Health workers say winning award feels 'amazing'

The carers assessment service is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Health workers say it “feels amazing” to be recognised for their work with unpaid carers.

The carers assessment service run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has won an NHS England award for its education course.

It is designed to help the “dedicated and selfless” people who look after loved ones with mental health conditions.

A manager of the service said it was set up after “many requests” to support carers who frequently go unrecognised in the community.

The sessions provide support to carers of people who are known to community mental health teams, use dementia services, use child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), or are in mental health inpatient wards.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's deputy manager for the service, Samantha Pike, said: “Over the last few years we’ve had many requests from carers for support and education on the needs of mental health carers.

“The aim of our course was to create a supportive environment for people caring for those with a mental health condition using self-management education."

'Really proud'

Topics covered in the sessions include understanding mental health conditions, supporting people with mental health challenges to make changes, conflict and crisis, dealing with emotional distress and a relaxation session, as well as understanding mental health medications.

The service won the NHS England 'Giving Confidence Award' for the team's contribution to supporting personalised care.

Ms Pike said it felt "amazing" to have won and added she was "really proud" of the team.

“Carers in general are an unrecognised part of our society and just every little thing we can do to support that is really important for them as well.

“We’re very much a tiny part of the organisation, but we’re privileged every day to have carers sharing their stories with us, and then be able to think about what we can do to support them," she said.

The trial course was set up in partnership with the carers assessment service, the Somerset Recovery College and homelessness charity St Mungo’s.