Publish date: 19 December 2024
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) is the largest specialist provider of mental health, learning disabilities and autism services in the south west and one of the largest in the country, with around 5,000 staff supporting a population of 1.9million people.
As we approach the festive season, this winter edition of our Thinking Ahead newsletter provides a snapshot of the work we’re doing to provide high quality, compassionate mental health, learning disability and autism care for the people we serve.
We would also like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and safe 2025.
Bringing festive cheer into mental health wards
Throughout December we will be handing out vouchers to all those who are in one of our wards and units in the run up to Christmas. The initiative is funded by the Trust’s in-house charity, Headlight.
The vouchers will enable patients to choose gifts, treats, or experiences during their hospital stay. Each voucher is designed to provide a personal touch, allowing patients to select items that resonate with their individual tastes and preferences.
Support over the festive period
We have produced some resources to support people over the festive period. Our staff have recorded short videos with advice for those who may be struggling with the pressures this time of year can bring. There is also additional tips for anyone experiencing stress, anxiety or depression, and links to local and national services which can help too.
You can check out our festive resources page here.
Signposting to mental health support
We have also produced a simple graphic to help anyone who may need support with their mental health over the holiday period. This includes links to local and national support and advice on where to go if you or someone you know needs urgent or emergency support. Click here to download our graphic or follow us on our social media channels for more advice over the Christmas period.
Introducing The Kingfisher!
The Kingfisher has been unveiled as the name of a new specialist mental health inpatient service for people across the south west with learning disabilities and autism. 
Based at Blackberry Hill in Bristol, The Kingfisher will provide tailored mental health care and support including in and out reach models of care.
The kingfisher represents hope, healing, and vibrancy, and can often be spotted flying along the nearby River Frome. The image and symbolism of this unique creature aligns with our vision for a service which is creative, connected to the environment and which promotes independence. We want to thank all those service users, carers, staff and anyone who took the time to propose a name and to vote.
Trust secures investment to support mood disorders research
We have been awarded more than three quarters of a million pounds to support research into mood disorders and it’s symptoms. The award from the National Institute of Health Research, Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC), supports the set up and implementation of a Mood Disorders Research Clinic running across the AWP patch which includes Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire.
This will provide a liaison-style service for anyone diagnosed with a mood disorder and those experiencing symptoms consistent with a mood disorder.
Support for gambling addiction
Our South West Gambling Service continues to raise awareness of the harmful impact gambling can have, and where to get support if you need it. The service includes a range of interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and will offer people the very latest evidence-based treatments and support.
Click here to find out more, or you can refer yourself by calling 0330 022 3175.
Celebrating diversity: AWP recognised among the UK's Top Inclusive Employers
We have been named one of the UK’s top employers for diversity and inclusion, securing a place on the 2024/25 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List (IT50). As one of only three NHS Trusts on the list, this achievement reflects our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Find out more here.
Proud to be NHS Veteran Aware
We are delighted to have been reaccredited as an NHS Veteran Aware organisation. Accreditation aims to ensure that patients from the Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged when accessing healthcare. Accredited trusts do this by developing, sharing and driving the implementation of best practice, at the same time aiming to raise standards for everyone accessing NHS trusts in England. Accreditation is overseen by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
Trust takes top award for reducing reliance on temporary staff
AWP has won a national award after reducing spending on temporary staff by 58%. The Trust was one of six winners at the RLDatix Awards 2024, picking up the Sustainable Organisation Award.
The project ‘Controlling Agency Expenditure & Usage’ focused on managing the cost of agency workers and reducing the Trust’s need to hire high-cost temporary staff at short notice. In August this year AWP spent £1.9 million on agency staffing, compared to £3.1 million in August 2023.
Welcome Paul Miller as our new Trust Chair
We are delighted to announce that Paul Miller has now joined us as our new Trust Chair. Paul said: “In my role as Chair I will be a champion and advocate for local mental health, learning disability and autism services and alongside the rest of the leadership team, will continue to drive the Trust’s commitment to providing high quality, compassionate care to people across the south west."
Check out our new Working Together newsletter
Our first Working Together Newsletter is out now and was co-produced by patients, service users, their family, friends, staff and carers at AWP. The newsletter aims to highlight the benefits of working together to collaborate and create improved mental health services for all – as well as being an interesting and fun read.
There are hundreds of career choices on offer at AWP, from frontline clinical roles through to non-clinical administration and support roles, including apprenticeships.
Many roles support flexible working so that you can manage other commitments and still make a vital contribution to the work we do.
Visit our jobs page to find the perfect role at AWP for you.
