Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has become the latest acute hospital to partner with We Can Talk to provide access to their one-hour, evidence-based e-learning designed to build the confidence and skills of all hospital staff to support patients in a mental health crisis.
The launch was marked by a live event in the hospital restaurant, where over 70 staff signed up to begin the training within just a few hours. The We Can Talk team were joined on-site by one of their Lived Experience Advisors, creating space for meaningful conversations with staff across clinical and non-clinical roles.
“We’re excited to raise the profile of mental health support in our acute Trust by introducing this new offer to all staff — recognising that everyone plays a role in shaping the mental health culture of an organisation.”
— Anthony Gartland, Head of Nursing – Mental Health, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Pictured left to right: Ellen (Project Support Officer, We Can Talk), Anthony Garland (Head of Nursing – Mental Health, Royal Surrey), Stuart (Lived Experience Advisor, We Can Talk)
We Can Talk is made up of three short modules focused on communication, safety, and empowerment — core themes shaped in partnership with hospital staff, mental health experts and people with lived experience of attending hospital in a mental health crisis. Staff hear directly from patients, as real-life stories lead learners through reflective, practical scenarios.
“It was a full circle moment for me — this was the first opportunity I’ve had to be in a hospital talking to staff in person about how my experience of coming to hospital in crisis forms part of this training.”
— Stuart, Lived Experience Advisor, We Can Talk
As part of their rollout, Royal Surrey has added a listing for the training to their internal learning platform, MyLearning, making it easier for staff to find and access the course. We Can Talk uses a dedicated platform — not standard SCORM-based e-learning — which allows for a more dynamic, video-led experience and built-in data tools for tracking uptake and completions.
Stuart, Lived Experience Advisor, alongside Royal Surrey staff at the We Can Talk launch stand.
“This training is about more than raising awareness — it’s about giving staff a practical, human-centred way to build confidence and support better patient care. We’re proud to partner with Royal Surrey to embed that across the whole hospital.”
— Robin Barker, CEO & Founder, We Can Talk
By bringing the training directly into their internal learning ecosystem and taking early steps to engage staff in person, Royal Surrey has demonstrated a clear commitment to placing mental health on equal footing with physical care — and making sure that everyone, regardless of role, is supported to play their part.
To find out more about We Can Talk, visit wecantalk.com.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) NHS Trust celebrated its new partnership with We Can Talk through a series of in-person and online events during Mental Health Awareness Week.
We Can Talk is a one-hour mental health e-learning programme designed to build on hospital staff’s existing expertise — enabling all staff, students and volunteers to use their skills more effectively and enhance interactions with patients of all ages experiencing a mental health crisis. The programme has supported over 35,000 hospital staff since 2017.
Members of the We Can Talk team joined staff from PAH to engage colleagues in conversation and encourage sign-up to the e-learning.
“It was incredible to see so many staff and people passing through with an interest in mental health, and the amazing sign-up numbers for the We Can Talk e-learning.”
— Cassie Burke, Mental Health Liaison Nurse, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Pictured left to right: Liv (Lived Experience Advisor), Cassie (Mental Health Liaison Nurse), Robin (CEO & Founder, We Can Talk)
“It was great to meet staff from so many roles who were interested in mental health. I had conversations with security staff, healthcare assistants, nurses, doctors, receptionists, and many more. Anyone you meet in a mental health crisis can make your experience a positive one, and I hope We Can Talk will show staff how.”
— Liv, Lived Experience Advisor, We Can Talk
Pictured (and in header): Celebrating launch day in style — staff signing up to We Can Talk and picking up cupcakes, tote bags and more.
In just a few short hours, over 150 staff registered to start the first of three 15–20 minute modules — each designed to build real-world skills around a core theme:
With the Trust previously sending some staff on Mental Health First Aid training, We Can Talk enables broader access — reaching all 5,000 staff, students and volunteers across the organisation — and introduces a programme specifically focused on the needs of acute hospital staff.
“We’re excited to support staff at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust to go beyond awareness and build their knowledge, confidence and practical skills to support patients attending hospital due to their mental health. We’re excited for this new partnership and to see the impact on patient care and staff experience.”
— Robin Barker, CEO and Founder, We Can Talk
To find out more — or explore bringing We Can Talk to your Trust — visit wecantalk.com.
We Can Talk has launched a new organisational training model, offering NHS trusts unlimited access to one-hour, evidence-based mental health e-learning for hospital staff.
The move supports trusts to respond to the reality that every patient attending hospital has mental health needs—whether or not they arrive in crisis—and that all staff, clinical and non-clinical, have a role to play in providing compassionate, safe care.
Training that meets the scale of need
The training is designed to reflect the reality of modern hospital care: mental health is not a specialist issue—it’s part of every interaction.
We Can Talk’s one-hour, self-directed e-learning is co-delivered with people who have lived experience of attending hospital in crisis. It provides practical tools, language and confidence that staff can apply immediately in their own roles.
With a focus on communication, safety and empowerment, the content is suitable for anyone working in acute care settings—including students, volunteers and contracted staff.
Unlimited access, simple delivery
From 2025, trusts can access We Can Talk through a 12-month organisational subscription with unlimited licences across the workforce.
The training is:
• Delivered via secure web link
• Independent of NHS systems
• Exportable to internal learning records
This model allows trusts to train staff at scale—quickly and affordably.
Pricing
• £9,999 (incl. VAT) – for trusts with one Type 1 emergency department
• £19,999 (incl. VAT) – for trusts with more than one
Trusted by hospitals across the UK
More than 35,000 hospital staff have already completed We Can Talk training. On average, staff report being:
• 18 times more confident, and
• 30 times more knowledgeable
…when supporting patients attending due to their mental health.
Feedback from partner trusts shows measurable improvements in staff wellbeing, patient experience, and risk-related incidents.
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