community Involvement Team I was excited as this was just where I could see myself. I hadn’t looked at it from a Health perspective before so I knew this would be a new challenge.

How do you educate patients and the public about the services provided by the Trust?

We have an extensive engagement model, which allows us to reach different groups and communities. We use our partners in the Health Boards, statutory, third sector and other community links to be able to engage with different people who may have used our broad range of services. It is important to go where people are. We’ll also host information stands at a range of events across Wales that helps us to talk to local people.

We then arrange to go out to meet people in these different groups and talk about our services, which includes awareness about how we respond to and prioritise 999 calls. It is important when we visit groups that we listen to people’s experiences and their stories, and encourage people to give us their feedback.

We make people aware of how they can ‘Choose Well’, by accessing a range of health services available from GP, Out of Hours, Pharmacies, A&E Units and Minor Injury Units. We also talk about self-care, and using services such as NHS Direct Wales for telephone and online advice.

My work involves engaging with mental health groups, older people and people living with dementia. I have also visited learning disability groups, schools, groups with specialist health needs like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and other respiratory conditions, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and various Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups.

We have a continuous engagement model which gives me the opportunity to visit groups again and again, building up trust and encouraging people to stay involved with us as a service as their contribution is so important. 

I was also given the opportunity to train as a Community First Responder for WAST which I completed in March last year. With this training I am equipped to provide awareness sessions for community groups about how to undertake emergency first aid to support saving a person’s life, by learning in basic steps what we all can do to help someone when they face a life threatening emergency like a cardiac arrest, how to use a defibrillator, what to do if someone is choking, or needs to be placed into the recovery position until the ambulance arrives.

If someone being transported by WAST is experiencing mental distress, what support is provided by staff?

All our staff should support such a person with the utmost of dignity and respect, recognising that whilst with physical health conditions these are often visible, not all health conditions are visible, especially mental health and wellbeing.

Our staff will have followed any assessments of need that are in place for mental health, including local pathways which are in place which have been agreed in partnership with local services.

WAST Staff are currently going through a training programme focusing on mental health.

What kind of training do Trust staff have to help them support someone in mental health crisis?

The new WAST Mental Health Strategy which has recently been formed is very clear that there needs to be more training for our staff on the needs of people who experience mental ill health, and for our staff to be more aware of how to treat people who call 999 in crisis. This has come out of the fact that staff have acknowledged there is a need for this, to benefit people with mental health needs.

Tell us more about the Trust’s Mental Health Improvement Plan

People who access mental health services have told us that these things are important:

• Don’t ‘generalise’ mental illness. 
• Consider my communication needs.
• To be seen as a human being.
• Need calming, understanding and polite approach for people experiencing panic. 
• To be respected and treated equally. 
• Be listened to and believed. 
• Listen to carers as well as the person needing medical attention. 
• Staff need knowledge and awareness of mental health issues. 

Our staff have told us:

• We need a “better process for responding to patients in crisis.” 
• We need “up to date evidenced based training.” 
• We need “better links with crisis teams.” 
• There are “inconsistent pathways across Wales.” 
• There is a “variance of support across the localities.” 
• There is a “lack of suitable alternatives to A&E.” 

Our staff need support on how to maintain their own mental health, how to prevent stress and sleep problems, ensure good nutrition avoid substance misuse, etc.

Because of this, these are the priorities we have set for our plan:

Priority 1: Putting you at the centre

• Everybody is different and has different unique needs and experiences of mental health at different ages. 
• Specific work needs to be done around children and young people’s needs. 
• Think about the needs of people with dementia and of people with fluctuating mental capacity. 
• Supporting those who are at risk of suicide and self-harm. 
• Caring for those who may misuse substances. 

Priority 2: Training, awareness and skills for Welsh Ambulance staff

• What do our staff need to know about mental health in terms of training, attitude and approach? 
• Understanding people’s unique mental health needs (and the spectrum of mental health disorders).

Priority 3: Working better with other professionals

• Working better with GPs, hospitals, local community support services, Health Boards, carers, family, social services. 
• Working with trained mental health practitioners to support our frontline teams.
• Developing alternative pathways for people experiencing mental distress. 
• The purpose of these pathways is to make sure you are seen by the right person at the right time. 
• Where possible get appropriate help in the community, rather than a hospital setting. 
• Only considering hospital settings if physical health is at risk.

