Celebrating our people and our progress

This week we received an incredibly grateful thank you from a caller who needed advice regarding her 94-year-old mother. Sharon, a Triage Clinician within the Older Adult Community Services team was praised by the caller for listening with genuine care and understanding during a discussion about her mother’s mental health referral. She described Sharon’s kindness and professionalism as truly special and wanted her efforts to be recognised and shared with others.

We regularly receive positive feedback through our Friends and Family Test (FFT) about the great support and care our teams and services deliver. FFT is different from compliments or complaints and is an opportunity for service users, carers and family members that access our services to comment on their experiences.

BHM North
“Since this is the first time I opened up to someone about what’s weighing on my mind; I didn’t really expect it to go as well as it did. I feel like an idiot with how nervous I was, since their advice, although affirmed being just Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and not a Councillor or Therapist etc., provided well advice that changed my perspective positively. And now with a sense of direction, including available options like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Gave well put, straight answers to my concerns – it made the conversation flow since I was heard, and they explained themselves really well. In fact, things flowed so well I have not realised the amount of time that elapsed.”

Perinatal Community – Solihull
“The team were very welcoming and friendly, they created a really nice environment for me and my baby, they encouraged me to stick with it even when my baby’s crying was getting to me. I feel more confident in myself as a mother and in the bond I have with my baby now. Absolutely. The girls were asking questions the following week about things I discussed the previous week which was nice because they had listened and remembered to ask about it.”

MHSOP South HUB
“Before Robert’s visit i was extremely fed up and depressed , I look forward to him visiting and we talk about My Life to make a book Robert is very patient with me and caring  today we talked about things I like  I love the sound of music so he found songs on his phone and we sang I remembered all the words I felt a million dollars and was  bucked for the rest of the day long after he left I can’t wait for the next visit. Robert is so patient and understanding.”

Neuropsychiatry
“Aimie has been a safe space where I can discuss my symptoms. Aimie really has helped by just being her beautiful self. Having an illness where many still think is psychological, is a battle in itself. Thank you so much for believing me, and for being so wonderful, supportive, helpful and encouraging. Thank you so much for making it safe for me to be so open with you about everything else as well. You have helped tremendously and it was always a delight to see you.”

MHSOP South HUB
“Before Roberts visit i was extremely fed up and depressed , I look forward to him visiting and we talk about My Life to make a book  Robert is very patient with me and caring  today we talked about things I like  I love the sound of music so he found songs on his phone and we sang I remembered all the words I felt a million dollars and was  bucked for the rest of the day long after he left I can’t wait for the next visit. Robert is so patient and understanding.”

Neuropsychiatry
“Aimie has been a safe space where I can discuss my symptoms. Aimie really has helped by just being her beautiful self. Having an illness where many still think is psychological, is a battle in itself. Thank you so much for believing me, and for being so wonderful, supportive, helpful and encouraging. Thank you so much for making it safe for me to be so open with you about everything else as well. You have helped tremendously, and it was always a delight to see you.”

This week, David, a Psychological Therapist in the one of the Birmingham Healthy Minds (BHM|) East team received a grateful thank you from one of his service users. They thanked him for always listening to them and offering great support, including teaching them coping mechanisms.

Mehreen, our North Psychological Therapist also received some really positive feedback from a service user who appreciated the safe, non-judgmental space that made it much easier for them to open up and for helping them recognise and work through unhelpful thought patterns in a constructive way.

Thank You to you both – it is clear your care and compassion had a very positive impact on these service users.

We regularly receive positive feedback through our Friends and Family Test (FFT) about the great support and care our teams and services deliver. FFT is different from compliments or complaints and is an opportunity for service users, carers and family members that access our services to comment on their experiences. Please do take time to read the comments below:

Forward Thinking Birmingham STICK Service – Early Help CAMHS
“Laura did one on one sessions with my daughter at school during a time when her anxiety was really bad and during a challenging crisis, this was invaluable and my daughter found the sessions really helpful. Laura was also a great support to me during this time, and I really appreciated her calls and also the recommendation for the SPACE course and help with SEDS assessment. Laura was a great
support to me during a challenging time!

Clinical Health and Neuropsychology
“I have received help from the neuropsychiatry service for M.E/Chronic Fatigue run by the Barberry Centre. I have been treated with sensitivity and understanding throughout. It was eye opening and encouraging to hear experiences of others during the group sessions arranged by Aimee. It made me feel seen and included.
Aimee was very kind and was good enough to consult with Dr Silva on my behalf. They both enabled my GP to alter my medications to more appropriate ones for my pain. Specifically heard and understood in respect of ME.”

Dialectical Behaviour Team (DBT)
“I genuinely am so grateful and I really appreciate the team ever so much and the group has actually helped me in a sense I have come out of my shell, out my comfort zone and learnt and acknowledged that talking about issues is okay. and it made me also realise I’m not alone and many more people are that position too. It made me feel heard and understood, I also feel like the people in the group really
made it welcoming and feel like home. 100% they were all so good and listening and making sure our voices are heard and that we are looked after. I’m so grateful for this experience!”

MHSOP South HUB
“The service has always been efficient. The nurse health assessment was very thorough. The nurse was informative and kind thank you I feel verry grateful that may mother is under the care of the team at the Juniper centre.”

