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Boundervean Resource Centre is 1 of 10 resource centres providing invaluable support to its local community.

The Camborne based local day centre provides drop-in sessions for anyone in the community who has been involved with a mental health team during their life or who is currently on a mental health caseload.

Boundervean Resource Centre is run by the Trust. It offers services and activities for adults who experience severe and lasting mental health problems.

Stu has been coming to the centre for 6 years after his community psychiatric nurse suggested the activities might help his mental health.

“I have been coming to Boundervean 2 to 3 times a week for the last 6 years.

“I really enjoy doing gardening and cooking at the centre. Today, we are going to cook some homegrown potatoes to go with our lunch.

“There is so much support here and I have made lots of friends. There is always a friendly face. It is like a home from home.

“Although I was discharged from my mental health team a few years ago, I still like to visit the centre to keep on top of my mental health. I have done great courses here such as assertiveness and mindfulness. I found the emotional coping skills course particularly helpful.

“When I first came to the centre, I was terrified. Now whenever someone new comes through the door, we always ask them if they would like to join in. I would be lost without the centre.

“The team are brilliant. I would recommend visiting your local resource centre to anyone who needs some mental health support and a friendly face.”

People can self-refer to the centre, or they can be referred by their social prescriber or their care co-ordinator. Often users refer their friends by word of mouth.

The centre offers painting, gardening, drop-in sessions, and tea and coffee mornings. It can be flexible with what its users would like to do.

Steve Burrows is a recovery support worker and has worked at Boundervean for 9 years.

“We have a great timetable of activities and courses for the adults using our services. The activities can be holistic such as arts and crafts and gardening, or we can offer help to support people to live independently in the community.

“We have found that as mental health professionals we can be more supportive and pre-emptive when seeing people regularly.

“People need continual social support and interactions with others so that they do not end up in point of crisis.”

Boundervean is open 4 days a week. To contact the team for a self-referral, call 01209 613 006.

Find out more about our resource centres.

Read Day centre providing mental health lifeline…

Cornwall's Specialist Perinatal Service is holding an event to celebrate its birthday. The service has been operating for 10 years.

The event will be in Newquay on Saturday 16 September. It will be open to past and present service users and their families. They can pre-register for this event.

The team will invite attendees to contribute to a booklet. This will contain stories of hope and recovery and inspiring artwork. The team will offer this to people experiencing mental health challenges in the perinatal period.

Workshops at the birthday celebrations will highlight the interventions used by the team. For example, baby massage, pregnancy yoga, a forest school and mindfulness.

At the event will be Anthony Harrison, Chair of the Angela Harrison Trust.

Anthony's wife, Angela took her own life 4 months after the birth of her daughter, Sophie. Sadly, support from family, friends and colleagues were not enough to save Angela. The lack of services, information, and support available to people in the perinatal period, was clear to Anthony. This led him to set up the Angela Harrison Trust to support families in a similar position.

Anthony and the Angela Harrison Trust were key to the establishment of the Trust’s Specialist Perinatal Service.

This saw the service launch in August 2013. At that time, it was made up of 2 mental health nurses and a part-time consultant psychiatrist. Today, the service boasts a full multi-disciplinary team led by Ruth Marsden.

“We are so looking forward to celebrating our service and marking this wonderful milestone. The day will be a fantastic opportunity for our past and present service users to meet up and have fun. Children are welcome and there will be lots to keep them occupied.

“We want to remind people that help is available, and recovery is possible. This is why we want to collect people’s stories of recovery to put into a booklet. We will share with others when they are facing mental health difficulties.

“If you cannot come along but would still like to share your recovery story of hope, please get in touch.

“Any of our past or present service users are welcome to come along for as long as they would like. Please email us so we can share the event information with you.” Ruth Marsden

The free event will be from 10.30am to 2.30pm with lunch included. Email the Perinatal Team or call 01872 246 820 to reserve a place at the event.

Read Trust invites people to celebrate 10 years of Cornish perinatal care…

Local stroke services at Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital will be supported with £3 million this winter. The funds come as part of a £250 million government announcement.

The Trust provides in-patient stroke rehabilitation services from Camborne and Redruth and Bodmin Hospitals.

From the ward, a team of stroke specialist therapists work with patients. Helping them regain their independence, achieve the best outcomes and wherever possible return home.