Priority 4: Caring for the wellbeing of our staff

• Putting support systems in place.
• Having mental health advocates. 
• Helping staff cope after traumatic incidents.

For our staff we need to maintain optimum mental health, sleep, exercise, nutrition, management of alcohol intake, etc.

Priority 5: Dealing with challenging situations

If an ambulance staff member is facing violence in an extreme situation, we will assess the risk and decide when it is appropriate to restrain someone to keep them and staff safe.

Priority 6: Giving necessary guidance and support to teams

• We have people within Welsh Ambulance Service who lead our mental health work. 
• We need to make sure staff are supported and have the right supervision to develop knowledge and skills about mental health.
• This is for the benefit of all people who access mental health services as well as to support Welsh Ambulance Services staff.

Which other organisations do you work closely with in Powys to provide support to people? 

So far, I have only worked with ‘Stand up! For emotional health and wellbeing’ in Welshpool. I would love the opportunity to network with and meet other groups in Powys so please get in touch!

We have visited many groups that support individuals with mental health and wellbeing concerns across Wales, but we would like more opportunities to speak to people in Powys. Have you used our services and would you like to give us feedback?

We would also appreciate your help to enable us to further develop our services as part of our Mental Health Improvement Plan. If you or your group / organisation are happy to receive a visit or take part in a focus group, please contact me (details below). Your views and experiences are important to us to help shape the way we work and how we support people.

What is the most challenging aspect of the job?

Sometimes it is the amount of travelling, as I travel all across Wales!

But in the main, it is making sure I listen carefully to what people tell me, and make sure I understand what is important to them. The challenge then is to make sure that voices are heard within the organisation in such a way that can make a real difference to the way we do things in the future.

To do this effectively it is very important to be a very open, friendly person, showing kindness and respect for any person who wishes to talk with you. I feel I need to show in my face and my body language that integrity is important, and that I can be trusted.

Sometimes people are angry and hurt, for good reasons, by their experiences.

I know they are not taking this out on me personally, it is important to understand why people say what they say, in the way they may say it. It is important for me to convey in a calming manner, acceptance and acknowledgement of how people are feeling and for people’s hurt feelings to be validated. 

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at WAST

Over the last year I engaged with a wide range of groups across Wales who supporting people experiencing mental health issues from many backgrounds.

Whilst most people reported positive experiences of having used emergency ambulances and non-emergency services, their suggestions were both insightful and helpful, as were the thoughts and observations from support workers and other professionals. 

I was given the opportunity in July 2017 to attend the WAST Trust Board and provide feedback on all of the engagement work I have undertaken with mental health groups and organisations across Wales. This presentation was well received by executive leads and managers in WAST. I was able to convey thanks to all the individuals with mental health concerns, organisations and staff who have shared their (sometimes very painful) stories with me. This opportunity allowed all of these voices to be heard, which contributes toward improving outcomes for people who use our services.

Another piece of work I found really rewarding was with people from the learning disability community where I was involved in setting up a drama group. This was a group of individuals in Caerphilly who worked in partnership with us to use drama to understand some of the barriers they experience when they ring 999 for an ambulance. During a celebration event in Blackwood, the drama group, which consisted of people with learning disabilities, showcased scenarios with real live call handlers, paramedics and community first responders.

What is the most valuable thing you have learnt since starting your role?

I am always totally humbled when people I have only recently met open their heart with sometimes very painful stories to me. I always try to do my best to do justice to what people tell me, so that it really makes a difference. We want to listen to people’s stories and experiences of using our services, and to capture feedback from people to improve our services.

Also since I trained as a community first responder volunteer myself back in March last year going on an emergency ambulance ride out with a crew from Hawthorn Ambulance Station to observe the experts in full flow to help consolidate my training has also formed part of my continuing journey… The day progressed with themes of falls coming up at least twice, sepsis also twice, breathing difficulties and presenting chest pains which may have been related to post traumatic anxiety, stress or other mental health concern. There was a lot to be learned about the needs of carers as well. What if they themselves need medical treatment and to be admitted but they are worrying about what will then happen to loved ones they care for, who may have dementia, a mental health condition, a physical or a learning disability, or in fact any combination of these? Colleagues shared with us about these dilemmas, as sometimes it is not just about the patient, but it was about their family as well.

