Publish date: 24 May 2023
The team held their first away day for Freedom to Speak Up champions on 4 May. The team heard from the National Guardian, Dr Jayne Chidgey-Clark who talked about the important role that Champions have and work that her team are the importance of listening to staff and acting upon the concerns that are raised.
Bernie Rochford shared her experiences as a whistleblower with the champions. She talked about how it changed her life and made her passionate about supporting others who wanted to speak up. She is also passionate about supporting managers and organisations to develop safer practices. Bernie values having dedicated FTSU Champions and Guardians across the organisation and believes collectively we can make it safer and easier for staff to speak up and therefore safer for service users too.
Jo Edmundson, Julie Critchley and Jade Sexton, Freedom to Speak Up Champions, talked about their roles in raising the profile of the Freedom to Speak Up Team and being the initial listening ear for staff wanting to speak upabout a concern.
Jo talked about the monthly breakfast meetings that are held on her ward on the Whalley site and how these have given all ward based staff an opportunity to express any concerns they have. Jo also discussed that they have developed a system of 'you said - we did' which enables any actions that have been taken on issues raised to be openly feedback.
Jade talked about her role as a Champion on Shelley Ward in Ashworth Hospital and the importance of speaking up at team meetings. She provides information to all new starters and trainees.
Justine Nakimuli , the newly appointed Freedom to Speak Up Guardian and Cultural Sensitivity Lead, presented a session on the importance of staff being sensitive to different people's experiences from a cultural perspective. Justine talked about intra and inter cultural issues and how she is working with teams to raise awareness of how to support staff through any potential difficulties.
The champions also discussed the importance of team culture and how this can either impede or support staff in raising concerns. Champions were encouraged to think about their own place of work and whether it was somewhere where a staff raising a concern would be listened to and thanked for sharing their concerns, questions and or ideas . The champions identified the importance of leadership in creating an open culture and having regular team meetings and reflective practice sessions so that issues of concern can be shared proactively.
The day was a great success and very well evaluated by those who attended . There was a great deal of discussion and interest regarding every aspect of speaking up , being listened to and having updates on actions fed back . Many champions took ideas away for activities they can do in their area to help staff feel safe to speak up. One champion said that it was the best away day she had ever been on and that she was going away feeling inspired.
The next champions away day will be held on 2 November 2023 at the Indigo Building.
Steve Morgan, Sue Fog, Justine Nakimuli and Julie Critchley pictured.