People from across Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC) came together to learn, share ideas and talk about ways to reduce restrictive practice to deliver outstanding care at a conference yesterday, Tuesday 30 April.
Delegates heard from a range of keynote speakers from SHSC and other organisations, who delivered moving and powerful speeches.
Speakers shared their own stories and experiences and the conference heard about where SHSC is doing well in reducing restrictive practice and how, in places, it can still do better.
Ajibola (Aji) Lewis - a campaigner who works to embed The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018, also known as Seni's Law, - in all mental health units across the country, addressed the room about her experience.
Seni's Law was introduced after the death of Aji's son, Seni.
Kate Sanger from the Restraint Reduction Network also addressed the audience. Kate is an active campaigner against eliminating the misuse of restraint and solitary confinement of people who have a learning disability or who are autistic, neurodiverse or have mental health concerns.
And ahead of the event, SHSC's deputy director of nursing and quality, Vanessa Garrity, spoke to the manager of the national Restraint Reduction Network, Alexis Quinn.
The talk was played at the conference and during the discussion Vanessa and Alexis spoke about Alexis' own experience of traumatic restraint, seclusion and long-term segregation - including just after giving birth.
Extracts of the moving discussion, include: "I just I remember it was two weeks after I gave birth to my daughter [who is now 12] that I went into an acute unit and was very quickly transferred to a a low secure facility.
"Not being able to see my daughter and not being able to breastfeed and nurture my baby and have that early attachment with her was really difficult.
"It's something that I reflect on even now - that sort of trauma - it has a lifelong impact for both the birthing person and the baby."
The full discussion is available to watch here and a gallery of images from the event is available to view below that:
