Rethink's excellence of service recognised by Carer of the Year award

Warwickshire Mental Health Employment Service was among the winners at the recent 102TouchFM Pride of Warwick District Awards as the Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth.

The service, which is part of the Active Inclusion in Warwickshire project, funded by the European Social Fund and Warwickshire County Council, was recognised for its excellence of service when it won the Carer of the Year award

It was also nominated among the finalists for the Community Impact Award and The Pride of Warwick Award. 

The mental health element of the service, delivered by Rethink, supports people who have been involved with secondary Mental Health Services and helps them into work or to retain their current employment.

The three nominations recognise the fantastic work done in the local community by the whole team: Service manager Nicola Hall and team members Thomas Gibbons, Karen Twigger, Louise Salt, Senita Jassi, Marc Woodley, Patrick Greenfield, Jan Richards and Julie Horseman.

Along with senior management Michaila Tope and Melanie Lewis, they have worked tirelessly to continuously improve the service for the benefit of Warwickshire residents.

Nicola Hall, service manager, said: "It has been a fantastic effort from all of the team at the operational level of the service through to the senior management team. We have all worked together to contribute to the continued improvement and development of the service and it is now so rewarding to see all of our hard work paying off.

"This recognition is a credit to the team who have worked so hard and have remained so committed to the service users they support."

This year the service has supported 193 people and helped 11 people with severe and enduring mental health issues to achieve employment. Rethink has also developed a database of over 200 local employers to work with to try and secure work placements and employment for service-users.

The service has received much positive feedback from service- users, professionals and employers. Feedback includes that service-users were "treated with respect," "listened to non-judgmentally" and felt that it is "an excellent service that really helped me to focus on getting back into work."

Cllr Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “We know that being in work is good for your mental health. Mental health is a problem that will affect everyone, either directly or indirectly, and agencies in Warwickshire are making it their responsibility to help break the stigma of mental health and support individuals to get back into paid work.

"I would like to congratulate every member of the Rethink team for this achievement and I am pleased that their dedication has been recognised."

If you are an employer interested in supporting a person with mental health difficulties to gain employment, or would like support from the service, please contact Rethink on 01926 419227.

Further details can be found at:  https://www.rethink.org/services-groups/services/warwickshire-employment-service