Derry Social Workers making a change in the local community

Derry Social workers, Roisin Cartmill and Caroline Stack, who currently work at Clarendon Medical in Derry, have been supporting patients through the Wellbeing Programme they founded.

Roisin and Caroline and the team managed to secure £92,000 of funding for their vital wellbeing programme that supports patients through their journey, now with the help of other patients as part of the Patient's Committee.

The ladies have been at Clarendon Medical for nearly four years through the new initiative Primary Care, MDT. It is a partnership between the Trust, the GP Federation and the Department of Health. They set up the new social work service supporting patients at Clarendon.

Speaking to Derry News, Roisin explained: "The services are about changing perspective from what we can't do- with everything going on at the moment- and changing it to what we can do. We had to turn it around and focus on the hope. 

"We then decided to apply for the funding for the wellbeing programme. A lot of organisations want figures and statistics but the IDEAS Fund wanted a researcher and peer mentors and really supported this plan; and it was then we got the £92,000 funding to run the programme.

"We started with just £500 of funding. We then grew into Yellow Wood and then we got the grant and now the programme continues to grow from strength to strength. We wanted to make positive change and I can see the change happening."

Everyone joined together, with help from others within the community including patients, and applied for the grant from the IDEAS Fund which Roisin describes as "an absolutely amazing fund."

Roisin and Caroline were the drivers of the idea and the coordinators of the initial plans to kickstart the wellbeing programme. However, Roisin said they could not have achieved it without the team, "It became all about teamwork. We had a vision and we wanted to build community and this programme," Roisin continued.

"It would have been impossible to achieve without the funds and all the support. We had initially worked with doctors Ann Tracey, Fiona Bell and Rosemary Bradley, they were our therapists; three absolutely amazing therapists. 

"The Wellbeing programme idea came about because the patients had so many assets and so many talents so we wanted to increase the capacity so that when the funds run out, we can continue the programme and have patients facilitating other patients with training and support; they are an amazing bunch."

Roisin said that first and foremost launching the initial programme was about "supporting patients and allowing them to support their own journey."

Roisin added: "We wanted everyone to learn how to take care of themselves first. Self care was the initial goal; the journey of wellbeing.

"It was so transformative and the patients then wanted to do that for other patients. Here we are now, with our wellbeing programme."

Clarendon Medical, Roisin, Caroline and the team held their first wellbeing event on Saturday (March 25) with a Family Arts and Craft workshop which was a great success.

One of the patients, Noma, originally from Zimbabwe and now residing in Derry, said Saturday's event was a great opportunity and the programme has "changed her life."

"I greatly appreciate the opportunity that I have been given by Clarendon Medical to facilitate this event," Noma said.

"Being part of the patient's committee has really changed my life in many ways as a new resident in Derry. 

"It has helped with my integration to the City of craic. I have met lovely people and made great friends. I learn new things every day and have gained sound knowledge from the gifted people that this community holds."

Noma continued: "There is no better feeling than giving back to the community and I am grateful to have been of service to all the lovely people that attended our Family Art and Craft event. 

"The smiles, laughter, joy, creative arts, stories, and good food we shared today will make lasting memories. Seeing all those weans' faces light up brought me so much joy and satisfaction."

The team aims to hold more events throughout the year, including a music therapy workshop, a crystal workshop, two art therapy workshops and a coaching mentor workshop. 

Roisin added: "The event was a great success and was so lovely to see so many happy faces. We all need a good news story in these hard times."