Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

We’re looking for people who are passionate about healthcare to become a public governor for EPUT and help make a difference and shape patient care. Governors play a vital role in representing the views of their community and in decisions that will shape the future of the Trust. Learn more about the role, what’s involved and the nomination process at one of our virtual workshops. 📅 Our next virtual workshop is on Monday 28 April, 12 noon – 1pm. 🔗 To book a place, visit: https://ow.ly/VjLT50VBvnj Interested in becoming a member? Visit the EPUT website to learn more: https://ow.ly/grVI50VBvnk

A speech and language therapist is using her personal experience of autism to help ensure patients receive the best support at EPUT. This World Autism Acceptance Month, Georgia Munns explains how many years of living with undiagnosed autism and attempting to navigate a world that misunderstood her needs, drives her to help others. Georgia, who is from Thurrock, specialises in supporting adults with learning disabilities, improving access to services and ensuring personalised care. She works with patients who face significant challenges in their daily lives, and their families and carers, helping them navigate social situations, communicate effectively, and improve their quality of life. She said: "I’ve always felt a drive to challenge inequality and bring awareness to the diversity of human experience. My team is focused on reducing health and social inequalities for adults with learning disabilities by supporting them to receive better access to opportunities and services. “A lot of the patients we work with have co-occurring conditions; a common one being autism. Through researching the distinctions between autism and learning disability, I found ways in which I could personally relate to our patients. Being autistic has allowed me to empathise with my patients, enabling me to provide tailored support that meets their unique needs. “I aim to help those with learning disabilities access opportunities and services that will improve their lives. I approach care through the social model of disability, which moves away from trying to 'fix' something about the individual, and instead involves learning about their strengths and how we can leverage them to support their goals and reduce barriers." Georgia was diagnosed with autism in April last year. In her school days, she worried if she would be socially adept enough to have a job, but is now thriving in her career supported by her team and managers, and without fear of stigma. Georgia’s experiences have shaped her advice for other neurodivergent people looking for a career. She said: "Being upfront about your needs and how you manage them is key to finding a workplace where you can thrive. It’s essential to know your rights and understand that being neurodivergent doesn’t mean you can’t be successful in the workplace—it just means finding the right environment where you can be supported." Georgia is leading by example, showing that neurodiversity should not only be understood but celebrated. Her work has not only improved the lives of patients but also helped raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in both healthcare and the workplace. #WorldAutismAcceptanceMonth #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness

Two members of a specialist mental health team in Southend have been shortlisted for a national award for their work with people facing homelessness. Sarah Power, Senior Psychotherapist and Dramatherapist, and Kayleigh Reardon, an Advanced Mental Health Occupational Therapist, are part of EPUT’s Rough Sleepers Mental Health Team (RSMHT). The pair have been shortlisted for the award for creative and innovative practice in the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2025. Sarah has been using art and drama to empower vulnerable women in Southend to explore and express their feelings freely and safely. Kayleigh has been helping the people she works with to access meaningful and fulfilling activities that contribute to improved health, well-being, and social inclusion. She works with services to promote stable and appropriate housing, offer mental health support through drop in sessions and provide supportive environments to enable individuals to rebuild their lives. The work that Sarah and Kayleigh have been shortlisted for is among a number of creative ways in which the RSMHT work with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Read more at https://ow.ly/vBsy50Vuwk3

We were delighted to welcome EPUT’s new Chair, Hattie Llewelyn-Davies, to her first meeting of our Trust Board on Wednesday. Hattie joined us on 1 April and is now busy meeting the staff, volunteers and partners who deliver our mental health, community health and learning disability services across Essex and beyond. During the Board meeting she heard about the work of our Employment service which is delivered in partnership with charity, Employ-Ability, and helps people who have been receiving mental health care settle into paid employment. Hattie has extensive experience as Chair of a number of NHS organisations and has held a number of chief executive and senior management roles in the housing and homelessness sector. She was awarded an OBE for services to homeless people in 2004. Welcome to the EPUT family Hattie.