When you are not working for WAST, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I love cooking, especially making jams, marmalade, herb jellies and chutneys. I gift wrap these and give them as presents. I also sell them to raise funds for charities.

I love walking and the outside world, animals, wildflowers, plants and nature, and especially my garden where I collect and grow loads of plants, shrubs, flowers and herbs. These interests often inspire me to paint watercolour pictures, play the guitar, write, sing and perform songs and poems. So this is just a little bit about me!

Many thanks to Isobel for telling us all about her role. You can contact her by ringing: 01792 776252 Ext. 45444 or emailing: isobel.jones@wales.nhs.uk

Taking pride in diversity

by Anne Woods, Participation Officer

For the last three years I’ve volunteered in various ways at the Pride event in London. I was born in London and spent a large part of my life there and so it’s a good opportunity to head back and get involved. After a stint as a senior steward in Soho, managing a team of people to look after the public, I fancied being closer to the parade – a colourful, joyous march through the streets of London: a celebration of the freedom to be whoever you want to be. So in 2015, in the first year of the programme, I volunteered to be an official flag bearer, carrying the Cuban flag along with flagbearers representing countries from around the world at the head of the parade.

Embed from Getty Images

Anne, far right, watching Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley at Pride in London

This year, I was proud to carry the flag of Afghanistan, again heading up the parade behind the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and the event directors. The flag bearers create a visual message of support to LGBTQ+ communities around the world. Although in the UK we now have equal marriage and legal protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in many countries relationships with same-sex partners are illegal and ‘punishable’ by imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Even in this country homophobia and resulting discrimination is still having an impact on the emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ people. Various research by Stonewall has shown that LGB people suffer more mental health problems than the general population. This is not as a result of their sexual orientation but due to bullying, harassment at work, rejection by family and poor attitudes of healthcare professionals. Levels of depression and suicidal thoughts are much higher amongst young people who have been bullied about their sexual orientation than those who haven’t. Three in ten bisexual women and two in ten lesbians have had an eating disorder compared to 1 in 20 (0.5 in ten) of the general population. 

That’s why Pride events are so important – as a vibrant display of our commitment to equality and human rights, a demonstration of support to those who might not currently enjoy those rights, an encouragement to be ourselves and to be open and tolerant to people who are different to us. All these things can help to create a more accepting society where people do not feel that they have to hide who they are or feel ashamed about being different. The Pride campaign this year is #nofilter which is all about living our lives without having to censor or hide who we are. 

As part of the Comic Relief funded Stand Up! for emotional health and well-being project, we will be working with Iris Prize in the Community, the outreach programme of the international LGBT+ film festival based in Cardiff. An important aim of the Comic Relief grant is to tackle stigma and discrimination, especially for marginalised groups of people in society. In our case, this is people who are in a minority due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, who might be disproportionately suffering emotional distress for the reasons highlighted in the Stonewall research. We will have an opportunity to explore issues affecting well-being and to create our own short film, written, directed and performed by the group. We will then host a mini LGBT+ film festival. This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate diversity right here in Powys.

If you would like to find out more or get involved in this part of our project, further details can be found on the Powys Mental Health website, or you can contact me by ringing 01597 822191 or emailing anne.woods@pavo.org.uk

The next Stand Up! for emotional health & wellbeing meeting takes place in Welshpool on Monday 26 September, 2 - 4pm, at Ponthafren Welshpool Outreach.

You don't have to be mad to work here, but...

Carla Rosenthal recently joined the mental health team at PAVO to provide maternity cover for Angharad Griffiths. Some readers may know her from her previous role as editor of Headspace magazine for Powys Mental Health Alliance. During that time she organised some very interesting Open Days throughout the county.

Carla has thrown herself with great enthusiasm into her new role at PAVO; you can watch a video of her first Coffee Moaning, which took place in Knighton in May. She works very closely with Anne Woods, a participation colleague focusing on the Stand up! for emotional health & wellbeing project funded by Comic Relief.

With one of her many other hats on Carla is also a Mental Health Act Manager in North Powys. We spoke to Carla at her Llandrindod base to find out more.

Tell us more about your new role in the PAVO mental health team

The job title is Participation Officer and essentially it’s all about community engagement. I spend a lot of time meeting people and talking about Mental Health Services in Powys. All views, opinions and issues are collated and then given to Individual Representatives who take the grassroots voices to Board Level. I grab every opportunity to talk to service users, carers and third sector organisations to discover what is working well and what needs bringing to the attention of the health board and other mental health service providers. And I’m busy organising Coffee Moanings around Powys. (The next one is in Ystradgynlais Library on Friday 7th October 10.30 - 12.30 in the Wedding Room).

How is the new job going so far?

Four months in and I’m busier than ever! Along with supporting Individual Reps, attending Patients' Council at Bronllys Hospital, talking to people at events, and writing emails, there are lots of meetings to attend and new contacts to follow up. When I’m not travelling around Powys, I’m getting used to working in an office (a new experience for me) and I really enjoy the work I do - there’s never a dull moment.

Why should people who have been in contact with services come along to a Coffee Moaning, or a Stand Up! for emotional health & wellbeing session?

The aim of these events is for ANYONE who has interest and experience in mental health services to come along and get their voice heard. The evidence that’s gathered from these events is gold dust to the Individual Representatives who work closely with service providers such as Powys Teaching Health Board and partners on the board like the Police and the Council. It is imperative for those who plan services to hear what is needed from the people who actually use the services.

I believe you are currently looking for people to become new Individual Representatives for the Powys and National Boards. Can you tell us more?

Individual Reps are the voice of the people - it is thanks to them that service users and carers are represented. It’s an opportunity for anyone passionate about planning and developing mental health services to get involved and feel that they are helping to make a difference. Although it is a volunteer role, travel expenses are paid and there’s a fantastic training package being put together which equips Individual Reps to feel confident at strategic board level meetings. 

The partnership meetings are held every two months and there are opportunities to sit on sub-groups which are instrumental in delivering the Mental Health Strategy for Wales. Should an Individual Rep wish to attend the National Partnership Board, I assist in liaising with the Mental Health Foundation who appoint the National Reps and there are National Forums where all the Reps from across Wales get together to share information and good practice.

PAVO's mental health team with Seat 35, L:R - Jane, Anne, Jackie and Carla

What about your other role as a Mental Health Act Manager for Phoenix House Hospital in Welshpool? Tell us about that.

Mental Health Act Managers meet when an in-patient has requested an appeal hearing against their section. The title ‘Manager’ is somewhat misleading as we are all lay-people and come from a variety of backgrounds. My interest is this role came about due to having been a patient under section at a hospital in Surrey several years ago along with a brief spell in Bronllys. I can see things from the perspective of the patient as well as from a professional viewpoint.

As Managers, three of us meet before the hearing and read through the reports compiled by psychiatrists, doctors, lawyers, social workers, nurses etc. We then make a particular point of having an informal chat with the patient first, to help put them at ease and give them the opportunity to put their side across before everyone comes in. The hearing itself can be rather daunting as all professionals involved come together to give their opinion of the future care of the patient. When we have heard everything from everybody and the room has been emptied, we make a decision based on all the evidence presented.

To be held under the Mental Health Act, an individual is deemed to be at harm to self or others and needing treatment in a place of safety to prevent harm happening. If, as managers, we feel that the patient has received appropriate care and treatment and has recovered fully to become a ‘voluntary’ patient and/or even leave hospital straight away, we can lift the section. However, some people need to continue their treatment before they can be released and we then look at how they can work towards becoming a voluntary in-patient. We talk to the outside agencies such as community psychiatric nurses and social workers about what care will be put in place for when the patient leaves hospital. It’s an extremely important and responsible decision which cannot be taken lightly. Having been a patient, I understand how difficult a hospital stay can be but I’m also aware of what it’s like to be ill and needing care. Ultimately, the patient’s welfare is at the heart of our decision.

How did you get involved at Phoenix House?

When I was magazine editor of HeadSpace, I wrote a feature article on Phoenix House and one of my contacts there told me about the Managers' Panel and suggested I applied for the role. I had to complete an application form and have a formal interview before being given the position. In nearly two years, I think I’ve attended 6 hearings.

What qualities should a good MH Act Manager have and why?

