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Chris wins Community and Collaboration Award at the National Lived Experience Awards 2024

Chris with his National Lived Experience Award

Congratulations to Chris, a service user at Cygnet Oaks in Barnsley, who has won the Community and Collaboration Award at this year’s National Lived Experience Awards.

The National Lived Experience Awards are designed to celebrate service user led initiatives in mental health, learning disability and autism services nationwide. This year the awards ceremony was held in the Premier Suite at Doncaster Racecourse.

Chris won the award for his work with The Swans, a band that had originally formed whilst he was at Cygnet Hospital Derby. The project helped support services users to interact, find a new hobby and feel part of a community.

Talking about the importance of music, Chris said: “I have been in services a long time and learning the guitar is one of the best things I have done. It has given me a sense of belief and a sense of achievement.

“When things get tough or hard, or I am feeling angry, I pick up my guitar up and practice some of the songs I am learning. It also gives me a chance to show my creative side and help write some music.”

Chris receiving the award from Chris Truscott of the NHS Confederation

After winning the award Chris said: “It was a surprise to be nominated because with the way I’ve been for a long time I’ve not really had much positiveness about myself. To be shortlisted with so many nominations was just an achievement by itself.

“When I heard that I had won it was such an emotional moment that I’d achieved something I thought I never would. Especially with something to do with music which I’m passionate about. It was really emotional and I thank everyone for picking me as a winner.

“It is such a big achievement for myself and it just shows that all my hard work and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

In addition to Chris there were also seven other projects from Cygnet services that made it to the final. These were:

Residents and staff from Yorkshire Supported Living at the awards

Supported Living Social Club, Yorkshire Supported Living, Cygnet Social Care – Finalist in the Community and Collaboration Award category
During the residents’ People’s Council meetings, individuals asked for a Social Club that all could attend. Each month, the service votes for what theme they would like to see for the next event. The Social Club events are accessible to the services within Huddersfield and facilitates people from other services to meet in a safe space. Everyone has enjoyed attending, picking the theme and helping to decorate the venue. The night is always great fun for everyone.

Residents and staff from The Orchards

Quality Improvement (QI) Project, The Orchards, Cygnet Social Care – Finalist in the Community and Collaboration Award category
Residents Johnathan, Daniel and David wanted to improve rundown facilities and environments that they use regularly in the local village for themselves, and the local villagers, to increase satisfaction. The positive effects have not only benefited the community and the wider perception of the service but also built on the friendships with the residents. This was Cygnet Social Care’s first resident-led Quality Improvement Project.

Jordan with residents and staff from Pines

Jordan – Pines’ Football Player, Pines, Cygnet Social Care – Finalist in the Community and Collaboration Award category
Jordan attends weekly football sessions at Mansfield Town Football Club, which is put together for young adults with additional needs. When he joined, Jordan required a high level of staff support to manage his anxieties and behavioural needs and was not comfortable in a group setting. But due to how well Jordan has done and has moved on with his life, he has signed up to be a player. Since joining the team, he enjoys spending time in a group and has made new friends in the community.

Residents and staff from Cherry Tree House

Pines and Cherry Tree Pantomime, Pines and Cherry Tree House, Cygnet Social Care – Finalist in the Hope and Positivity Award category
During a resident’s community meeting, a resident stated they would like to take part in a pantomime, as they did not have the chance at school. Residents then co-produced a production of ‘Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Buddy Elf’. Everything from the costumes, props, scripts and production was created and designed by the residents and staff.

Shaun with staff members from Cygnet Fountains

Shaun – Peer Buddy Mentor and People’s Council Lead, Cygnet Fountains, Cygnet Health Care – Finalist in the Hope and Positivity Award category
As People’s Council Lead, Shaun is a natural advocate for co-production and developing a ‘Peer Buddy Mentor’ system, which helps others throughout their rehabilitation journey.

He values co-production and has been advocating as the voice for his peers. By working alongside staff members to improve attendance in the meetings, and encouraging the participation of others in ward meetings; this has positively impacted patient involvement and co-production throughout the service. Once discharged, Shaun would like to take on an Expert by Experience role to continue supporting others.

Jav from Cygnet Hospital Bierley who gave a talk about the hospital's Social Hub

Social Hub, Cygnet Hospital Bierley, Cygnet Health Care – Finalist in the Innovation in Recovery Award category
What was once a dull ‘tuck shop room’ has since been transformed into a vibrant Social Hub. The service users and staff worked together during community meetings to discuss what they would like in the room. They created a wish list, then staff took service users out shopping to buy the items they wanted in the room. The Social Hub has since become the heart of recovery for service users across the service and the initiative is now being rolled out across services within Cygnet Health Care.

Lois with Cygnet's Operations Director Mandy Sellers

Lois – Healthy Living Project, Cygnet Hospital Woking, Picasso Ward, Cygnet Health Care – Finalist in the Outstanding Leadership Award category
Lois, an Expert by Experience, co-produced a ‘Healthy Living’ guide with the Operations Director and service users. The aim of this is to support service users in achieving weekly healthy living goals. Her enthusiasm and commitment to the group are evident and the service now shares this project across Cygnet sites. Lois is a positive and vibrant leader, she takes pride in working with people and proves repeatedly how important Experts by Experience are across the services.

Congratulations again to Chris and to all of our finalists.

Well done and thank you also to all the Cygnet service users and residents who took part in the awards as members of the event planning team, as service user judges and also those who took part on the day as speakers and in the entertainment slots.

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