Delivering the best care possible for our patients means having the right information at the right time to support the best possible outcomes. In this clip, Gladvine Mundempilly explains how this new, first-of-type EPR system will improve collaboration, and ultimately put patients at the centre of their care like never before. It's a fundamental shift in how we care for our communities. Watch the full video to learn more. #Nova #EPR #TransformingCare https://lnkd.in/eKJ52sSg Sam Neville Dilshan Arawwawala Gurminder Khamba Rebecca Pulford Stevan C Wing

A hospital ward is bringing patients and their families together over tea, cake and crafts. The monthly Craft-Tea sessions at Meadowview ward at Thurrock Hospital give them time together and to learn something new. The ward consultant, matron and ward staff also attend and join in with these sessions, so they can meet and speak to families and carers in an informal setting. Meadowview provides care for older people living with dementia and other mental illness.

To coincide Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17 to 23 March), Ella Topping, a Clinical Audit Facilitator at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, shares how her recent diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism helped her discover more about herself. She said: “I’ve lived my whole life feeling ‘different’ and never knowing why. “Finding out I was neurodivergent was not only a relief, but also a really challenging thing to process and internalise. Suddenly, my identity wasn’t so clear anymore and I found myself asking a new question: who am I? “Slowly but surely I have learned above all else to accept the way I am and to appreciate my neurodivergence for what it has given me. “It’s the reason I’m good at writing, the reason I took so easily to music as a child, the reason for my unshakeable sense of right and wrong and of justice and fairness. “I wanted to share my story for anyone who is exploring diagnosis or has recently been diagnosed. “You can’t expect to reframe your entire life existence in the space of a few weeks. “But seeking support and community really helps that process and can make you feel much less alone.” Read Ella’s full story at https://ow.ly/lOmB50VlglN

Social workers play a key role in helping people who use mental health services to live the life they want. For World Social Work Day (18 March), Steve Ritson, a student social worker at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), explains why he decided to join the profession. Steve said: “Social work is important to mental health because it involves quite a lot of different areas. “People may be affected by social isolation, family matters, or drugs or alcohol. They could even be involved with neighbours’ disputes. There are lots and lots of different things that can be affecting their mental health. “As a social worker, you have to navigate and be a bit of a social detective and help people, and basically you can make a big difference to people’s lives and people do rely on you quite heavily to navigate all those different areas in order to improve their mental health.” Steve is one of more than 150 social workers employed at EPUT. The Trust runs two main training routes into employment - the Think Ahead Social Work training programme and social worker apprenticeship. Read more about Steve’s story at https://ow.ly/vGCz50VjOBf

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that our Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner Service in Basildon and Brentwood has been shortlisted for a prestigious HSJ Digital Award! 🎉 This recognition highlights our commitment to innovative mental health care. Thank you to our dedicated team 💙 Read the full story: https://ow.ly/U7eQ50Vjebi #MentalHealth #HSJAwards

A team who provide hospital-level care for patients at home have been shortlisted in the #HSJDigitalAwards for Improving Out of Hospital Care through Digital. Our West Essex Hospital at Home service uses innovative remote monitoring equipment to complement in-person care. Bluetooth technology transmits individual readings straight to the clinical teams via a tablet supplied to the patient by our partner, Doccla. This enables staff to safely and effectively monitor patients and intervene quickly if their health deteriorates. Nicole Rich, Director of West Essex Community Health Services at EPUT, said: “Combining the expertise of a multi-disciplinary team and advanced monitoring equipment enables us to look after people safely and effectively at home. “This means patients who don’t need to be in hospital are able to receive hospital care and remain in more familiar and comfortable surroundings, which supports faster recovery.” Martin Ratz, Doccla founder, said: “EPUT was one of Doccla’s very first clients nearly four years ago, and it’s amazing to see that, even after all this time, they continue to innovate and improve their virtual care service.” Read more about how the technology used by the West Essex Hospital at Home team enhances in-person care: https://ow.ly/UY4N50Vj5jq