As I mentioned earlier, the decisions we make have a direct and immediate impact on a patient and that responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Compassion, understanding and the ability to listen and read through a variety of evidence is essential along with a sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act and maintaining confidentiality. Along with these professional skills, a good Manager is one who genuinely listens to the patient and those working with them because whilst reports have their place, the conversations that happen during the hearing are the key to making the final decision. The Managers are aware that it is quite an emotional and stressful event for the patient and our behaviour and communication needs to reflect this during the hearing. A smile goes a long way :-)

Have you sat on an appeal panel which has discharged a patient from a section? What did it feel like?

Yes, I have and the emotions are mixed. Although seemingly a positive outcome, sometimes you get the feeling that this person is going to need support for while and although not needing a hospital setting, the willingness to engage with outside services has to be there in order for that person to thrive. I’ve worked with people who when they are in hospital they’re aiming for release, but when they’re back at home there’s nothing to aim for and they find themselves relapsing.

If during an appeal panel a patient is discharged from a section, what support has to be in place for the person?

From the moment of discharge, a patient’s status becomes ‘voluntary’ and they are free to leave. Sometimes, the section will be lifted on the proviso (agreed with patient and staff) that they stay for maybe an extra week in order for housing or a support service to be sorted out. In reality, lifting a section is only dependent on a person’s likelihood of harm to self or others so housing, support networks etc, are not part of that decision. However, our duty of care is such that we try to ensure that everyone involved is ready to provide the support as soon as possible.

What are the main challenges of the role?

This directly links with the previous question as there was a situation when if the patient was discharged, they would immediately leave the hospital into unsuitable accommodation and continue a lifestyle which had contributed to their initial ill health; however, there was no legal case to maintain the section. It’s times like this that the panel needs to consider very carefully the future of the individual. It’s all too easy to see a yo-yo effect of the same faces re-appearing in hospital but at the same time, we can’t keep someone detained in hospital just because on their release they want to go down the pub and have a beer and a fag!

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done in the mental health field

On a personal level, I really enjoy going to Felindre Ward at Bronllys Hospital because some of the staff remember me from when I stayed there in 2011. It’s an amazing feeling when I can sit with patients in a Patients' Council meeting and say, I understand, I’ve been here too.

Recently I met some people at the PAVO offices who wanted to discuss a family member’s mental health. I sat across a desk telling them, “It’s ok, I’ve been in the same head-space that your family member is in and my mum has been in a similar situation to the one you’ve found yourselves in.” We all shed some tears. I signposted them to a variety of organisations, offered personal support and generally empathized. They were so reassured that just because someone is experiencing mental ill health, options don’t close down (as some people still think), instead options will open up.

And I still joke about my job: “You don’t have to be mad to work here - but if you put it on your CV, it’s a bonus”.

When you’re not working how do you enjoy spending your time?

I adore reading and devour books from the library - a day without my book time is not good! I’m also studying a Royal Horticultural Society course in horticulture and really enjoy gardening but a recent house move means most spare time is spent unpacking boxes I haven’t quite got round to yet . . . and I’ve got kids and dogs and horrible housework!

Many thanks to Carla for telling us about her various roles. If you would like to find out more about Coffee Moanings, or becoming an Individual Rep, just contact Carla by ringing 01597 822191 or emailing carla.rosenthal@pavo.org.uk

Cuppa with a Copper

Leanne Morris is a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Dyfed-Powys Police based with the Brecon Neighbourhood Policing Team. Along with other PCSOs, Leanne supports the NPT by “engaging with the community and providing a highly-visible and reassuring presence.” In November 2015 Leanne attended the first of our PAVO mental health team’s Stand-up! for emotional health and wellbeing partnership meetings which took place in Brecon. 

My colleague Anne Woods, who is funded for three years by Comic Relief to develop this participation work across Powys, set up the meeting at Brecon & District Mind. It was the first of several planned for Brecon, and people who have been in contact with mental health services, and people close to them, are encouraged to attend and meet up with NHS staff, the local mental health advocate and third sector representatives. Local police PCSOs are also invited and generally made very welcome.

