Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

01/06/2026

Not long to get your nominations in 🗳️

The deadline is Friday 5 June to share who you think should win a Pennine Care People Award, including the community choice and eight other categories for colleagues.

Visit our website or drop us a message for more info

01/06/2026

Resharing this inspiring story of the incredible power of volunteering, peer support and lived experience.

Thanks again, Les 🙌

Stockport grandad Les has shared how support from our drug and alcohol service helped him turn his life around and become an award-winning volunteer.

Les, 68, is now three years sober and supporting others on their own recovery journeys – even receiving a Mayor’s Award for his voluntary work.

Les spent most of his adult life drinking socially, but a turning point came after he retired and struggled with the sudden lack of structure and purpose in his life:

“I saw myself as a ‘good drinker’ because I never got angry or aggressive as some people do, and I always knew when I’d had enough.”

“Going to the pub was just a way of life so I never worried about how often I was drinking – it felt like everyone else was doing it, so why would it affect me?”

“Everything spiralled very quickly. Before I knew it, I was having glasses of wine at six in the morning. I knew it wasn’t right, but I couldn’t stop.”

Les was referred to Stockport drug and alcohol service, run by Pennine Care NHS, Acorn Recovery Projects and Intuitive Recovery.

With the team’s guidance and support, along with group sessions, Les went on to complete rehabilitation and is now sober for over three years.

“I genuinely never thought there would be a day I could go without a drink. I feel healthier, fitter and more active - it’s like I’m a new man. I couldn’t have done this without the service. I can’t thank them enough.”

Now, Les volunteers regularly at Stockport drug and alcohol service, welcoming others and offering reassurance.

He also helps to run a men’s support group in Brinnington and volunteers with Age UK, using his lived experience to support others.

His dedication and compassion were recognised with a Mayor’s Award, celebrating his outstanding community spirit and the support he provides.

Les said: “That first step through the door can be the hardest. I just want people to know they’re not on their own. If I only make a positive difference to one person’s life, then it will all have been worth it.”

“I didn’t seek help until I was in my late sixties - if my story helps someone get support earlier, that means everything to me. I’m living my best life now, and I’d encourage anyone who thinks it’s too late to have belief in themselves again. Get help if you need it.”

01/06/2026

Cheers to our volunteers 🙌

This Volunteers Week is a chance to celebrate those who generously give their time and efforts to support our mental health, learning disability and autism services.

Vincent is 93 years young and a volunteer befriender on Saffron ward, based at The Meadows in Offerton.

His life has taken him all over the world, completing national service with the air force and then working with various print and print machinery companies.

Vincent had a short stay on Saffron, following illness. While on the ward he enjoyed meeting the other patients and the staff, chatting and finding out about people.

After discharge, he wanted to give something back so got in touch with our volunteer service, asking to visit the ward as a volunteer to chat to the patients, give them time and social contact.

He loves to find out people’s history and encourages reminiscence, which he feels is good for people.

Gary, occupational therapist said: "Vincent brings something to the ward that no clinical intervention can replace: genuine human connection, warmth, relatability, and a sense of hope."

"Each week he comes in with a smile and a natural ability to put people at ease. For many of our patients, particularly those experiencing delirium, this kind of steady, grounding interaction is invaluable.

"His openness in sharing his own experience as a former patient on the ward is especially powerful.

"When Vincent talks about his recovery, it instils genuine hope in patients who may feel frightened or uncertain about what lies ahead."

Vincent’s daughter Helen adds: “He’s a real character. I think it’s absolutely wonderful that he's volunteering. The whole family is really proud of him doing this and giving something back to such a wonderful organisation.

“He really cares about people and wanted to give something back to The Meadows, as the people there really cared for him right across the board - the cleaners, the nurses, the carers, the doctors and the catering staff.

“They helped get him back on his feet and he will never forget their kindness, without them we wouldn't have got our father back.

“It gives him such a boost volunteering there and it has brought back the sparkle in his eyes.”

Thank you Vincent and to all our volunteers🙏 We look forward to celebrating you all with a special event in October, thanks to funds from Pennine Care Charity.

Please get in touch if you’re interested in supporting our mental health, learning disability and autism services

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

We’ve rolled out updated menus across wards in Tameside and Stockport, giving people more choice at mealtimes - with more sustainable options too.

Menus in Tameside have moved from a two to three-week cycle, and at The Meadows from three to four, meaning more variety with a more balanced selection of meals.

The new menus have been shaped by feedback from patients, insights gathered through the patient-led assessments of the care environment (PLACE) inspections and are part of our ongoing work to improve food choice and deliver high quality meals.

By offering more vegetarian options and being more thoughtful about the meats we use, we better align to our green plan, while still giving choice.

27/05/2026

Which top team or considerate colleague deserves to win this years' Pennine Care People Awards?

Nominations are open until the end of next week to recognise excellence across nine categories:

🗳️ Community choice - for parents, families and carers to pick
🤝 Brilliant partnership
👩‍⚕️ College of the year
💡 Great improvement
🙌 Inspirational leader
💙 Inclusion champion
🌞 Ray of sunshine
🌟 Rising star
🏆 Team of the year

Tag someone who deserves to win! Full details in the comments.

27/05/2026

Great to see plenty of support for Dementia Action Week 🧠

Our teams and partners were busy raising awareness of dementia support, how to get checked, medications and specialist therapies.

Colleagues at The Meadows held an event with the Alzheimer's Society, Signpost for Carers and Educate Stockport, with powerful personal stories from people living well with dementia.

Whittaker Day Hospital hosted a memory information group. Oldham memory assessment service joined Age UK Oldham at Oldham Libraries to offer advice on brain health and local support.

If you're worried about your memory or the memory of a loved one, speak to your GP to get referred to your local memory assessment service.

Reaching out early can help you get the right support to live well with dementia.

26/05/2026

Our Oldham adult learning disability team has been praised for helping Nathan - who has ADHD, autism and a learning disability - access vital dental treatment.

This is something Nathan's family had been trying to arrange for a long time.

By taking the time to really understand Nathan, student nurse Carla Baldwin and community learning disability nurse Keith Norris explained the process in a way that worked for him, with reasonable adjustments helping to make the treatment possible.

Nathan’s mum Jayne said: “From the very beginning, Carla and Keith really took the time to listen to us and understand Nathan as a person, not just a patient.

"They explained everything, kept us informed and were always there to reassure us when things felt overwhelming. It felt like we were doing this together, not on our own.

As a parent, it means everything to know your child is being cared for with kindness, patience and respect.”

26/05/2026

This looks incredible! Keep going Alison, thanks for supporting Pennine Care Charity 💙

22/05/2026

Memory and brain health 🧠

Mental health nurse Lisa, from Oldham memory assessment service, has some tips to stay sharp and healthy.