Welcome to this week’s edition of My Download – your go-to round-up of all the latest news and updates. Got something to share with colleagues? Send it our way by 5pm on Thursday: dchst.communications@nhs.net.

EmbRACE Summer Social – Saturday 16 August: Pack your picnic blanket, gather your family and join us for a sun-filled day of good food, laughter and connection at at Derby’s King George V playing fields! EmbRACE invites all members, allies and their families to celebrate our diverse cultures through shared stories. Bring a picnic and feel free to share! Let’s mingle, relax and turn friendly faces into friends. We’d love a big turnout, so help us spread the word and download the MS Teams and email banner here.

August admin forum: The next admin forum is on Wednesday 20 August, 10am-11am.

Helen Cooper, deputy director of people services and organisational effectiveness, will attend part of the meeting to provide an update on the “admin skills and functions development review”. There will also be an opportunity for admin colleagues to bring discussion items and hear general updates and information sharing. Click here for the meeting link.

Save the date: ‘better together – stories from our year’: This year’s annual celebration of our work will look a little different. Due to changes in accounting and audit rules, we’re unable to officially sign off our annual report and accounts until later in the year. So instead of a traditional annual members’ meeting, we’re holding a special event under a new banner: ‘better together – stories from our year’. It’s taking place on Thursday 11 September – more details will follow. For now, please save the date.

Microsoft Teams - video training series: If you’re looking to get more out of Microsoft Teams, there’s a helpful set of video training resources available here. It’s a great way to pick up tips, learn new features and boost your confidence using Teams.

World Suicide Prevention Day is fast approaching on Wednesday 10 September! The Derby and Derbyshire suicide prevention team will be hosting some events across DCHS during September and October, so keep your eyes peeled for dates.

National QI Week is coming – 8 to 12 September!
Join us for a week packed with opportunities to explore and celebrate QI across DCHS. We’ve got something for everyone, drop into our MS Teams sessions to “Ask the IIET” anything related to QI, attend a 90-minute introduction to Quality Improvement session, share some appreciation for your colleagues who have supported you through your QI work on our QI gratitude wall, take part in our QI Community meeting and tune into our brand-new QI project podcasts ‘Let’s Talk Improvement’ launching throughout the week. Let’s connect, learn and improve together!

AMaT: Please can all services ensure they have completed their Duthie self-audit on AMaT before 30 September, which is the end of this biannual audit period. No audits will be able to be entered on AMaT after this date for the period of April-September 2025 and will therefore be incomplete.

Having better mental health conversations: Talking about mental health can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be.

In this short, practical course, offered via JUCD’s Quality Conversations, you’ll learn how to start supportive conversations about mental health and wellbeing and how to respond in ways that are helpful and respectful.

Whether you're at work or with friends and family, the skills you learn will help you feel more confident, compassionate, and equipped to talk about mental health in everyday life. Learn skills that make a difference for others and for yourself. Click here to see the course dates.

SAGE & THYME communication skills workshops: Do you know how to talk to someone who is worried or distressed? This is an evidence-based communication skills workshop which teaches:

A memorable, structured approach for getting into (and out of) a conversation
How to empower patients/carers who are worried or distressed
Communication skills that are evidence-based.

The next available workshop is on Monday 1 September. It takes place from 1pm - 4.30pm with registration from 12.45pm. If you have learning concerns, mobility or accessibility needs (e.g. physical, sight or hearing impairments) please contact helen.johnston@ashgatehospice.org.uk and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss the adjustments we can make for you.

This week’s leaders' and managers' update includes:

Reciprocal mentoring
Derbyshire leader - bookings open
Incident manager’s initial review and investigation training
Making sense of AI
How to be an inclusive leader.

Read more in the latest update here or contact the leadership development team with any queries.

Wellbeing timetable: The wellbeing timetable, listing events for the rest of the summer, is available here.

Grief Awareness Day – 30 August 2025: Grief Awareness Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness and offering support to those grieving. Ahead of this day, we are highlighting the resources and support networks available within the Trust and wider community to help individuals navigate their journey through grief. Find out more here from DCHS staff wellbeing services (under new this month).

September schwartz round: Our virtual schwartz round aims to promote connection, compassion and reflection. Each session lasts for an hour and all you need to do is turn up and listen. Our next round takes place on Thursday 11 September, 09.00-10.00. All colleagues are welcome and you can book your place here. Want to learn more about schwartz rounds? Take a look at our dedicated page here.

New meal options from FiveDinners: FiveDinners are pleased to offer new meal plan options giving users even more help. Meal plan now also includes:

Perimenopause and Menopause meals – nutritionally designed to meet the needs and tackle the symptoms of both
Halal friendly meals
Affordable meals – meals coming in around £1.50 or less per serving
Mums-to-be – nutritionally designed meals for pregnancy
Haven’t signed up yet? Simply click here to join today for FREE and get your first personalised meal plan.

Update from your wellbeing team: Take a look at the wellbeing team's latest update here. To find out more about the diverse range of wellbeing support available visit the website or contact the team: dchst.yourwellbeingteam@nhs.net.

Well done to the following teams on receiving their DCHS Dignity 2 award and Quality Always Gold via the earned autonomy self-assessment process:

Derby City children's SLT (Tuesday 5 August)
Adult continence service (Wednesday 6 August)

Jobs at DCHS: Check out all the latest vacancies here.

Well done to Wendy Hodgkinson and everyone from the Derbyshire Mental Health & Suicide Prevention team on the success of their stall at Y Not festival!

You all did a fantastic job of sharing important resources and information with festival goers over the weekend. Thank you to you all.

#SuicidePrevention #TeamDCHS

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