NELFT’s 24/7 mental health crisis assessment hub has been recognised at the recent Design in Mental Health Awards, receiving a highly commended award in the Service User Engagement category.

The recognition highlights the collaborative approach taken to designing the hub, with involvement representatives and people with lived experience playing a central role in shaping the service. The project brought together colleagues from a wide range of professional backgrounds, working alongside service users to ensure the space and service meet the needs of those accessing crisis care.

Involvement representatives who contributed to the project shared their experiences of being part of the design process and attending the awards:

Dawne Howes said:

It was quite an honour as an Involvement Rep to be given the opportunity to support the design of the 24/7 Crisis Assessment Hub.

I thoroughly enjoyed the process which was meticulous and detailed, it was lovely to work with so many practitioners from a wide range of fields, I learned so much from the group

To visit the completed hub and to see it up and running with the group’s design ideas was a wonderful feeling. To know co-production really works whilst realising that NELFT truly value the input of involvement reps and those with lived experience, gives a sense of real belonging and respect.

Receiving the ‘highly commended’ certificate at the Design in Mental Health Awards against such stiff competition made me feel very proud as this was recognition outside of the organisation.

A big thank you to all involved in the project, for including me and my peers.

Yasmeen Shah said:

The award recognition was such an honour to display our talent, hard work and achievement as a strong dedicated team. It really boosted my confidence and gave us a chance to shine in the industry and to share the success with the whole of NELFT.

I am very proud to feel a part of the whole project, and to be able to make major decisions with senior management throughout the past year.

As an service user, it was a huge pleasure that our experience influenced the shape of the crisis hub. Having the opportunity to have an input to ensure the crisis hub was safe, therapeutic, user friendly, and understanding.

What a fantastic day! The event was very inspiring, lots of new ideas to take away for our future projects. Brilliant to see the different suppliers with their stands, offering new innovative products.