The Downshall Intergenerational Provision has been highly commended in the HSJ Value Awards 2020 for Mental Health Service Redesign.

The aim of the provision, which was launched by Dr David Hinchcliffe, NELFT Consultant Psychiatrist, is to provide a social hub that brings together older adult patients from NELFT’s Redbridge Older Adults Mental Health Team and Redbridge Memory Service as well as the children at Downshall Primary School.

Dr Hinchcliffe said: “We are all thrilled to receive the high commendation award for Mental Health Service Redesign Initiative at the HSJ Value Awards 2020. The judges recognised our highly inclusive project and its value in tackling loneliness and isolation in older adults and in nurturing the young and vulnerable.”

“We plan to relaunch our provision next year once it is safe and to continue to support other services in setting up a similar model in neighbouring boroughs. Many thanks to everyone at NELFT, Downshall Primary School, London Borough of Redbridge and Age UK Barking, Havering and Redbridge who helped create this service, for their enthusiasm and commitment.”

The school and mental health team work in partnership with Ian Bennett, the headteacher of Downshall Primary School, Maria Zatat, head of lower years as well as the staff at Downshall Primary, Age UK Barking, Havering and Redbridge and London Borough of Redbridge.  

The judges found this to be an innovative, practical service with the potential to go nationwide. It is a highly inclusive project that priorities user experience, with clear testimonial evidence displaying how social isolation in loneliness in the elderly have been reduced, and how the young and vulnerable were nurtured.

The above photos show a Christmas party and a special assembly where the children and older adults had prepared some songs.

This is the latest accolade for this unique provision which has previously won a National Dementia Care Award and has been featured on national media. For more information about the Downshall Intergenerational Provision, you can download the brochure here.

To find out more about the awards click here.