by Carol & Eric – Rosewood Involvement Volunteers
Hello again, I’m Carol and I’m conscious that I haven’t done any blogging for ages due to being so busy! Here are some of the things I have been involved in as a volunteer in the last month:
Bassetlaw ‘Live!’ Events
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Recovery Conference at Rampton* (see below)
Interviewing at Wathwood for General Manager and Occupational Therapist
15 Step Challenge at Wathwood and Rampton * (see below)
County Carers Group
Directorate Recovery Involvement Group Meeting at the Ladies Unit at Rampton
Mental Health Awareness Event for Carers
Recovery Stories for Mental Health and Learning Disability at Rampton
Involvement and Experience Group
Meeting about Peer Support in Forensics
Although I have been so busy, the work I have been doing has been very rewarding for me. I hope that I have made a difference in some small way. My own recovery continues which means that I have progressed to supporting new people coming into Rosewood Centre on a Friday.
My Week in Involvement
Hello my name is Eric. I am a volunteer at the Rosewood Involvement Centre in Ollerton. Here is a brief account of my involvement activities over the last week.
I went to the Women’s unit and the Personality Disorder wards to do a ‘15 step challenge’ * this is a way of assessing the feel of a ward on first impression. The things we look out for are basic health and safety, friendliness, décor, patient activity etc.
During the week, I had the privilege of talking to fourth year medical students about my 30 years’ experience of mental instability and subsequent recovery. This session called “Story Shop” took place at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Later in the week, I attended a Recovery Event* at Rampton Hospital where volunteers told their personal stories of Recovery. This was followed by refreshments and then a sing-along performance from The Rosewood Rockers.
The week drew to a close with the usual Music Group in the morning which I lead. We are busily preparing for Christmas with rehearsal’s to be pitch perfect for the festivities!
The following week I had the opportunity to work with an ex-Rampton patient who was just about to move into his own house in the community.He will be telling his own Recovery Story at a conference in December.
Thanks to Carol & Eric for sharing their voluntary work experiences.
For more information about becoming a volunteer or to Volunteer with us
Please contact Jo Rapson: The Involvement Centre 0115 9934567
Our lovely Involvement Frieze by Emma Kitchen