We’ve just been sent the most fantastic article about Leicestershire’s dynamic and super-conscientiously evaluated work on introducing Star Wards. Big congratulations to Imelda, Claire, Nick and colleagues and many thanks for generously sharing your epxeriences with the rest of the Star Wards community. We’d welcome other examples of how wards are finding it with TalkWell.

Leaving aside the extent to which leisure/recreational/cultural issues should be badged as ‘therapeutic’… this sounds like a wonderful experience for patients, and staff. Fintastic. OMC, there was no plaice for carping that day! Anyway, here’s the piece from the excellent (see – I didn’t go angling for a quick laugh with that one) nursingtimes.net. Mental […]

There’s a very interesting article on the BBC’s website about the ways in which our speech can help persuade the people we’re talking to. Their conclusions are precisely the types of outstanding communication skills which staff on mental health wards use continuously to prevent or diffuse potentially explosive situations. These skills are described inTalkWell and […]

Not only does research show that being able to see trees and nature through a window is healing for hospital patients, but now it’s been discovered that even looking at landscape paintings is therapeutic. Here’s what nursingtimes.net reports: Placing pictures of natural landscapes in mental health settings can reduce anxiety levels among service users and, […]

The benefits of having volunteers on wards are multiple and enormous, eg: More time, energy and fresh perspectives on the ward Wide range of skills and interests Local knowledge, contacts and networks Bridging gap between hospital and community Can increase diversity of support available to patients, especially from minority communities (eg faith, BME, lesbian and […]

Buddy and I had a fascinating and deeply enjoyable visit to Alpha Sheffield yesterday. I was particularly excited to hear about their inspired plans for a street party for the royal wedding. Not letting being a secure hospital get in the way, the patients and staff have been energetically planning a traditional street party in […]

Buddy and I are booked onto this workshop at the Science Museum in London. I’m evangelical about the benefits of singing, having taken part in some great singing sessions on wards for elderly people and also being priviliged to hear the Broadmoor Hospital Vocal Group. Inspiredly and inclusively and joyously, the Group members are both […]

  Merry snowyness to all of you. We’ve got some last minute gifts which we hope you’ll enjoy. First off, inspired by Stacy Dangare at SLAM, who mentioned that she’s got Buddy as her screensaver, I’ve flung together some Star Wards’ screensavers, including one with my fave Buddy pics in it. And sticking with computery […]

We’re very grateful for this generous description of Star Wards’ impact as a social enterprise. The article by Katharine Danton, director of research and policy at UnLtd, appeared in Guardian online. What does success look like for social entrepreneurs? How do you know you’ve made it as a social entrepreneur? When you’ve helped your one […]

Pets as therapy, companions, joy-bringers, motivators, exercisers…. We can’t stress enough what a disproportionate impact it makes to patients to have contact with animals, including providing great opportunities for activity and conversation with their visitors. Here’s yet another compelling account, from the BBC’s health website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11734324 Can pigs and goats help people with dementia? By Sharmini Selvarajah […]