And so it was that Leanne attended that first meeting in Brecon, where there were cuppas and cakes… Anne takes up the story:

“As a result of the Comic Relief funded participation work, a spin off project has started to improve relationships between the local police service and people who experience mental ill-health. Regular opportunities have been created to have a ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ at Brecon & District Mind recovery and well-being centre, to improve relationships between police officers and the community they serve.

When Leanne attended that first Brecon Stand up! Meeting it quickly became apparent that the presence of someone in police uniform had an effect on some people there, and a discussion followed about their experiences of coming into contact with the police. Some people recounted negative experiences or negative feelings towards the police as a result. When someone is experiencing extreme emotional distress, frequently it is the police who are the first service they come into contact with."

Some of the issues which arose at the Brecon meeting have been discussed in publications such as The Police Federation of England and Wales publication "Police." In an article entitled Forum to focus on mental health issues in custody, Kevin Huish, the 2013 mental health lead on mental health wrote: "It’s widely acknowledged by all experts that police custody is the last place a person suffering a mental health crisis should be. Being confronted by officers in uniform with all their kit further exacerbates that breakdown." In Powys, a multi-agency approach is now working to improve the police response to those with mental health needs. However, sometimes, even when the crisis is over, and perhaps some time well in the future, just being in a room with someone in police uniform can trigger distressing feelings for an individual.

Back to Anne and the Cuppa with a Copper initiative.... 

"After the group meeting Leanne approached me to suggest that we find ways to foster better relationships. I followed up by organising a meeting with Val Walker, the manager of Brecon & District Mind, and we developed a proposal to put to the members. As a result, and with the members’ full support, the police now hold a monthly drop-in session to have ‘a Cuppa with a Copper’.

These sessions are informal and provide an opportunity for people to raise issues or seek advice but also simply to get to know each other, whether they wear a uniform or not. By timetabling and advertising the sessions, it gives people the opportunity to stay away if they feel interacting with the police would trigger difficult feelings or memories. Fortunately, however, the drop-ins have been well attended. There is also now talk of the police helping out with some of Brecon & District Mind’s outdoor volunteering projects alongside members.

This spin-off is transforming a negative situation into a positive one. The Comic Relief funded work has revealed tensions in the local community, an opportunity to take practical steps to address them has been followed up, and the initiative is improving the lives of people in the Brecon area.”

PCSO Leanne Morris told us what she thought about the new opportunity to meet up with members of Brecon & District Mind:

"The aim of setting up the Cuppa with a Copper meetings is to build relationships between the police and the people attending the Mind centre in Brecon who have experienced issues with mental health. I wanted to show the human face behind the uniform so that if anything comes up in future people feel happy to approach and speak to us on the street.

I worked for 10 years in the field of substance misuse, and with dual diagnosis clients - people who self-medicate with alcohol. I also spent 2 years at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital working with people with alcohol related problems, including assessing people on a mental health ward. So I can appreciate why people feel the way they do, why they can have varied and negative views of the police.

The meetings are running really well. I've been asked back anyway, so that's a good sign! And one of the Brecon Mind members wants to write a piece for the organisation's newsletter.

Some people only come into contact with the police when they are in crisis - which is obviously not ideal. I want people to meet us at different times to chat. Even if they are just offloading - that can really help."

Thanks to Anne and Leanne for the update, and watch this space for details of the next Cuppa with a Copper meeting in Brecon.

Find out more about Brecon & District Mind activities.

Do you care about adult mental health provision in the NHS in Powys and think it could be better or should be run differently? 

The next Stand up! for emotional health and well being meeting takes place in Newtown on Tuesday 3 May. Contact Anne Woods on anne.woods@pavo.org.uk or tel: 01597 822191 if you want to find out more.

Our comedy workshop @ Celf

Yesterday as a team we explored how comedy could inform our work around participation - specifically around engaging with people who have been in contact with mental health services or those close to them - and learned new ways to tell stories or describe experiences.

Who better to enlist to help us than Owen Griffkin of Havin' A Laugh fame. And what better premises for our workshop than the Celf Centre run by the art charity Celf O Gwympas in Llandrindod Wells. The place is stuffed full of weird and wonderful and very inspiring artwork. You only have to look at some of it to find yourself smiling. And, they even have red noses of their very own! Perfect for those of us working on a Comic Relief funded project called Standing up for emotional health and wellbeing (that would be Anne then, far right in the photo).

