"People of different types of personality were polarised."

Malvern ward

The Sense of community project hasn’t been directed at the individual diagnoses on the ward. I felt that big personality’s tried to rule the roost and patients with smaller personalities tended to get overlooked or misunderstood and their ideas invalidated.

The effect is then negative for the latter group. They have skills that are not being recognized, used, valued or validated. I have valued my independence and being strong minded against ‘invasive forces’- these are not necessarily a person but could be something you want, something you fear or anything wanted or not wanted.

There have been challenged for the Sense of Community project which have included bullying, time constraints, materials and goods not arriving on time, changes in routine, having to deal and communicate with more people that I am used to dealing with. Also, it has been a challenge having privacy and a safe environment in which to express those ideas that are mine. I wouldn’t say there have been any positive changes on my ward since doing the project. I felt it provided the big personalities with more ‘power’. People of different types of personality were polarised.

If we were to do a future project can we have more places to order supplies from? And can we have better staffing or protected time on the ward, regardless of what’s going on, so it can happen?

Can we have information presented clearer for different people e.g autism or learning disability friendly?