Charitable funding is helping patients at Edward House enjoy more opportunities to have fun, stay active, connect with others and feel more at home in their surroundings.
Patients at Edward House, a mental health ward run by EPUT at The Linden Centre in Chelmsford, are benefiting from a range of new activities and improvements made possible through EPUT Charitable Funds.
The improvements show how creating positive, welcoming environments and providing opportunities to connect with others can support mental wellbeing and recovery.
From colourful hand-painted murals chosen by patients themselves, to table tennis tournaments, games consoles and comfortable new seating, the funding is helping to make everyday life on the wards more enjoyable, while also supporting patients’ wellbeing.
Eight hand-painted wall murals have been created across the wards, with patients involved in choosing the designs. Each mural is different, helping to brighten the wards and make the environment feel less clinical and more personal.
For many patients, Edward House is a temporary home where they may spend a significant amount of time receiving care and treatment. Being involved in decisions about the decoration, look and feel of the wards is therefore particularly important, helping patients feel more comfortable, valued and at home in their surroundings.
The murals have already received compliments from visitors to Edward House, and the team is now looking at expanding the project to more rooms. Giving patients a say in the designs also means they have helped shape the environment they spend their time in, helping to create a greater sense of ownership and making the wards feel more welcoming.
Debbie Ward, Ward Manager at Edward House, said: “Patients have told us how much they like the murals. One said, ‘They make the place look better and more cheerful’, another said, ‘They’re beautiful’, and another said, ‘They’re really nice, I like that I helped pick them out too.’
“When Edward House is someone’s home for a period of time, it’s really important that they have a say in what their surroundings look and feel like. Being involved in choosing the murals helps patients feel that the space is theirs and makes it a more positive place to spend time.”
A portable table tennis table has also proved popular with patients and staff, with regular tournaments taking place every couple of months and small prizes adding to the fun and competitive spirit.
As well as encouraging patients to be active, the tournaments provide opportunities to spend time with other people in a relaxed setting, helping to build positive relationships between patients and staff and create moments of enjoyment within the ward environment.
Sport and physical activity can play an important role in supporting mental wellbeing, helping to improve mood, reduce stress and build confidence. For patients in an inpatient setting, activities such as table tennis can also provide structure, something to look forward to and an opportunity to connect with others.
Debbie said: “It’s really lovely to see patients having fun together and getting involved in activities like table tennis. These might seem like small things, but when you’re spending a long period of time in hospital, having something enjoyable to do and opportunities to spend time with other people can make a real difference.”
The funding has also enabled the service to buy two games consoles, four games and additional controllers for the two wings at Edward House.
Patients can play games together or enjoy some time playing independently. The games include racing games, which can bring people together for some friendly competition, and sports games, which encourage movement and physical activity.
While physical exercise may not appeal to everyone, the games consoles provide another way for patients to get involved in shared activities, regardless of their interests or physical abilities. Playing games together can encourage teamwork, communication and positive social interaction, helping patients build confidence and connections with others.
Debbie added: “It’s really nice to see the impact that even relatively small amounts of charitable funding can have. Something as simple as a mural, a game or somewhere comfortable to sit can make someone’s day a little brighter, help people connect with each other and create a more positive environment.”
These initiatives at Edward House have been made possible through EPUT Charitable Funds, which supports projects that enhance the experience of patients, families, carers and colleagues beyond what NHS funding can provide.
About EPUT:
- EPUT is the lead provider across the East of England region for the delivery of the national Op COURAGE Veterans and Reservists Mental Health Service. More information about Op COURAGE can be found on EPUT’s website www.eput.nhs.uk
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan/