Communication and humility at heart of approach, says mental health trust

Talking about mental health is crucial to helping enhance care for people in Norfolk.

That was one of the key messages to people attending the Annual General Meeting of the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

Key points

Speaking during the event, trust chair Zoe Billingham said it was appropriate the event was held on World Mental Health Day as a time to reflect on the importance of speaking about mental health.

“We are only going to be successful as a leadership team by talking to our service users, families, governors and staff. Together we can continue to drive improvement,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer Caroline Donovan told the audience that “we want to be kind in every intervention we have”.

And although progress was being made, she said it was important to maintain humility and recognise there was still work to be done and that the trust was getting the right structure in place for the future.

Members of the board gave reports on the year and chair of governors Rebecca Toye talked about how she and her colleagues were connecting with the trust membership through attendance at events, site visits and drop ins.

“We are the critical friends to the trust, ensuring the service user and carer voice informs what the trust does,” she said.

The AGM

Before the meeting, visitors were able to chat to NSFT teams who had set up stands showcasing their work, including carers leads, participation, veterans, membership, early intervention in psychosis and research, plus information on the Green Minds Therapy Garden at Wedgwood House in Bury St Edmunds.

You can watch a video review of the NSFT year below: