Mental Health Team wins Most Innovative Practice Award

Congratulations to our PCN Mental Health Team, who won the Most Innovative Practice category at this year’s Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards.

This recognition is based entirely on the amazing group work and programmes we offer.

In February the team held its first Practical Approaches for Neurodiversity workshop, providing individuals with an in-depth look into neurodiversity and practical strategies to improve daily functioning.

The team also offers virtual Screening Groups for individuals who feel they may have ADHD or Autism and would like to explore it further. The Screening Groups are led by staff with an understanding in neurodiversity, who can provide guidance and referrals to specialist services as needed. During these sessions, participants receive psychoeducation on Autism and ADHD, as well as practical strategies and tools to help manage related challenges. The Mental Health Occupational Therapist will then handle any onward referrals to more specialist care.

In addition, a Mental Health Skills Group consists of six 1.5-hour sessions, which has been run both in-person and virtually, focusing on managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Launched in April 2024, these sessions continue to run regularly to meet ongoing demand.

Catherine Seals, PCN Mental Health Team Lead / Mental Health Occupational Therapist, said: “This award win is a celebration of the dedication, creativity, and collaboration that have gone into building our group programme. I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved together over the past two years. Every step of the way, we’ve kept our patients at the heart of everything we do—and this award is a clear reflection of that commitment.”

Find out more about the team’s group work on our newsletter here.

Pictured are Nikita Kaur – Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach, Catherine Seals, Amelia Thayer – Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Tracey Colman – PCN Business Manager.