The Trust will use the funds to relocate the hospital's 20 stroke rehabilitation beds. This will allow essential works to be carried out. While the work takes place, the Trust will erect a temporary building in the hospital's grounds. This will allow stroke rehabilitation services to continue without disruption on the site.

The Trust expects the interim ward to open in winter 2023. Once the new ward is in place, urgent repairs will start on the Victorian part of the hospital.

"We are pleased to be among the NHS services to benefit from these funds. It is vital that we continue to deliver rehabilitation to people who have suffered a stroke. The temporary unit will allow us to provide this critical service without disruption.” Sue Greenwood, Hospital Matron

The modular building will remain on site for up to 12 months.

2 other South-west schemes have been announced. These are in Devon and Weston.

Read Local stroke services to receive £3 million…

Update on Togetherall

From 1 July 2024, the Trust changed the way we offer online support for anxiety and low mood in Cornwall. We no longer offer services through Togetherall.

Instead, people in Cornwall will be able to connect with others, share experiences and access online peer support via Mind’s online community Side by Side

Launched in August 2020, Side by Side is a safe place where you can listen, share, and be heard. The community is open 24/7 and supported by a team of Mind professionals.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 0800 038 5300.

Original press release

This summer, Cornwall is proudly celebrating Pride. 11 events are taking place across the county which include parades and live music. Pride celebrates equity and diversity. But evidence shows high rates of depression amongst the LGBTQ+ community. The Trust is using the events to raise awareness of Togetherall's online service.

Togetherall is a safe, anonymous space for anxiety and depression.

"Pride in Cornwall has become a true celebration of all that is different, unique, and special. Whilst we want to be part of these celebrations, we recognise the mental health challenges some people experience. Through Togetherall, people have access to 24-hour support. They can share their experiences with people who have been there.

"It is important an institution as big and influential as the NHS proactively supports every member of our community. It will take time to bring about changes in attitude. We are proud to support people with any difficulties they face in the meantime." Rachel Tofts, Chair of the NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LGBTQ+ employee network.

Togetherall is free for anyone in Cornwall aged 16 or above. Trained therapists support the service which includes online courses. The service is designed to help people manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

"This is a transgender and non-binary support group in Cornwall. Through regular meetings the group aims to build confidence and wellbeing.

"We always encourage people to talk about their feelings. Our group meets monthly. We create a safe space where people can gain strength through their relationships with others. I welcome news of this service and the Trust to provide support for the LGBTQ+ community." Annie Kenton is co-founder and director of Transparent Presence CIC

Read Trust highlights mental health challenges facing LGBTQ+ community…

Update on Togetherall

From 1 July 2024, the Trust changed the way we offer online support for anxiety and low mood in Cornwall. We no longer offer services through Togetherall.

Instead, people in Cornwall will be able to connect with others, share experiences and access online peer support via Mind’s online community Side by Side

Launched in August 2020, Side by Side is a safe place where you can listen, share, and be heard. The community is open 24/7 and supported by a team of Mind professionals.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 0800 038 5300.

Original press release

For many 16 to 18-year-olds, the start of the summer holidays signals a countdown to the nail-biting culmination of their hard work and endless studying: exam results day. Many will have huge red crosses marking their calendars with A-level results out on Thursday 17 August. GCSE results come out a week later, on Thursday 24 August.

To help deal with the building stress and stop exam result pressure from dominating the summer, the Trust is offering support through Togetherall's online service. The service is free for anyone in Cornwall aged 16 and over. The safe, secure community provides a place for people to share their concerns with others in a similar position.

“It is normal for young people to feel concerned about exam results. Particularly if they feel under pressure, real or perceived, from their school or family. As results' day nears, some young people will have problems sleeping or eating or experience physical symptoms. As well as headaches or dizziness caused by their anxiety. Through Togetherall, people can get help to manage some of this stress. The service is supported 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by trained therapists. It also includes useful self-help courses.” Dr Jeremy Sandbrook, Consultant Psychiatrist

For some students, anxiety around exam and results time can feel over-whelming. They may become withdrawn or depressed as they focus on the worst-case scenario. Cornwall Council offers support through the HeadStart Kernow’s Start Now website. The website, designed by young people for young people aims to support student wellbeing, and has lots of resources for exam stress.

Headstart Co-ordinator Ness Little said, “Waiting for exam results feels really worrying, and that’s OK. It’s natural to feel stressed and worried. Others will understand this. Try to remember that whilst important, exam results will not determine the rest of your life. There are other options if things don’t go as planned. We know it can be a difficult time so as well as accessing online help and support there are some other things you can do.”

