A Voice of Impact: The Emergency Department Project One Year On
Since January 2022, a team of Golddigger Trust Youth Workers has been embedded directly within the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital to support young people with their emotional wellbeing needs.
Reflecting on the first year of the pilot project, we assisted 239 young people in need of our services to access our support, helping them to find the hope and light in their lives at a point where they could only see darkness. After seeing our Youth Workers within the A&E, those young people who would otherwise be at risk of falling through the gaps had the opportunity for a follow up appointment at our centre, or online, within 8 days (on average).
“Seeing the Golddigger Trust Team in A&E was really helpful, and since then I’ve been a regular at drop in and various workshops. They have helped me to relax and taught me different ways of controlling my anger and I’ve learnt very valuable things about myself. I’ve learnt I’m not the only one who is suffering.”
“After seeing hospital staff, I was really impressed that we were able to see Golddigger Trust straight after, within the Emergency Department. The staff we saw were really lovely and I have found all the staff at Golddigger Trust really warm and welcoming. It was great to be able to book my daughter in for an initial registration and to get her some support within a week or so of being seen.”
“From meeting a young person in a hospital consulting room, to watching them engage, share and even laugh with other young people at our Drop In or on our courses fills me with so much pride - not only for that young person and the progress they’ve made, but for the power this project has demonstrated to influence young people’s lives in such a positive way.”
In Sheffield, young people experiencing a mental health crisis such as self harm, actual or attempted overdose, or suicidal thoughts are referred to the Emergency Department. Many young people also attend A&E when struggling with other emotional wellbeing concerns, whether this is low mood, eating disorders, anxiety or other struggles when they don’t know where else to access help.
Having our youth workers embedded in the hospital means that after initial assessment, if young people don’t meet the high criteria required for referral to a specialist, clinical service, they are then able to speak to one of our youth workers within the A&E department about our support, ensuring that young people don’t have to wait to access the help they need.
This initial 2 year pilot project has been funded by NHS Charities Together in partnership with Sheffield Hospitals Charity and South Yorkshire Community Foundation. The project is currently planned to finish at the end of September 2023.
