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:
- Communication – building trust and enhancing patient–staff relationships
- Safety – conversations about risk and suicide
- Empowerment – promoting patient autonomy and participation in care decisions
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.