“It can help to talk about any worries you have with an adult you trust. Also, spend time with friends and family and enjoy as many fun and relaxing activities as possible, remembering as well, the importance of a good night's sleep and a healthy diet.

Ness says, “We also recommend planning the day and taking someone with you when you go to collect your results.

Ava Jennings is currently awaiting the results of her A-levels. “I’m trying not to worry too much about my exam results. I already have an apprenticeship lined up and want to enjoy the summer. Some of my friends are feeling stressed and not sleeping. They are worrying they will not get into their first-choice university. Some feel really pressurised by their families to get top results. I think it’s great that there are services to help young people”.

Read Online services open to students to help manage exam result anxiety…

Studies show that in the UK, 10% of children have speech, language, and communication needs.

In areas of poverty, almost half of children start school with communication problems.

If left unknown and without help, communication needs can have long-term effects. Source: Speech and Language UK.

Our Trust’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team support children who have difficulty:

• understanding words
• learning to talk
• speaking clearly
• stammering
• swallowing and using language to interact with people around them

The team work with new-born infants, children and young people up to 18 years of age. They also develop the skills of parents, carers and other people who support the child.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 whilst studying linguistics at Portsmouth University. After receiving a stem-cell transplant from my brother, I was given the all clear in 2012.

“After, I started working in a primary school as a teaching assistant. I became interested in what the children’s speech and language therapists were doing with children who had communication difficulties.

“I admired the work of the therapists and felt I would like to work in the NHS. It felt like I was giving back for the care and treatment I received when I had cancer.

“I decided to do a speech and language degree at Marjon University in Plymouth so I could study whilst living at home. I qualified in August 2022 and started working as a speech and language therapist for the Trust in October 2022. I could not believe my luck. I had secured a job I was enthusiastic about right on my doorstep.” Tegen Roberts, Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist, based at Launceston Community Hospital

Nationally, there is a shortage of speech and language therapists. The Trust’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team is working to improve support worker involvement. They are doing this through apprenticeships, and early intervention to prevent children needing communication help when they are older.

“We are delighted to welcome Tegen into our team of speech and language therapists. It is a rewarding profession, where we make a difference to children, young people, and their families.”

“I feel lucky to work for the Trust. I have received lots of support from my colleagues since starting my role.

“I love working with children and their families. I find my role so rewarding. Seeing children progress with their speech and language is the best feeling.” Katie Purse, Operational Manager, Children’s Neurodevelopmental Service

GPs, health visitors, schools, or family can make a referral. Each referral will get a call back from the speech and language therapist and will have an assessment or given targeted advice.

“There is a huge demand for referrals. This might be because of the pandemic, family circumstances including the cost-of-living crisis and education recruitment.

“Despite this, our team is doing an amazing job at changing our service to be needs led and linked to evidence based pathways.

“We have been getting great feedback from the families and will be looking to deliver more blocks of therapy to those who need it.

“We are now working to increase therapists’ availability and recruitment by developing apprenticeships.” Ysanne Yeatman, Children's Operational Lead for Speech and Language Therapy

Read NHS service transforming children’s communication needs…

Residents at a care home in Falmouth have been showing their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of district nurses by delivering heartfelt gifts, including cards and cakes.

Falmouth Court Care Home is one of many centres across Cornwall whose residents benefit from regular visits by NHS nurses.

As a token of their gratitude, residents came up with the heartwarming idea of giving something back to the nurses who dedicate their time to not only providing care, but offering the sort of kindness and compassion which can really make a difference to their day.

Residents expressed their appreciation by penning messages of thanks in cards. Cakes were also delivered to the district nurses’ office and Falmouth Hospital.

“We always love to support our community where we can. We help many different local community groups, district nurses being a huge one.

“We really do appreciate all the help from the district nurses. Once a quarter I run a blue light breakfast once a week so they can all come in for a pastry and a coffee to enjoy as a thank-you. I also regularly drop off home baked cupcakes to their headquarters as a thank you.” Hugh Dickinson, Home Services Advisor for Barchester Healthcare

The fact that residents decided to take time out of their day to take part in this wonderful gesture also shows just how happy they are with the service they receive. It is also a positive reflection on their physical and mental wellbeing. This is not only good for them but provides comfort for their families.

