St bernard's - West London Mental Health NHS Trust

Rhythm of life
Right Corecare
Employee Assistance Programme
“There is quite a lot written about the
therapeutic power of group drumming and as
a music therapist I was interested in exploring
this,” explained David Nicholson, music therapist
based at the John Conolly wing.
The programme was piloted last year and
recently received funding to continue over the
next 12 months. David meets twice a week with
an increasing number of service users in the
Pegasus Centre, together with community drum
artist Kwabena Mehutsekamen, sit in a circle and
play one of the traditional African drums.
The aims of the group are very similar to
those that underpin the music therapy groups,
although the approach is different. “The group
isn’t about teaching traditional music, but works
with the natural power of rhythm and music
to focus on therapeutic goals. We are trying
to give people an opportunity to connect with
the creative part of themselves and, in so doing,
connect with others around them within a safe
environment,” commented David.
It seems to be working, as one service user,
said, “The session was very uplifting and
energising. We worked together as a group and
gradually got into the rhythm.” Another agreed,
“It enabled me to focus my thoughts and clear
my mind of stress.”
Though the group is well attended, they still like
to advertise and do so in a very creative way.
“On the days the group is run, we take some
drums and percussion instruments into the
canteen and play as patients are queuing for
dinner. Service users and staff will often join in,
which has met with universal approval.”
This group is available to all
inpatients and is run on Tuesday
and Thursday evenings between
7pm - 8pm. For further information
please contact David Nicholson,
music therapy department, Pegasus
Centre, John Conolly Wing, or x8355.
The trust’s staff counselling and support
services joined forces with Right Corecare
last year to create a 24/7 telephone
resource service for staff which provides
free confidential advice and support. The
service is flexible in that it operates out of
hours and therefore is able to offer advice
at times to suit employees. They can
assist with queries with regards to bullying
and harassment, personal and emotional
issues, urgent work related issues out of
hours and legal and financial advice.
Due to the current economic climate, there has
been a significant increase in debt related issues
largely due to loss of income through job changes,
illness, divorce or separation and other life changing
events. Statistics show that 15% of adults now
struggle with over £10,000 unsecured debt, fuel
prices have risen by approximately 15% and
transport and food prices have increased by 6%.
Right Corecare have been working with Payplan,
an organisation specialising in debt management.
Adrienne Heeley, director of work life services
at Right Corecare says “at the present time, we
are seeing an increase in the number of people
contacting us for help and also a different profile
of client in difficulty with more acute problems.
We are also seeing an increase in managers
contacting us to source advice and support on
how to manage and monitor employees who are
displaying signs of increased pressure due to the
current economic climate”.
Free advice, information and
counselling is available by calling the
Right Corecare EAP freephone number
0800 1116 387 or you can visit the
website www.eap.rightcorecare.co.uk
what
if...
...stress made
you smarter?
I would be a brain
surgeon or a rocket
s c i e n t i s t f o r s u r e !
We might not have all the answers but
we do have a host of specialists to
provide information and support,
free of charge and in a confidential setting.
V3
Call now on
0800 1116 387
Advice, Information and Counselling
From outside the UK call +44 845 330 5132
Text phone users dial 18001
followed by the full helpline number
Here are some top tips to help beat debt:
eap.rightcorecare.co.uk
•• Calculate your net income and itemise your
expenditure, so you know exactly what you have left
to spend each month.
•• Cut up your credit cards and use a prepaid card
instead.
•• Don’t borrow to get out of debt and never secure
debt against your home.
•• Talk to your creditors about your financial situation –
it’s best to be as open as possible, as early as possible.
•• If you are having problems with your bank, open a
basic account elsewhere and re-direct your salary
there. Leave the first account open to maintain your
overdraft.
•• Do not borrow from another source to meet the
interest payments on an earlier loan.
•• Use comparison websites to ensure you have the
cheapest utilities and phone deals.
•• Cut down where you can e.g. take a packed lunch to
work – it could save £10 a week, which is £500 a year.
18 MENTALHEALTHMATTERS MENTALHEALTHMATTERS 19