“I was stunned by the overall creativity I encountered.”
Mike Eales, psychologist from Star Wards

Star Wards is a project which works with mental health services and Trusts to enhance mental health inpatients’ daily experiences and treatment outcomes. Star Wards discover, celebrate, share, publicise and inspire excellence in inpatient care. The resources provided by the programme can be used and adapted to stimulate and structure therapeutic and enjoyable daily activities for patients.

The project is an exciting venture in which all Cambian hospitals have participated. It’s had a far-reaching effect on staff and patients alike.

There are 75 suggestions that will make psychiatric hospitals better places to be, with more exciting things to do, more choice and more patient involvement in planning their time.

At Cambian, we are not just interested in patients’ health problems. We care about all their daily experiences and want to make their time with us as enjoyable and as valuable as possible. The Star Wards Challenge sets out to do just this. It was devised by a former mental health service user, Marian Janner, so comes from someone who really understands.

To list all the exciting things that are going on would take forever and a fortnight, so here is just a sample:

•WOW Welcome Pack for new clients
•Buddy systems
•Guitar lessons
•Dog walking
•Clients’ participation in interviews for new staff
•Visits to the local golf range
•Pets to care for, from red-tailed kites to tortoises
•Incentive schemes to encourage participation
•Green Gym, where exercise is mixed with conservation activities
•TIPIY group (Taking Pride and Interest in Yourself)
•Exercise plans developed for when clients leave the unit.
•Hair dressing salons
•Unit holidays
•Multi-faith rooms
•Clients show visitors round
•Community meetings for exchange of ideas

Full Monty Awards

These are given to hospitals who have implemented all 75 Star wards ideas. They recognise outstanding effort and achievement.

Every established Cambian hospital has received a Full Monty and St. Augustine’s and Victoria House won’t be far behind, already working towards achieving all the standards.

More information can be found on http://starwards.org.uk/