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CPFT recycling success!
The introduction of a new domestic waste collection and disposal contract in April 2010 has produced savings of £43,000 for the Trust over the 2009/10 spends.
Just by placing the recyclable materials in a different coloured sack has saved the Trust £5600 over the last year. The big success of the year has been the level of recycling achieved.
By segregating paper, paper towels, cardboard, plastic, steel cans and aluminium cans - along with the confidential data collections that are also recycled after shredding – staff have diverted 67.4% of the non-clinical wastes from landfill.
This exceeds the target of 50% diversion by 2015 and is well on the way to the 2020 target of 75% diversion.
These figures represent a fantastic effort from staff over the first year of operation and form a solid base upon which we can make further efforts, improvements and savings over the next year.
Royal Wedding Celebrated at New Cottage
People at the New Cottage Day Therapy Unit in Ely, performed a play in celebration of the Royal Wedding.
The play was based around the romance and wedding of Kate and William. The objective was to orientate the service-users and raise their awareness of the Royal wedding, helping them to feel engaged and included in the celebrations.
Julie McGivern, an Occupational Therapy Student who initiated the event said; “I came across some innovative articles focusing on the use of drama as an effective clinical tool to enhance the lives of people living with dementia. The play was a real success and everyone enjoyed dressing up and getting into character.”
The main room was then decorated as a street party with banners and bunting. Everyone participated in competitive ball games and target throwing and traditional tea and cake was served afterwards. Julie said; “We tried to create a sense of community spirit and trigger memories of previous royal weddings and street parties that some of the service users may have been involved with in the past.” 
At the end everyone collectively created a poem based around the thoughts and feelings felt about the day, combined with memories of past royal weddings.
“It was a great day, everyone loved it
So good to be a part of it
Crowds waving flags, cheering
Good luck to them
People enjoying street parties
Schools closed for the day
Prince Harry as best man,
Bridesmaids and pageboys too
The dress, the flowers
How long will her train be?
Watched on the television all around the world
Everyone waiting for the kiss on the balcony
We remember watching Queen Elizabeth,
When she got married too.”
Television donated to Health Activities Centre
Lucille Van Geest’s “Health Activities Centre/Gym” is the proud new owner of a TV/DVD Combi. 
The TV was donated by the Anglia Regional Co-operative society following a letter sent by Nora O’Shea who works with the Rehab, Recovery and Assertive Outreach teams.
Nora said: “I sent the letter off and was amazed when I got a reply from their HR Administrator informing me that my request had been approved. I was presented with the TV by Ian Brown, Westgate store manager. Since the TV has been installed, service users have said how
beneficial it is in terms of helping to open up conversation, motivating them and providing a great source of information.”
The TV is being used in the gym facilities to help promote health and fitness whilst service users are carrying out their fitness programmes.
For more information on the Health Activities Centre please contact Nora O'Shea at nora.o'shea@cpft.nhs.uk or on 01733 318149
New Hunts housing project a success
A local project has been set up in Huntingdon to provide housing for people with mental health problems.
The project provides 14 independent flats for people aged 18-64 who require specialist supported housing to aid their recovery and has been co-ordinated by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC), Huntingdonshire District Council, Muir Housing and Granta Housing.
The one- and two-bedroom furnished flats in Fern Court, Stukeley Meadows, are managed by Muir Housing. The county council has equipped the flats with household equipment and other soft furnishing. Fern Court provides temporary accommodation of up to two years to help people who have struggled to live independently or been in hospital. The residents will have access to a range of services including treatment and support from their community mental health team and the crisis team if appropriate, and receive an average of seven hours a week of housing-related support such as cooking and budgeting from Granta Housing. Each resident will also have the possibility of access to a personalised budget to help meet their needs.
Kyran Brivio, project manger for CPFT, said: “The aim of the project is to help people get to the stage where they feel ready to move into mainstream permanent independent accommodation. Because of the central location of the flats, the residents are able to socialise with local people and access mainstream community facilities in the town centre. They are also being supported to become more confident at living independently by having the responsibility of maintaining their flats and developing essential life skills. This great project will help people to manage their mental health, develop self-esteem and achieve greater independence. We are really delighted with the positive feedback we have received so far, and that it has been a good example of partnership working.”
One of the residents said, “It has helped me a lot I have gone from being in one room to having more space, it is bright and airy and the environment makes me feel better. I have gained independence and feel more able to move on with my life.”