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A referral I need to join a pottery group

Posted By EstherQoP

"A referral I need to join a pottery group"

About: Crisis Mental Health / Single point of access team (SPA) & Emotional Wellbeing Service (EWS) Highly Specialist Services / Short Term Educational Programme (STEP)

(as a service user),

I have recently been through the single point of access where I was referred onto a course for managing emotions through STEP.   There is a 6 month waiting list.   In the meantime there is a question of what I am going to do until then.   My friend is doing a course in pottery at the Art House in Sheffield.   My friend's son is a volunteer there.   I have never tried pottery and was keen to get involved.   I was informed there was enough room for me to join.   However, they needed me to be referred by Sheffield Health and Social Care (SHSC).   I contacted the STEP team and they said they couldn't refer me.   I am aghast at the lack of initiative shown for someone to make a phone call on my behalf.   I am being proactive in self-help and knew that the pottery course would be of great therapeutic benefit.  

Instead, the member of staff I spoke to from SHSC I felt, hid behind policy and said they didn't make referrals.   It's not me, granted, but if I had taken my call I would've gone the extra mile (or in this case a few steps) to enable me to access the pottery course.   To say that all is needed is a call or letter to confirm that I am in the system I feel really let down.   The person at the other end of the phone for SHSC told me they could understand my frustration. I beg to differ.  

To say that AMBITION is one of the SHSC's values I see very little shown here. I am sick of being passed from pillar to post.  

How difficult is it to make a phone call?

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Responses

Response from Andrea Gratton, Team Manager, Short Term Educational Programme (STEP), Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust 2 years ago
Andrea Gratton
Team Manager, Short Term Educational Programme (STEP),
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 27/07/2021 at 13:30
Published on Care Opinion at 16:10

Hello, Thank you for your feedback.

As you mentioned we do facilitate the managing emotions and other courses at STEP. Unfortunately, as you mentioned there is a lengthy waiting list, which is due to the number of referrals we receive for that course.

Whilst we would like to be able to support attendees with other issues, we have to prioritise our time on our main service aim, which is the timely facilitation of our courses.

I understand that you were advised of alternative ways of seeking a referral via going back to the referrer at SPA, social prescribing, CAST etc and this could have opened up other avenues extra to those at The Art House, and that you were also sent a relevant resource sheet.

Whilst we would make the necessary referral for someone who was experiencing mental health difficulties, we are not in a position to make routine referrals due to the reasons already explained.

We do also encourage people to follow up on things independently where possible and The Art House do accept self referrals for the Pottery classes.

I would welcome a phone call if you wish to discuss this further.

The following are also some links that you may find useful when looking at relevant activities

the WEA https://www.wea.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are they have a branch in Sheffield and have a range of courses which are low cost or free if you meet the criteria.

Also OpenLearn is all free with a wide range of courses https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Sheffield Mental Health Guide – Art for Wellbeing https://www.sheffieldmentalhealth.co.uk/activities/art-for-wellbeing links to CAST art group.

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Update posted by EstherQoP (a service user)

I feel that I had been passed from pillar to post.

You said in your response that you would make the necessary referral for someone who was experiencing mental health difficulties, but are not in a position to make routine referrals due to the reasons already explained.

I was experiencing a psychotic experience, one which my mother had to stay with me until I came out of it naturally. When I contacted SPA I was desperate.

Just because I am articulate and have insight I didn't feel heard.

Response from Andrea Gratton, Team Manager, Short Term Educational Programme (STEP), Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust 2 years ago
Andrea Gratton
Team Manager, Short Term Educational Programme (STEP),
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 14/09/2021 at 12:31
Published on Care Opinion at 12:31

I am sorry you did not feel heard, and found the response unhelpful. If you do want to discuss this further then I would welcome a telephone conversation with you, you can call me at STEP on 0114 2262660

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