The MPFT Podcast

Reciprocal mentoring is a two way process where those paired together both gain as a mentoring pair through formal-and-informal group and one-to-one sessions. As part of MPFT’s journey to ensuring equity for all, members of the Trust Board took part in a reciprocal mentoring programme with colleagues from different ethnic minority backgroundsto hear about their experiences and gain a greater understanding of the challenges they face in their professional and personal lives.

This episode of The MPFT Podcast features a conversation between Saky Kaur (Health Visitor) and Claire Bailey (Managing Director for Children and Families Care Group) where they both share their experiences of being paired together, what their mentoring sessions involved, what they’ve taken from the programme, and how their experience along with the rest of the cohort is now supporting the delivery of key Trust initiatives such as our Anti-Racist Statement and Framework.  

A transcript of this episode is available to download: https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/application/files/8217/5524/4964/The_MPFT_Podcast_Episode_099_Transcript_-_Reciprocal_Mentoring.docx

Links & Info:

- Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/GT6Y4MUIxu8- Read more about the Trust launching a new Anti-Racist Statement and Framework

- Inside MPFT’s new stand against racism - PEP_Talk_2025-07.pdf⁠ (pages 6 & 7).

- More information about Reciprocal Mentoring - Key information – Leadership Academy (NHS Leadership Academy)

- Read both MPFT’s Anti-Racist Statement andFramework & Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy in full - Equality and Inclusion :: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Welcome to this latest edition of The MPFT Podcast!

For this episode, Naomi Martin from the MPFT communications team is joined by  Victoria Campbell, or Vicky, who’s doing amazing work as a Respiratory Nurse Consultant and one of only a few national Respiratory Champions in the UK.

She’s helping to change the game for people with lung conditions, not just in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Tent, but all across the country. Whether you’re living with a lung condition, a carer for someone with a lung condition, or just curious about how change happens in the NHS, this episode is for you.

A transcript of this episode is available to download - ⁠https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/application/files/8417/5337/3985/The_MPFT_Podcast_Episode_098_Transcript_-_Victoria_Campbell.docx⁠

As well as being able to listen to episodes via your podcast channel of choice, you can now also view episodes through our YouTube channel - ⁠www.youtube.com/@mpftnhs

In this episode Kristy, a Specialist Health Visitor in perinatal mental health talks to Darren, a dad who will share his experiences and struggles which have led him to now work with and support other men, helping them to build resilience.

To speak to a Health Visitor please call 0808 178 0611

A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠⁠.

Links & Info:

• Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing⁠⁠
• Darren J Brookes(@darrenjbrookes) • Instagram photos and videos
• Just for dads - Staffordshire County Council
• Just Family | Wellbeing for Children, Parents & Families
• Family Hubs - Staffordshire County Council
• ANDYSMANCLUB - It's Okay To Talk

In this latest episode with our 0-19 Service, Caroline, Kristy and Laura talk about Infant Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Good infant mental health enables infants to feel safe and secure and it establishes the foundations for children’s ongoing social and emotional development.

If you would like to talk to a Health Visitor please callthe Hub on 0808 178 0611 or text 07520 615 722. Our Hub is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm but not bank holidays.

A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠.

Links & Info:

• Families Health and Wellbeing Service 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing⁠
• For details of our free virtual sessions and how to book: Staffordshire clinics / service (mpft.nhs.uk)
• Staffordshire Family Hubs - Bump to Toddler Pathway - Staffordshire County Council
• Parent-Infant Foundation

Welcome to this latest edition of the new look MPFT Podcast!

For this episode we're focusing on the opening of our new mental health crisis care facility at St George's Hospital in Stafford.

Mark Fletcher from the MPFT communications team is joined on this chat by Shelley Evans, MPFT Service Lead for Mental Health Urgent Care Services in South Staffordshire.

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the specialised facility will offer urgent assessment and support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis who have come into contact with emergency services.

It serves as an alternative to emergency departments for people facing urgent but non-life-threatening mental health needs, supporting MPFT’s health and care partners in the West Midlands.

A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/application/files/5517/4912/8915/The_MPFT_Podcast_Episode_095_Transcript_-_Opening_of_MPFTs_new_mental_health_crisis_care_facility.docx

As well as being able to listen to episodes via your podcast channel of choice, you can now also view episodes through our YouTube channel - ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@mpftnhs⁠⁠

We’re back with another edition of the new look MPFT Podcast and for this episode we’re focusing on the brilliant work of our Governors.

Governors are volunteer representatives who play a crucial role in the governance of NHS Foundation Trusts such as MPFT, and serve as an invaluable link between our members, the public, our Board and the wider Trust.

Our Chair Jackie Small sat down with our Lead Governor Alan Jasper to talk about the role of Governor, the difference it makes and the value of volunteering to serve as an MPFT Governor.

A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/application/files/5417/5524/4964/The_MPFT_Podcast_Episode_094_Transcript_-_Becoming_an_MPFT_Governor.docx

As well as being able to listen to episodes via your podcast channel of choice, you can now also view episodes through our YouTube channel - ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@mpftnhs⁠⁠

Links & info:

Find out more about how to become an MPFT Governor at https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/about-us/council-governors

We’ve relaunched the MPFT Podcast and have a fresh new look!

As well as being able to listen to episodes via your podcast channel of choice, you can now also view episodes through our YouTube channel - ⁠www.youtube.com/@mpftnhs⁠

For this episode we’re celebrating our ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for our adult acute mental health wards and psychiatric intensive care unit, which provide specialised support and treatment for people with severe mental health needs.

We’re joined by Emma Davies, Service Lead for the inpatient mental health wards at St Georges Hospital at Stafford, and Anton Dias, Service Manager for the inpatient wards at The Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury.

It was a fun and enlightening chat – have a listen! And watch!

⁠A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/application/files/5317/4670/9942/The_MPFT_Podcast_Episode_093_Transcript_-_CQC_Good_Rating.docx

Links & info:

• ⁠Watch the episode via the MPFT YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/uPhOeryYsLI?si=KnSl_93s9ccAikvO• Read more about this story via the MPFT website - https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/about-us/latest-news/trust-celebrates-good-rating-care-quality-commission-adult-mental-health-inpatient-wards

In this latest MPFT Podcast episode with the Families' Health and Wellbeing 0-19 Service, we hear from Health Visitors Caroline, Kristy and Carolyn talking about Baby Blues - a common experience for many new parents in the first few weeks after giving birth resulting in low mood and tearfulness.

To speak to a Health Visitor please call 0808 178 0611

Links & info:

Joint working can often be key to providing comprehensive and effective mental health care to people in need. The Social Care In-Reach team works closely with health colleagues and external agencies to ensure holistic care for patients, and their unique position allows them to bridge gaps between medical treatment, social support, and community resources.

Charlie Thorpe and Naomi Babbs talk about how the service, provided by MPFT in partnership with Staffordshire County Council is making a difference.

⁠A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠.

In this latest MPFT Podcast episode with the Families' Health and Wellbeing 0-19 Service, Caroline talks to Sadie, a children’s respiratory consultant nurse about asthma. The episode covers what asthma is, the symptoms, how it is treated, the importance of Personal Asthma Action Plans and ‘Count it out’ methods.

A transcript of this episode is available to download⁠.

Links & info: