CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services)

CAMHS

CAMHS

On behalf of CAMHS, Emelien Waite said: “This was such a lovely surprise to hear that we had been nominated. The last year has been really challenging for Children and Young people in Swindon and the team have worked hard to learn new ways of working to continue to be able to provide specialist mental health support.”

CAMHS were nominated by Barbara Parry, who said: “CAMHS have adapted to the Covid restrictions brilliantly and continued to successfully deliver mental health treatment and support to Swindon young people throughout this very difficult time. It does not bear thinking about what the outcome might have been were it not for them being able to do so. They are an incredible team of very highly skilled, qualified, knowledgeable and dedicated professionals. Through their continued efforts over the past year particularly, I am convinced, will have saved many lives and created so many positive changes to the lives of all of the young people they help and support. They are not only highly skilled, qualified, knowledgeable, experienced professionals, they are a team of genuinely kind and caring individuals with such a lovely 'bedside manner’. They are truly in touch with their parents, in the sense of how well they understand them, care for them and support them, according to their individual needs. Thank you so much CAMHS for all that you have done and continue to do for the children and young people of Swindon.”

Curtis Flux

Parish councillor and community campaigner

Curtis Flux

Curtis Flux

Curtis said: “I am very surprised and delighted to hear of my nomination, let alone being announced as a finalist for the Wiltshire and Swindon health care awards. This is great recognition for everyone who helps support the residents of our community. We must remember that mental health support is an ongoing challenge we must continue to fight and push for further improvements locally and nationally. I’d also like to say thank you to everyone who nominated me. This really does mean a lot.”

He was nominated by a lady called Kayleigh, who said: “He has delivered over 500 lots of shopping and over 400 prescriptions for local elderly and vulnerable people and has raised thousands of pounds for local and homeless charities. He also paid for and provided over 100 food parcels to families in the local community. Curtis works with and takes calls on a daily basis from local residents with mental health issues or people struggling with loneliness and social isolation. He is also in the process of setting up a new community support group helping residents with mental health issues in Park South, offering catch-up groups, dance clubs, book clubs and more. Working to find and support new community initiatives which help or improve people’s mental health takes up many days and hours in his week but he really is a great pillar of the community."

Julie Mattinson

Director of IPSUM

Julie Mattinson

Julie Mattinson

Julie said: “‘I feel honoured and overwhelmed. The accolade of being recognised for all the work done to create Ipsum, a mental health charity that everyone is able to access is truly amazing. Thank you so much for the recognition.”

She was nominated by Aimee Mumford, who said: “Julie has continued to work throughout the pandemic bringing mental health and well being to those in Swindon and surrounding areas. When most places were sadly forced to close she created a hub of life online for IPSUM clients even taking counselling sessions to over the phone. She has worked extremely hard for funding and will now be supporting a wider age range within Swindon. IPSUM is a tiny charity compared to some other mental health charities and Julie has insured not only the best well being for her staff members but also for current service users and taking on more people. I just feel like Julie needs to be recognised for all the meetings, phone calls, research, team building, securing funding and hard work she has put into making IPSUM continue to be open in a pandemic. A lot of people came to us because other services were closing or not able to function and she has embraced everyone. For me personally Julie really gives you that sense of zest for life, empowerment and the encouragement to be who you want to be and to work on the best version of yourself. I will never know how to thank her for taking a chance on me from service user to team member and it seems fitting that she is recognised for her hard work and dedication."