Hugh adds: “We have respites coming and going. Our permeant number is always rising and often our respite decided to stay. Our website reviews really do express how happy the residents and their families are.”

Read Saying thank you is a piece of cake for care home residents…

Renowned local artist Cathy Davies has spoken of her family pride after donating one of her paintings to Bodmin Hospital, a place she says holds a special place in her heart.

‘Calmness at Carbis Bay’ will bring a beautiful splash of colour to the walls of the electro-convulsive therapy department in the hospital after Cathy made the generous donation to a place which has featured prominently throughout her life.

It has been a real family affair for Cathy, whose parents, Steve, and Carmen Davies, both worked in the mental health sector at the hospital, while other family members were employed there for several years.

She says: “Due to my family history and connection with Bodmin Hospital it felt right to donate one of my original art pieces from my gallery.

“My father had a big role at St Lawrence’s Hospital in Bodmin. His role was nurse tutor to all the student nurses at the hospital. He managed many wards and was a very well-respected person in the industry.

“My mother was a health care assistant at Bodmin Hospital for many years and a well-respected person who was well liked by the staff she worked with.”

The painting, which was officially unveiled on July 27, was inspired by the G7 Summit, which took place in Carbis Bay in 2021. Written into the ripples of water are the names of the world leaders who attended.

Cathy adds: “I know myself that paintings have a great power to bring calm and suppress anxiety. I hope that my painting will bring comfort and warmth to the patients, staff, and care providers.”

Cathy paints in all mediums, from oils to acrylics, and while staff and patients will be delighted to see her work on display at Bodmin Hospital, her undoubted talents are also being enjoyed by children. The Cathy Davies School for Mini Artists is hugely popular, with Cathy dedicating much of her time to teaching children at her arts school in Nanpean.

She also teaches children with additional needs, and this has not only proved a massive hit with her young students but the parents who get an enormous sense of pride at seeing their children get creative.

She says: “From the age of 5 I have painted. I turned professional after my parents passed away. This gave me the drive to follow my dreams of becoming a professional artist and to also teach and inspire the younger generation of up-and-coming artists.

“Due to being dyslexic myself, for all my life it was important to me to give others with a difficult ability of learning an opportunity to shine. I teach children of all abilities in a safe happy and calm environment at my art school and studio at Nanpean".

Read New painting at Bodmin Hospital is a real family affair…

In the week that the local NHS launched a summer campaign to help people choose the right service, we officially opened Bodmin Minor Injury Unit in its new premises.

After over 20 years in Bodmin Hospital, the unit has moved out of the hospital and is now co-located with the community diagnostic centre, which opened in December 2022, and which is located on the same site.

Tamsin Fussell, Urgent Care Nurse Consultant, said: “We are really pleased to move into the new facilities within the community diagnostic centre. The new facilities include a triage room, 5 treatment bays, all with a specific clinical function. Moving into the community diagnostic centre gives us access to more diagnostic tests, for example CT scans.”

The unit is one of the county’s larger units. The team have already helped almost 11,700 patients in 2023 so far, and that’s before the start of their busiest month: August. Of the people who’ve used the minor injury unit this year, 834 needed help with a head injury, 323 with burns, and 157 with broken bones.

Laura Inniss, Advanced Clinical Practitioner Minor Injury Unit Lead, runs the unit. She said: “We have an amazing team that are competent and committed to our patients and our community. We never know who is going to walk through the door, and this is part of what gives us passion and drive for as MIU Practitioners, it is this that makes us love our job.

“We’re 1 of 10 minor injury units across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and we’re a key part of the network of urgent and emergency care services. In most cases we’re able to treat people quickly and efficiently so they can return home, but there are times when we need to transfer people to the emergency department because they are very unwell.

“We’re here every day from 8am to 10pm and we are a walk-in service, so no appointment is required.”

The unit is the only one in the east of the county which is open from 8am to 10pm. Camborne Redruth in the west is open 8a to 10pm. Most of the Trust’s minor injury units are open from 8am to 8pm. X-ray services are available in Bodmin from 8am to 8pm daily.

Phase 3 of the community diagnostic centre will see the second floor transformed into a multi-use clinical space with more diagnostic facilities. The diagnostic services available in Bodmin already include x-ray, ultrasound and the county’s fifth CT scanner; is the only one east of Truro.

Read Bodmin Minor Injury Unit opens in new location…

The Trust is delighted to announce that it will be represented by 3 finalists at this year’s WOW! Awards Gala Ceremony in London.

