The aim of the development centre is to centralise all aspects of training and education for both service users and staff at Cygnet Brunel. It will provide opportunities for both informal training, along with accredited training courses and provisions.
For service users the centre will provide ASDAN accredited courses including a ‘Certificate of Personal Effectiveness’ qualification. ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) is a nationally recognised awarding body whose programmes and qualifications offer flexible ways of developing and accrediting personal, social and work-related abilities. In addition the centre will support service users to seek out and undertake short and accredited courses at Bristol College in a variety of topics.
Service users will also have the opportunity to devise and deliver training sessions / programmes to staff and their fellow peers. The centre will also support service users to utilise skills / experience / qualifications in order to undertake vocational roles within Cygnet Brunel. Finally, it will also provide opportunities for service users to explore and undertake volunteering roles within the wider community.
For staff the new centre will oversee the induction of new team members. It will also help to raise awareness of the range of apprenticeships, short courses, online courses and accredited courses that are available to staff.
The launch event was attended by service users and staff at the hospital together with guests from across Cygnet. The centre’s specially commissioned sign was officially unveiled by Raf Hamaizia, Cygnet’s Expert by Experience Lead, and Mandy Blanchard, Cygnet’s Head of Learning and Development.
Stephanie Coxon, Hospital Manager, said: “We are so proud to launch our development centre here at Cygnet Brunel, to deliver our personal and professional development commitment with our service users and staff. Reinforcing our community ethos, staff and service users will be learning and training together to achieve their personal development goals.”
Dr Henk Swanepoel, Lead Neuropsychologist at Cygnet Brunel, said: “The Bright Minds Development Centre is taking rehabilitation to a pioneering level where a service user not only receives rehabilitation, but at the end of their model of care, leaves the service with an accredited qualification.”
For more from Stephanie, Henk, as well as service users and other Cygnet team members discussing the new centre please watch the video below.
Cygnet Brunel in Bristol offers an extensive Neuropsychiatric treatment, care and rehabilitation pathway which is unique in its ability to provide a dedicated pathway to meet the complex needs of service users within their care. To find out more about the service please visit the Cygnet Brunel page.