Robert Lewis recognises “unwavering commitment” of Trust social workers
The Trust welcomed Robert Lewis, Mental Health Social Work Lead at the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) for a visit to learn more about the excellent work going on in our social work teams.
Led by Carla Fourie, Director of Social Care, the visit began with a tour of the newly opened Heather Close Community Mental Health Centre which is pioneering a new approach to delivering community mental health care. There was also time to meet social workers and approved mental health professionals (AMHP) to discuss social work in the NHS and the shift to community based, preventative and strengths-based, collaborative models of care.
Left to right: Carla Fourie, Robert Lewis, Liz Dickson, Beverley Nartey, Edel O'Leary, Michelle MacKenzie
Head of Social Work and Safeguarding Lead – Forensic Services, Victoria Hart led a visit to forensic services at the Bethlem Royal Hospital including touring Chaffinch Ward, the Recovery Hub and visiting the patient-led cafe at River House.
Victoria Hart said: “It was a great opportunity to share what we do within the social work teams at the Bethlem and to recognise No Stigma for HIV day as well as hear updates directly about the changes coming in mental health legislation and policy.”
Reflecting on the visit Robert Lewis said: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the social work colleagues who welcomed me during my two-day visit to services across SLaM. It was a privilege to spend time with so many social workers at the Bethlem Royal Hospital and the 24/7 Neighbourhood Mental Health Pilot in Lewisham. Throughout the visit, I saw clear evidence of the value and impact that social work brings, alongside a remarkable breadth of innovation. Most importantly, I was struck by the unwavering commitment to ensuring that people who draw on services, and those in their care, remains at the centre of everything that they do. I am especially grateful to Victoria and Carla for their generosity with their time and expertise. Their pride in the work of their colleagues is evident and entirely justified.”
Robert Lewis also met with colleagues from the CASCAID: HIV Liaison Service to discuss their work and to mark Zero HIV Stigma Day. Team Leader, Liz Dickson said: "It was great to meet with Robert and spend Zero HIV Stigma Day with him. We talked about the work that SLaM's HIV & Mental Health Team, CASCAID, undertake to try and reduce the disproportionate amounts of stigma, discrimination and inequality those living with HIV experience, and SLaM's commitment to becoming HIV Confident."
Left to right: Karen Watt, Edel O'Leary, Yasmin Dipchan, Adejoke Ogundiran, Robert Lewis, Victoria Hart, Carla Fourie, Michelle MacKenzie
Yasmin Dipchan is a social worker at the Trust and participated in the visit. She said: “It was a most valuable experience to be honoured to meet such an interesting and inspirational mental health lead from the DHSC. He explained the changes regarding key legislation.”
The visit concluded with a tour of River House wards with the opportunity to chat to ward staff, service users and social workers.