Together Advocacy at St Andrews Annual Patient Party 2022

Every summer, St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton organises a summer party for all patients to enjoy. This year it took place on 12th July on the main lawn at the secure site. There were patients from all the divisions including CAMHS, Neuro, ASD & LD, Low secure & locked rehab, up to medium secure.

Rain showers did not dampen anyone’s spirits amongst the humidity. There were a range of stalls and activities including:

  • A BBQ
  • Animal corner
  • PRIDE
  • SALT
  • Sensory/face painting
  • Patients’ cake/baking competition
  • Dance demos (pictured)
  • Photo booth
  • Batak
  • Twin bungee run
  • Penalty shoot out
  • Games
  • Fitness stall
  • Table Football
  • Caricatures

The Independent Mental Health Advocacy team provide support to all these patients and hosted an advocacy awareness stall. This included a true or false game in which we gauged patients understanding of our role and the work we do.

We gave out sweets, stickers and leaflets whilst engaging with patients who were all enjoying the event. The patients were really pleased to see their advocates in attendance. We hope next year to create an even bigger stall with innovative ideas to engage patients.

Dr Sanjith Kamath, St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Executive Medical Director, who came along to the party, said:

It was great to see so many patients enjoying themselves. A lot of effort was put in to provide a fun, safe and exciting environment for everyone who came along and certainly, the people who I spoke to all had big smiles on their faces and told me how much they were enjoying themselves.

After everything our patients have been through, it was so important to give them something to look forward to, which is why the Summer Party is the focus of our events diary each year. Everywhere I looked, there was something going on, and both staff and patients were clearly taking the opportunity to enjoy the good weather and the different activities on offer. Judging by the amount of laughter I heard and the smiles I saw, I would say the party has been a huge success.

”One patient said the party had been “the best yet” and another patient said: “It’s been so lovely getting together with everyone and having a dance.” One of the patients who attended the party commented ““I love my visits from Barney, it’s lovely to see you all here and meet the team!”