October and November were very busy months for Quality For Health with four new Approved Providers. With the support of Greater Huddersfield and North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning group, Kirklees Council and the Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Mumtaz Hussain, our approved organisations were formally presented with their Quality For Health certificates.

In October, we welcomed Sky Positive Minds at Foundation Level and Royal Voluntary Service Kirklees (Level 2) to the ever growing list of Quality For Health Approved Providers.  At their Quality For Health presentations, both organisations were thoroughly supported by staff, volunteers and services users who benefit demonstrably from the services they receive.

About Quality For Health, Shaffia Khatun, founder of Sky Postive Minds said

“We had to really take a deeper look into all of our policies, procedures and working practices and make changes where required to bring us up to where we needed to be.

Our vision is to create an organisation that delivers a service of the highest standard and this process was one of the first steps towards this. We are absolutely humbled for the support from VAC, without their guidance and support it will not have been possible.”

November saw Homestart Kirklees achieve Quality For Health Approved Provider status and a successful renewal of the standard for The Brunswick Centre.    Both organisations gained Level 2 of Quality For Health, the highest level of the standard for their high quality service delivery.

Kerri Flanagan, Director of Homestart Kirklees said

“I would recommend any organisation to pursue the Quality for Health standard, it is a perfect opportunity to invest time and effort into ensuring that high standards are not only maintained but avoids any temptation to become complacent.”

The main aim of our latest Approved Providers, The Denby Dale Centre, is purely and simply to reduce isolation and improve quality of life for residents in and around Kirklees.  Established in 2005 by members of the Denby Dale Methodist Church, the centre started work as a charity, to reduce isolation in the local area by running activities that bring people together.  Fast forward to present day, The Denby Dale Centre delivers 20 anti-loneliness projects across Kirklees that are well attended and invaluable to their service users.

The Denby Dale Centre was recently presented with their well earned Quality For Health Level 2 Certificate at one of their weekly Time Together Dementia Activity Groups.  The certificate was presented by the Chair of NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG, Dr Steve Ollerton.

Paul Jones, Centre Manager at The Denby Dale Centre said:

“We are very proud and delighted to be recognised as a quality provider of health care services by the Quality for Health award.  Our Level 2 award speaks for itself as we are providing 20 anti-loneliness projects across the whole of Kirklees including adult social care and community transport.  The work to prepare for the audit and verification was well worth the effort.  The process was very well supported by VAC who provided training, mentoring and have helped link us directly with other community organisations and form new friendships and partnerships.

Moving forward, we hope that holding this quality mark will demonstrate to commissioners and funders the quality level of our services and give confidence in our friends and partners in the community sector that we have quality and professionalism throughout our organisation.

We involved our employed staff, volunteers, placements and of course our members in completing the Quality for Health award, and I would personally like to thank each and every one of them for their kind cooperation, allowing us to demonstrate our work. 

From dementia groups, to shopper buses, and from our group minibus hire to our first aid training centre, we are Kirklees, for Kirklees and throughout Kirklees.”

With the concept of social prescribing taking the UK by storm, voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations like The Denby Dale Centre are deservedly being recognised for their integral role in Health and Wellbeing.  But what is social prescribing?

As described by The Social Prescribing Network, social prescribing is ‘a means of enabling GPs and other frontline healthcare professionals to refer patients to a link worker so that people with social, emotional or practical needs are empowered to find solutions which will improve their health and wellbeing, often using services provided by the voluntary and community sector.’

With the popular movement towards social prescribing models, The Denby Dale Centre and its services are a perfect example of the social community led solutions can have on an individual’s health and wellbeing.  Becoming a Quality For Health Approved Provider compliments social prescribing by offering confidence in the high quality of the services that patients can be socially prescribed to.

Talking about Quality For Health and why it was first developed, Penny Woodhead, Chief Quality and Nursing Officer, Calderdale, Greater Huddersfield and North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Groups said:

“One of the things that GPs often talked to us about was how could they be sure about the quality of services if they were to refer into voluntary or community sector organisations.  We wanted to put something in place that gave that level of confidence to GPs to use the non-statutory sector.”

