Congratulations to Andrea, our STAR Award winner!

Andrea Wood was nominated for 'putting service users at the heart of everything she does'.

Her role focuses on the rehab and recovery of service users with mental health issues. A big part of her role is working to improve service users’ engagement in a healthy lifestyle while taking in to account their feelings, needs and interest.

Andrea said: “I am so surprised to have won a STAR Award and it’s so nice to be recognised – I would never have thought it!

“In my job I try to find ways to involve everyone in everyday physical activities without the pressure of going to the gym as some of my service users have heightened anxieties and low self-esteem due to their mental health. Every service user is different and they don’t all like the same things so I try to tailor to their needs as much as possible and always have their personal preferences in mind.”

Andrea recently applied for an external grant to help improve the physical activity of the service users she works with and this was highlighted in the nomination for her Star Award. With this Andrea has developed a ‘Stroll and Snap’ group which encourages walking and photography combined.

Caroline Foster, Specialist Dietician, who nominated Andrea, said: “Andrea demonstrates the Trust value of ‘caring’ with all service users she works with. She builds a strong rapport with them easily and has them at the heart of everything she does.

“Andrea always strives to do the best she can for service users, and continues to improve the service she provides. She goes above and beyond the requirements for her role and I feel she should have some recognition for this. Andrea demonstrates all three of the Trust’s values, with the stand out being her integrity.”