Of course the golden quality and skill of empathy is threaded through every one of the Ward Stars. Mental health inpatient care is rooted in empathy – the ability to share in another’s emotions. The core nursing qualities of compassion, caring, comforting, and kindness are rooted in one’s capacity for empathy. The Empathy Star reflects […]

“One of the most touching things I have seen in my job is a seemingly ‘macho’ man make a birthday card for his daughter. I run an arts and craft group each week, and I have to admit I was surprised that he joined us. He looked really proud of himself about his artistic endeavour. […]

The Involvement Star is about helping inpatients to have a therapeutic, empowering, admission which equips them appropriately for maintaining their health and well-being when they’re back home. Crucial ingredients here are: support, information, inclusion, influence, independence and communication. And of course, communication is a two-way process: giving and receiving. Information (being in the picture) and […]

“And the Generosity Star goes to….” you for generously going beyond the call of duty. You’ve probably noticed by now that Ward Stars is all about how the little things (and the not so little things) add up and create a ripple effect. A key ingredient is generosity. Working on a mental health ward requires extraordinary personal […]

What’s sociable, recreational, physical, therapeutic and fun? Yes, ward activities!  There are so many different types of groups on offer on wards nowadays: along with the classics of problem-solving, community meetings, anxiety management, life skills and art therapies. Juggling, balloon modelling, joke telling, food preparing, nostalgic dances, football tournaments, special theme days… Wards are now […]

Mindfulness is a word we’re hearing quite a lot these days, but what does it really mean? Mindfulness is the art of staying in the moment and cultivating more acceptance. Sound a bit too airy-fairy or even too difficult to do? Well actually, chances are you already use this skill a lot in your job. […]

If you’re a Health Care Assistant, you may have heard or been given the unhelpful ‘unqualified’ label on at least one occasion, when in fact you’re far from ‘unqualified’. HCAs are amazingly talented, and use creative thinking and approaches continuously, and we don’t just mean in arty, crafty ways. If there’s a job that consistently […]