For more information about The Denby Dale Centre, please visit https://www.ddc.org.uk/

Moldgreen United Reformed Church is one of the latest in a long line of organisations to be awarded the coveted Quality For Health standard, which demonstrates the delivery of high quality services to local people.  Over 3000 people a year use the church for both worship and community events, including drop-in club, crafts events and parent and toddler groups.

To celebrate this fantastic achievement, Dr Steve Ollerton, the Clinical Chair at Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) presented Moldgreen URC with their award last month.

Christine Hall, Secretary at Moldgreen URC said:
“Moldgreen URC is pleased and proud to receive the Quality for Health Mark in recognition of the hard work of our volunteers. The Quality for Health Mark is testimony to the caring service we provide to improve health and well being in our community.”

In Kirklees, local voluntary organisations are funded to undertake the Quality For Health award by local statutory bodies that include the Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and, more recently, Kirklees Council.

Dr Steve Ollerton – Clinical Chair at Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:
“Quality For Health is a useful tool which supports organisations to improve their services for local people. This robust quality award provides assurance to commissioners, and also provides confidence for referrals, such as social prescribing

I am delighted to be presenting the Quality For Health award to Moldgreen United Reformed Church and to see the range of community services and activities which are supporting local people to improve their wellbeing”.

For more information about Moldgreen United Reformed Church please visit their website http://www.moldgreenurc.org.uk/

The Better in Kirklees Social Prescribing service supports people living with long-term health conditions to become more active and involved in their community. When people have something to do and people to see, they are happier, healthier and remain independent for longer. Better in Kirklees (BIK) Social Prescribing service have been awarded the Quality For Health standard, which demonstrates the delivery of high quality services to local people.

To celebrate this achievement, Paula Sherriff MP presented the Better In Kirklees team with their Quality For Health Certificate last week at a stakeholder event.  The attendees of the event, also heard first hand from individuals who had used the Better in Kirklees Social Prescribing service and the massive difference it had made to their life and wellbeing.

The service evaluation reveals that there has been a significant impact in North Kirklees with a 26.7% reduction in GP Practice appointments and 20.6% reduction in GP appointments. Individuals referred to the service reported improvements in health and wellbeing after 9 – 12 months and 65% of individuals have remained active in community settings. Also 50% of people said they felt happier.

About gaining the Quality For Health standard, Tamsin Macdonald, Team Manager at Better in Kirklees social prescribing service said:

“There are hundreds of different groups, activities and courses happening all over the Kirklees area. We’re passionate about working in partnership with people to discover new ways to connect with others around a common interest or create a positive change in the place they live. We listen to people as they tell us about what they want out of life such as learning something new, getting more active or meeting new people. We also explore what skills, knowledge and passions people have that they might want to offer to others and look for ways that these gifts can be received in their local community. We know that when people have something to do, people to see and feel valued by others, they are happier and healthier.

We’re thrilled to receive the Quality For Health award because we see this as a great indicator to the people we work with, their families and carers that they can expect to have an excellent experience when they work with us. We also hope that this will allow professionals to feel confident about referring people to Better in Kirklees for the first time.”

For more information, please visit https://www.touchstonesupport.org.uk/services/better-in-kirklees-bik/ Tel: 01924 846 808

The Welcome Centre are one of the latest in a long line of charities to be awarded Level 1 of the coveted Quality For Health standard, which demonstrates the delivery of high quality services to local people.

The Welcome Centre is one of the largest food banks in the north of England. Last year they gave out enough food for 199,548 meals. They also provide guidance and support to help people address underlying issues which prevent them getting back on their feet. The Welcome Centre is an independent, local charity which relies on volunteers and donations. To find out more contact 01484 515086 www.thewelcomecentre.org

Ellie Coteau, The Welcome Centre Manager said “We’re incredibly proud of the work we do at The Welcome Centre, and we’re delighted to receive recognition for our efforts by achieving a Quality for Health Award. Going through the Quality for Health process was really useful for us, and has given us the confidence to move forward knowing our work is underpinned by high quality policies, and procedures, reflective of our organisational ethos.”

