The MPFT Podcast

In this podcast episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Beth Barnett, an Occupational Therapist at MPFT.

Listen to Beth open up about her career journey, and share the driving force behind her choice to become an Occupational Therapist, and highlight her favourite aspects of the role.

If you would like to join our award-winning trust as an Occupational Therapist, check out our latest vacancies on our website.

A transcript of this episode is available download.

In this episode we chat with two of our staff about the work that they have been doing to keep inpatients active during a hospital stay to support with their recovery.

The fun, inventive approaches that they and others across the Trust have taken to support our patients has led to MPFT being one of just a handful of NHS trusts in the Midlands to receive the Recondition the Nation Platinum Award.

A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Join Carol and Stacey in this episode of the Parents Podcast

It can be a daunting prospect thinking about returning to

Further information is available through your Health Visiting Team: call them on 0808 178 0611 or visit the service website.

The NHS website has information about breastfeeding and returning to work.

Read about UNICEF's Baby Friendly Initiative.

A transcript of this episode is available to download.

In this episode of our podcast, we hear from Nicola Ball (Specialist Nurse Practitioner) who works in CAMHS, Lichfield.

Nicola talks about the therapeutic benefits of being outside in green spaces, and the development of a garden for children and young people at Holly Lodge in Lichfield.

Read about the work for MPFT's Green Team on our website, and follow them on Twitter.

A transcript of this episode is available.

In this episode Carol and Caroline talk about reducing the risks of accidental poisoning in children.

From kitchen cleaner to medicines and things lurking in your garden shed, keeping them away from children is so important. We all wish we had eyes in the back of our heads but being more aware of where we store things in our homes should help us to reduce those risks.

You can find more useful information on the MPFT website, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust website.

A transcript of this episode is available from our website.

Mindfulness is about being aware of the present moment, sensations and thoughts. Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves a little better.

In this episode, health visitor Carol shares how mindfulness can be enjoyed in every day experiences and invites you to join her on a short guided meditation concentrating on your breathing, to help you focus on the here and now.

Information about mindfulness on the NHS website.

A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Sleep is so important, but busy thoughts can whizz around our heads, making it difficult to settle.

Join Health Visitor Carol as she invites you to follow a guided meditation to help quiet your mind in readiness for sleep.

She uses a visualisation technique where you will imagine walking along a beautiful beach, keying into your senses, before finding a comfortable spot to rest, relax and sleep.

Advice on the NHS website for those suffering from sleep problems.

A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this latest episode of The MPFT Podcast we hear from Leanne Macpherson (Head of programmes at the Community Foundation for Staffordshire).

Leanne describes the Community Foundation's role in approving grant applications to organisations seeking to provide community-based projects that help support people in Staffordshire with mental health illness. This work is part of the Community Mental Health Transformation programme in Staffordshire.

You can learn more about the Community Foundation and their work online.

A transcript of this episode is available for download.

Join Carol (a health visitor within the 0-19 service) as she talks you through a physical activity to help shake off feelings of tension or stress from the body.

This can be a useful technique to share with children; they too might benefit from shaking off feelings of tension or worry. Or you could decide to do this activity together with your child just for the fun of it!

A transcript of this episode is available for download.

In this episode Health Visitors Carol and Caroline talk about crying babies and the ICON messages that help people who care for babies cope with crying.

Babies start to cry more from about 2 weeks old and starts to get less each week after 8 weeks old and whether there is a reason or not it can be frustrating, upsetting and extremely stressful. They share advice to help with crying and what to do when the crying gets too much.

The ICON website

The ICON Crying Plan template

Baby Sling Safety

A transcript of this episode is available for download.