Women's ward service users have their say
Service users across IMPACT's women's secure pathway have taken the lead in reviewing and greenlighting funding bids.
Through the Direct Development Fund (DDF), a co-production initiative, the service users took control - judging applications on their ability to improve dignity, social connection and personal development for women during their time in hospital.
The DDF forms part of NHS England's Women's Secure Pathway Transformation Programme, a national initiative designed to improve the quality of care, experience and outcomes for women in secure mental health services across England.
IMPACT provider collaborative, which is responsible for adult secure service (low and medium) delivery across the East Midlands, received 15 funding applications from its 5 units. Applications were not simply assessed on their ideas alone - bids were required to be co-produced with people with lived experience of the women's secure pathway and needed to clearly demonstrate the outcomes they intended to achieve and how these would be measured. Rather than leaving funding decisions solely to clinicians and managers, IMPACT took a different approach, handing the decision-making power directly to the people who live it every day.
A dedicated Service Users' Selection Panel was established, with one representative from each unit. Panel members took part in three structured workshops: learning what makes a strong application, reviewing all bids together and offering feedback, and reaching a final decision on funding. The process was thorough, fair, and led by the people who know these wards best.
The panel recommended that 8 applications be funded. The ideas put forward reflect the genuine priorities of women living in secure settings:
- Calmer environments
- More time outdoors
- Better sensory support
- Creative outlets
- Improved communication
Funded projects include a sensory garden and outdoor games area, a music studio, sensory and de-escalation spaces, community activities, apps and Makaton to improve communication between service users and staff.
The selection panel showed real creativity in their thinking. They highlighted the therapeutic value of gardening and outdoor activity, celebrated ideas that promote communication and connection, and asked incisive questions about long-term sustainability. Their feedback was consistently constructive, focusing on helping wards improve their bids, not simply turning them down.
One participant described the experience as making them feel respected, included, happy, adding that it had given them confidence in representing service users and having a voice.
Another participant reflected on the importance of service user involvement: Service users' involvement matters as we are the people who have to live with the decisions. It is our journey. They also praised the group dynamic: Even when it was their own ward's application being discussed, panel members were fair and open to feedback.
IMPACT and its selection panel are looking forward to seeing the changes on the wards over the next few months and will continue to work in partnership with service users to look at how to evaluate the project.