To celebrate this fantastic achievement, the Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Gwen Lowe presented Ellie and The Welcome Centre team with their award.

In Kirklees, local voluntary organisations are funded to undertake the Quality For Health award by local statutory bodies that include the Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and, more recently, Kirklees Council.

Penny Woodhead, Chief Quality and Nursing Officer, Greater Huddersfield CCG said:

“As a local Clinical Commissioning Group, we are always looking at new and innovative ways to ensure people have access to the best health and wellbeing services in the area.  The Quality For Health standard gives a level of confidence to GPs who may want to refer or signpost a patient that the voluntary and community organisation, like The Welcome Centre, are delivering high quality services.”

Cllr Musarrat Khan, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said:

“It is a council priority that we support people to stay healthy for as long as possible. There is very strong partnership approach to this work and we know the important role played by the voluntary and community sector. Commissioning Quality For Health demonstrates our commitment to the development of the sector so that, together, we have the best possible impact on our local communities.”

Mencap in Kirklees have successfully completed the Quality For Health quality assurance standard and are now a Level 2 approved provider.

Mencap in Kirklees works with people who have learning disabilities and with their families and carers to enable them to lead full and purposeful lives. With their ever-growing service – and now, the highest level of Quality For Health – Mencap in Kirklees are always looking to reach the people that don’t get the care & support they need.

Carol Haigh, Chief Executive of Mencap in Kirklees said:

“Working through the Quality For Health system has reminded me of the fantastic work we already do in supporting people’s health needs, which is often overlooked.

We have made positive changes to some of our practices particularly in relation to the recruitment of Trustees and volunteers and as an organisation we are much more aware of the impact of our support on peoples mental and physical health.”

Tamsin Woodhead, Quality For Health Coordinator (pictured with Carol and the Mencap in Kirklees team) said:

“Congratulations to Mencap in Kirklees for becoming an approved provider and gaining the highest level of Quality For Health.  The team at Mencap have worked hard to gain the standard and their hard work has paid off and demonstrates the valuable services they deliver across Kirklees”

More information about Mencap in Kirklees can be found on their website https://mencapinkirklees.org.uk/

Oasis Care Support Services are one of the latest in a long line of charities to be awarded the coveted Quality For Health standard, which demonstrates the delivery of high quality services to local people.  To celebrate this fantastic achievement, the Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Gwen Lowe visited Oasis Care Support Services to hear about the service and to present staff and board members with their Quality For Health award.

Quality For Health is a quality assurance system for organisations delivering health and wellbeing services in a marketplace that is increasingly reliant on providers being able to evidence the delivery of high quality outcomes.

Annette Armstrong-Sam, Business/Care manager at Oasis said:

“Quality for Health is a fantastic framework which has helped our organisation to develop safe and robust systems that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of our service users.”

In Kirklees, local voluntary organisations are funded to undertake the Quality For Health award by local statutory bodies that include the Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and, more recently, Kirklees Council.

Penny Woodhead, Chief Quality and Nursing Officer, Greater Huddersfield CCG said:

“As a local Clinical Commissioning Group, we are always looking at new and innovative ways to ensure people have access to the best health and wellbeing services in the area.  The Quality For Health standard gives a level of confidence to GPs who may want to refer or signpost a patient that the voluntary and community organisation, like Oasis Care Support Services, is delivering high quality services.”

Cllr Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health, Kirklees Council said:

“Kirklees Council recognises the important role the voluntary and community sector plays in supporting people to live healthy and well lives. Commissioning Quality For Health demonstrates our commitment to the development of the sector, supporting it to focus on what matters most to people and communities.”

Oasis Care Support Services is a venture in Domestic Support Services. With experienced staff, Oasis Care provides flexible support that is tailored to meet your needs. 

https://www.oasiscaresupportservices.org.uk/oasis-care-support-services

We are delighted to announce that P3 have successfully completed Quality For Health award and achieved the highest level of the quality assurance system.

