Linkwork at Bethlem Hospital

Linkworkers Required

‘Help Us Reinvent The Universe Or At Least Our Part Of It’

We campaign to improve quality of life for Croydon Mental Health Service Users.

Poster for the Linkworker Project on Gresham Wards at the Bethlem Royal Hospital Hear Us have started a new project called ‘Linkworking’ and we require a team of people that have or use Croydon’s Mental Health Services in particular those that have been an inpatient on the wards at Bethlem Royal Hospital.

The Linkworker Team will help in-patient service users have a positive impact on the ward environment & to improve the in-patient experience of Croydon Service Users on Alex Ground House Floor, Gresham 1 & 2 and GPICU . This will include:-

Finding out service users views, concerns and ideas for change and communicating them to key staff
Supporting service user involvement in day to day activities that makes life better
Monitoring changes and improvements

The ability to listen and communicate are essential

Full Training will be given

‘One small step for service users and one giant leap for Service User-kind’

Tel: 020 8681 6888 Email: hear.us@hear-us.org

Linkworkers Comments

I have tried various types of volunteering in the past, but because of the side effects of medication, it was difficult to commit to anything other than how I would come across in other people’s judgement.

Have been a member of Hear Us for quite a while but I haven’t been very active. The advert for Link Workers caught my eye. This involves visiting the wards and Day Centres. Talking to the Service Users about how they are treated, and the service’s provided as a whole or even the meals provided.

Training was given in three sessions covering communication skills running meetings and situations that may arise. There is also a session with staff. I found that the training with communication, particularly useful, as I found being assertive very difficult. Also I found it very helpful training with other service users, that I could relate to.

Linkworkers Comments

I have been a service user for a number of years and decided to offer something back in return. I noticed the advertisement in the Hear-us magazine and decided to apply. I was apprehensive at first but focused on what I wanted to do. I found that during my stay in hospital there was not always somebody to speak to, to sort out problems for you, you are not always up to doing it yourself and if you haven't got the necessary family backing then it can be quite tough. I realise from personal experience how important it is to get that moral support from somebody who cares about your complaints. I have found the training very useful in building confidence, having been in advertising for 15 years I have the experience of dealing with clients and am able to structure that knowledge around them. Having received my first certificate for the course is a great boost and I look forward to the next one. The whole team are extremely nice and all have the same aims and that is serving others through a difficult time. We have good support from our team leader, you are not expected to work on your own, we build from each others experience and knowledge, which is always a positive thing. I look forward to bringing a positive and emphatic impact to the team.