In episode 5 of Stories from Social Care Leaders, we turn our focus to mental health, and the vital role social care nurses play in shaping compassionate, trauma‑informed support. We’re joined by Madelaine Watkins, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Psychosis in Older Adults in Cardiff and Vale, and Jo‑Anne Wilson, Registered Manager with the Royal British Legion, Queen’s Nurse, and long‑standing leader in veteran care and social care nursing across the Midlands. Together, they reflect on how the mental health landscape has evolved – from shifts in language and public awareness to growing willingness to engage with support – and what still needs to change. The conversation explores trauma‑informed and psychosocial approaches, how these models come to life in everyday practice, and the creative, relational ways nurses work alongside people to build wellbeing, connection and resilience. From walking groups to peer support, from flexible social care settings to the power of family networks, our guests share the moments and methods that matter. Looking ahead, they discuss emerging projects, hopes for the future, and how social care nursing can continue to lead in creating safe, responsive and person‑centred mental health support.
Timestamp: 40:18: Please note that there is currently no Soteria House operating in the UK. A pilot Soteria House ran successfully for one year in Bradford in 2015, but no permanent service has been established since. More recently, an exciting new study has been completed in Bradford – sponsored by Greater Manchester Mental Health, co‑led with Soteria Network UK, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This research explores how Soteria Houses might be developed in the UK in the future. The findings are expected to be published later this year.
Please see a range of resources Madelaine has kindly provided below:
- New research will explore the ‘Soteria’ approach as an alternative to psychiatric inpatient admission | News and Events | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT
- Soteria Network – Humane, non-coercive mental health services
- ABOUT | soteria-bradford
- Compassionate Mental Health
- Platfform: for mental health and social change
- Intervoice – Connecting People and Ideas in the Hearing Voices Movement
- National Hearing Voices Network – For people who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual perceptions
- Trauma-Informed Wales
- What is Open Dialogue? Why It Inspires Me – Dialogue (R)Evolution
- Power Threat Meaning Framework | BPS
- Book recommendation: Open Dialogue for Psychosis; Organising Mental Health Services to Prioritise Dialogue, Relationship and Meaning