P3, which stands for People Potential Possibilities, are a Derbyshire based charity and social enterprise. The organisation runs a variety of services all across the UK, that aim to give everyone the chance to be part of the community they live in and feel connected to society.

Jane Bellamy, Service Manager from P3 said:

“The P3 BeWell Service is delighted to hear that we have been awarded the Level 2 Quality for Health Standard. Receiving this accreditation only confirms the work and dedication that goes into supporting our clients. Our service promotes mental health wellbeing across Derbyshire, reducing social isolation and ensuring that everybody feels part of their community.  The passion and enthusiasm that we know our team of staff have for their roles and their clients is only further demonstrated by receiving this award. Thank you to our team of wellbeing workers who devote themselves to their clients support and to our clients who continue to trust in our service.”

P3 completed Level 2 with the help and support of Quality For Health delivery partner Erewash Voluntary Action.

Stella Scott, CEO of Erewash Voluntary Action said:

“I am delighted that more and more organisations are now accredited via Quality For Health, and a huge congratulations to P3 BeWell Service.

Quality assurance is more important than ever to be able to evidence consistent, quality results and avoiding problems when delivering services for the public.

The Quality For Health award gives organisations assurance that their processes are robust and added confidence to partners and service users about the quality of the service being delivered.”

More information about P3 can be found on their website www.p3charity.org

The Basement Recovery Project in Kirklees has successfully completed Quality For Health and have gained a Level 2 award.  The Basement Recovery Project is an independent self-help, not for profit, charitable organisation, based in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, Kirklees and also Halifax, Calderdale.  They offer support and inspiration to those people who are involved with alcohol and/or substance misuse.

Larry Eve, Service Manager at The Basement Recovery Project said:

“The Basement Recovery Project is thrilled to receive the Quality For Health award.  As an organisation working with some of the most vulnerable in our society, we strive to provide a service that is caring, personal and responsive. To undergo the quality evaluation made complete sense and we are now able to provide assurance to our service users, partners, referrers and commissioners that we can evidence the delivery of high-quality health and well-being outcomes. The Quality For Health award has helped our organisation reassess and evaluate all our current policies and procedures applying equality tools throughout the entire process.

The award has also reassured us that we have always had the service users’s interests, experience, outcomes and empowerment at the heart of all we do and strive to achieve.”

Larry was presented with the organisation’s Quality For Health certificate by Head of Quality, Engagement and Enterprise at VAC, Jo Bolland who said:

“Congratulations to the Basement Recovery Project Kirklees for achieving Quality For Health Level 2. It’s fantastic to see another organisation in Huddersfield being recognised for their commitment to delivering high quality services to the local community.”  

Quality For Health is so excited to announce that another organisation has passed Quality For Health and have received their award.  Communication Unlimited signed up for Quality For Health via one of our delivery partners, Erewash Voluntary Action and, with their support and their own hard work and dedication, successfully completed Level 1 of the quality mark.

Communication Unlimited is a charity based in Derby, providing Sign Language interpreting services across Derbyshire, predominately within the Health services, supporting Deaf people who attend their medical appointments and empowering them to make their own informed decisions in their own language.  The organisation have provided over 11,000 hours of interpreting provision in 2017-2018 and supported over 500 people.

Talking about Quality For Health, Rachell Bastikar, Chair of Communication Unlimited said:

“Communication Unlimited were delighted to hear that we have been awarded the Quality for Health quality mark as it is a testament for all our staff hard work within Communication Unlimited.   We knew that we were good at what we do but couldn’t find another quality mark that matched our organisation and the work we did until this came along.

Now we can prove that we are excellent at what we do on paper.  With thanks to Erewash Voluntary Action for their support and encouragement throughout the process.”

Tamsin Woodhead, Co-ordinator of Quality For Health said:

“We are really pleased to be awarding Communication Unlimited with their Quality For Health award in recognition of the quality services they provide. Their hard work will see them joining the increasing number of organisations holding the award countrywide”