This past week, The WATCH Project recieved a very prestigious accolade from Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, The Chief Executive Award, which is granted to an individual or organisation that makes a significant contribution to the lives of others.
Presented at their Recognition Award 2015 event, Chief Executive Edward Colgan shared the following:
“The WATCH Project encourages all its members to reach their full potential in a positive environment of support and friendship through a range of activities.
“As Chief Executive I have a keen interest in the work of the Project from its origins when a group of service users who previously used day hospital services in Chard came together to provide mutual support to each other at a time of major change to our services. From that time the Group has gone from strength to strength – growing in confidence and the support they can give to the wider community.
“The journey for people with mental illness to recovery can be a difficult one but the work of the W.A.T.CH Project has demonstrated that with support of friends and colleagues issues such as stigma, a sense of powerlessness can be addressed and service users, their carers and families can be empowered to do incredible things on their journey to recovery. That is the power of the Chard WATCH project and that’s why I feel Julie Matthews and her team and all members of WATCH – past and present – are worthy of this special award.”
Project Manager Julie Matthews recieved the trophy along with member representative Emma Phillips. They thanked the Trust and Edward Colgan in particular (as it was his last ceremony before retiring) for the ongoing support he has given us over the years:
“It has been a great honour for all of us at the Chard Watch Project to receive the Chief Executives Award from Edward Colgan. Over the years, Edward has watched us grow from a small peer group to a project helping isolated people come together as peers to build relationships. To be validated for our work as a small community project shows we are making a difference and are a part of the wider community.”
On behalf of the members, volunteers, and staff at the Project, I’d also like to echo that same sentiment again now. We’re all very grateful and honoured to have been chosen. Thank you. (We’ll miss you lots, Edward!)
You can see Julie recieving the award from Edward on the day, along with a handful of happy members at the Project showing it off below. — M@thew