Forward Thinking Birmingham Substance Misuse
“Mike has been very helpful and always listens to anything I have to say. He helps and gives me practical support and explains things in ways that makes sense to me. Also, I am able to give my opinions and be in charge of my treatment.”

Birmingham Healthy Minds South
“I’ve had a really meaningful experience working with Lee. I’ve struggled with social anxiety for a long time, and opening up hasn’t always been easy, but he made me feel comfortable and at ease from the start. He listens with genuine care and understanding, which made a big difference for me. Over our sessions, he’s given
me practical tools that have helped me manage my social anxiety in everyday situations. I have noticed a real improvement in my confidence and how I manage social situations. Yes, I absolutely felt heard and understood. My therapist Lee listens carefully and creates a space where you feel comfortable being open.”

Solar
“I just want to feedback how supported Stacia has made me feel as a mum. She spoke to me today with such kindness but also so much realism that I’ve not really had throughout our son’s support journey. Thanks again Stacia for making me feel heard and for the current support you are giving my son.”

Zinnia Centre South Day Services
“The course is very well thought out and delivered to a high standard. All staff were brilliant. I couldn’t fault them or this course. Highly recommend and would do it all again.”

This week have received some lovely feedback for Birmingham Healthy Minds (BHM) colleagues. Service users have recognised Malika Sahonta, Sharon Singh and Ruby (Employment Advisors) for their exceptional support, compassion and expertise. They highlighted how they felt listened to, never judged and supported with tailored advice during challenging times. The encouragement, practical guidance and dedication from Mailk, Sharon and Ruby helped build the service users confidence and enabled them to take positive steps forward, including gaining employment and returning to work successfully.

We have also received a special Thank You for Jade Wood, High Intensity Psychological Therapist. A service user she has supported has thanked her for her ‘immeasurable help’ and said that she has learned so much from Jade.

And finally, Sukh Sahota (Psychological Therapist) had a Thank You from one of her service users saying that without Sukh, they don’t know where they would have found themselves and felt that she was sent to find them and put them back together.

A huge Thank You to Mailka, Sharon, Ruby, Jade and Sukh for the care and compassion you have given to your service users.

We regularly receive positive feedback through our Friends and Family Test (FFT) about the great support and care our teams and services deliver. FFT is different from compliments or complaints and is an opportunity for service users, carers and family members that access our services to comment on their experiences.

Please do take time to read the comments below:

CMHT Adult Longbridge“ Art therapy was unlike any other type of therapy I have had. I felt I could explore myself in deeper ways at my own pace, it was a very valuable experience which I could not have had anywhere else. I am very grateful to Debbie specially. ”Referral Management Centre (Children and Young People’s service) “The lady I spoke to was incredibly patient and took the time to listen to my concerns without rushing me. I appreciated that they updated my notes accurately and are providing me with my next steps, ensuring I am headed in the right direction for further support.”

Bergamot  “Staff have been so friendly and helpful looking after my mother in such a gentle way. I wish staff on Bergamot could come home with her. Always taking on board my views and has been truly a great experience for me and my family as we didn’t know what to expect. Thanks to the team on Bergamot especially the nurses and support workers. Fantastic team.” Health Instructors “I feel much better about my balance now. I didn’t think exercise would work but it does. All my questions were answered.”

Angie Lo, Psychological Therapists in the West Birmingham Health Minds team had a grateful thank you from one of her service users. He appreciated Angie’s professionalism, willingness to listen and kindness and says he will use the skills he learnt.

Thank You for your care and compassion, Angie.

We regularly receive positive feedback through our Friends and Family Test (FFT) about the great support and care our teams and services deliver. FFT is different from compliments or complaints and is an opportunity for service users, carers and family members that access our services to comment on their experiences. Please do take time to read the comments below:

FTB STICK Service- Early Help CAMHS

“I wanted to take a moment to give feedback about Emma and the support she has provided, because it has genuinely made a significant difference to me and my family. Emma has been one of the first professionals I have worked with who has truly listened to me. From the beginning, she has shown understanding, patience, and compassion and I have never felt dismissed or judged when speaking with her. That in itself has meant a lot, especially when navigating complex and often overwhelming situations.”

Perinatal Community – Solihull “Caroline was my support and she was amazing! She gave me confidence in myself and in what I was doing. She helped me manage my baby whilst trying to prepare food from scratch that I could batch cook. It was a struggle but with Caroline’s help I persevered and I found the confidence to believe in what I was doing. She also helped me to be able to get out of the house and eventually attend a playgroup which was fantastic. I would never have got this far without her support! Absolutely each team member I have come into contact with had been brilliant. Holly was a great support helping me to manage mealtimes and bedtimes,”

MHSOP Solihull HUB “I’ve achieved enormous amount from it. I’m less confrontational, no suicidal thoughts or harm thoughts. Hasaam and Yusra have been really helpful. They have helped me believe in myself. Many thank yous.”

Homeless Primary Care Mental Health “The staff at the health exchange go above and beyond to help you with anything if they can, they will. Excellent team, thank you. Very easy to talk to the staff. Make you feel relaxed and comfortable and safe. Once again thank you.”