Artwork at Celf by Dean Warburton

In our very own bespoke Havin' A Laugh workshop Owen took us through a series of games over the course of a couple of hours. We were amazed to discover that there was much humour to be found in our own everyday lives and stories.

Owen Griffkin - the comedy master - and Jane Cooke, our Senior Officer Mental Health

In the first session some of us had travelled billions of miles (think Universe, speed of light, Star Wars kind of community transport) to put the most important question imaginable to The Oracle. Two of us had the slightly challenging task of answering the questions (as a sort of bizarre two-headed Oracle), one word at a time, each after the other... talk about throwing us in at the deep end. 

Questions ranged from the fairly predictable "What is the meaning of life?" to the intriguing "Why is there a colour purple?" to a rather random travel enquiry: "How do I get to Atlantis?" The answer to the latter being, quite obviously: "Atlantis relies upon your soul being attuned to many places including the underneath of your feet exactly." So.... now we know...

Artwork at Celf by Dean Warburton

Next up: Truth and Lies.... Each of us had to tell three facts about ourselves to the others in the group. Simple enough, surely? But, there was a catch. (Of course). One of the facts had to be a lie, and the others had to guess which one... Blimey, we never knew this could be so hard... our colleagues turn out to be masterful liars!

Here are the three facts Jane told us about herself.... which one do you think is the lie...?

1. All of my three children were born on a Thursday.
2. I did not start speaking properly until the age of 4.
3. My childhood ambition was to be a show jumper and a hairdresser.

One of my truths involved attending a Star Trek convention many many light years ago, but perhaps the less said about that the better....

Anne Woods - Participation Officer, and Philip Moisson - Powys Patients' Council facilitator

Further games followed, far too many to mention here, but you get a feel for the state of comedy affairs by this stage of the afternoon...

One of my favourite games was The Interview. We took it in turns to interview each other for a number of job vacancies, including Waste Recycling Operative and Koala Bear Midwife. We were either super-confident or extremely nervous, Owen explained to us. One of the funniest sessions was Anne being interviewed, as a nervous potential Rocket Scientist, by Phil. Here is how it went:

Phil: How are you?
Anne: A bit nervous.
Phil: There's no room for nerves in rocket science.
Anne: Oh. Sorry.
Phil: So, what would you bring to our next expedition?
Anne: Not much. But I'd give it a go.
Phil: What do you know about Rocket Science exactly?
Anne: Just a little. But I could go to the library and read up on it.
Phil: Right....
Anne: The main thing is... well, let's just hope we come back from the expedition.
Phil: D'you think you're confident enough for this type of role?
Anne: I am a worrier. But I do double and triple check things. I might have to restart the countdown... Once we got down to 7 I'd have to go back up to 10...

Anyone out there looking to employ a nervous Rocket Scientist then...?

By the end of the afternoon we were absolutely exhausted we'd all laughed so hard. So we sat down and had a much-earned rest for half an hour. At the same time ('cause we're so good at multi-tasking) we ate a few biscuits, drank coffee and/or water, and chatted about how we might put these techniques to use in our participation work. We started off by acknowledging that some of us had been quite apprehensive about the session, and even a little nervous going into some of the games, but ultimately had found them extremely enjoyable and very rewarding.

We also decided that using funny and engaging ways of looking at life could be a great way of showing the realities of life for people in contact with mental health services. For example, for exploring day-to-day life on a mental health ward, or what it's like waiting to access talking therapies. At the very least some of the games could be used to break the ice at meetings and we all agreed they created a very levelling experience where we are all people together sharing some small details of our lives.

What do you think? Would you like to have a laugh? Find out more about the Havin' A Laugh workshops running at Mid Powys Mind. Or let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

By the way, the next Stand up for emotional health and wellbeing meeting takes place this coming Monday 29 February in Llandrindod Wells. It will be at the Resource Centre, Mid Powys Mind between 3 - 5pm. If you have been in contact with mental health services, or are close to someone who has, and would like to speak with mental health professionals or give some feedback about your experiences, we would love to see you there. And if you would like to find out more about the project please contact Anne by emailing: anne.woods@pavo.org.uk or ring 01597 822191.

The Cash Cow at Celf - even she has a red nose!