Following months of deliberating, the national judging panel of service industry experts has revealed the list of finalists. With 3 from the Trust shortlisted for the 2023 finals which are to be held at the Proud Embankment venue in London on 28 November 2023. Since the scheme was launched there have been 2,461 Trust nominations across adult community services, mental health, and corporate services.

Laura Patrick, Andrew Spencer, and Tom Woodward will all head to the awards after their nominations wow’d judges. They received the exciting news in separate surprise presentations recently, where they were handed a framed certificate and winners’ pack from the Trust’s Retention Co-Ordinator, Fiona Duguid.

Laura is a business support manager at Sowenna, which provides inpatient treatment for young people aged between 13 and 18. She has been shortlisted for the Internal Service Star Award after going above and beyond in her role. After receiving the surprise news in front of her work colleagues, Laura admitted it came as a complete surprise.

She says: “I am shocked. It is really nice because I do what I do because I love Sowenna, and it is nice that it has not gone unnoticed. It is a team effort, but times have meant that I have had to do a lot more.

“We are here for the young people and everything we do is for them. Sometimes staffing issues mean you do not have all the people that you need so I do work a lot of late nights, but it is wonderful to support them.

“I was totally blown away, my colleagues are amazing, we do it all together, but they keep telling me I do too much! The fact that they all came on a Monday morning to share that with me was really nice. I did not expect it at all.”

After surprising Laura with the news that she will be heading to London in November for the finals, Fiona paid tribute to her hard work and dedication to Sowenna, which opened in Bodmin in 2019.

She says: “It was an absolute pleasure to be at Sowenna to surprise Laura and to talk to all the team. Quite a few people had already been nominated so it was nice to be here and see the whole team atmosphere. What a great group they are.

“When I spoke to Laura’s managers, Fran Riley, and Leanne Wadey, leading up to this, they were delighted that she had been chosen because everybody here puts in 110%. They were delighted that Laura has been recognised, as were the team.”

Another finalist from the Trust is Andrew Spencer. He is a physical and mental health practitioner for Talking Therapies, based in the Trust offices in Roche. Andrew will join Laura at the WOW! Awards after being shortlisted in the Inspirational Individual Award category.

Andrew has been with the NHS since 2018 and he says the opportunity to give something back to the community is what drives him. After facing some challenging times during the pandemic, he says it is nice to get recognition in a job he is passionate about.

He says: “It is a role I really connect with. We went through a difficult period with lockdown and there was a lot of resilience needed for that. It was a big learning curve then, we did not really expect it, so we all had to pull together.

“I really enjoy my job, it is something I have chosen to do, it is not something I have fallen into accidentally, so I think that is maybe why I have this award. I think it comes through (why I enjoy my job) when I talk about it.

“I wanted to work in the NHS, I was really passionate about it. Not only did I not think I would be able to work in the NHS, but to be awarded this is something I cannot even express.”

Tom Woodward will be joining Laura and Andrew at the awards after he was shortlisted for the Outstanding Management and Leadership Award.

Tom is team manager in psychological services at the Trust’s offices in Roche. He was paid a surprise visit by Fiona during a team meeting and presented with a framed certificate by Amy Dawes, Talking Therapies Team Manager.

He says: “I was really surprised. I was not expecting it at all. With the WOW! Awards I saw some nominations come in and I was just over the moon that people had taken the time to say what they thought and express their appreciation.

“As a manager you are in a position where sometimes you are giving people bad news. It is a fine line that you tread between supporting people and having to be clear about what your expectations are as a manager.

“I have spent so many years as a manager, hoping that I get things right, having feedback that tells me what I do is appreciated. This is not like anything I have ever had before. It is an amazing feeling.

“I am also very humbled by the staff that I manage. They do amazing work with our clients and our patients every single day of the week. I am in a position of awe a lot of the time with the work that they do.”

Laura, Andi, and Tom will now represent the Trust at the WOW! Awards in November, having already been recognised for the work they do within the Trust.

Fiona says: “Along with Laura, it is amazing that out of over 34,000 nominations, Andi and Tom have been selected to attend the national awards ceremony.

“Congratulations to our 3 finalists and everybody who has been nominated and recognised by the WOW! Awards. Finally, thank you to everyone who has made a nomination. This recognition goes a long way in terms of making our colleagues feel recognised and valued.”

Read Trust’s mental health trio wow national judges…