Understanding People’s Unique Needs
Tee Ngundu, one of our Community Psychiatric Nurses, highlights the importance of recognising each person’s individuality when providing support.
"When you're working with someone, it is paramount to understand their preferences, their goals, and what they aspire to do in life. Each person is unique, and what they want to achieve looks different. We work collaboratively to create care plans that align with their goals, breaking them down into manageable steps so they can see progress and feel a sense of achievement."
Helping people move beyond crisis situations isn’t just about medical care—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Tee notes that many people they support simply want to feel part of something bigger and find a way to live a fulfilled and well-balanced life.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
Chez Musadaidzwa speaks about the importance of building trust and safety for people entering their care.
"When someone comes into our service, we want to provide them with a space that feels safe, like a family home where they feel reassured. Trust is built through consistency, through asking from the very beginning, ‘What do you need? What is your goal?’ This ensures that we tailor our approach to each person’s journey."
Providing care isn’t just about the immediate needs; it’s also about ensuring the right people with the right skills are in place to deliver support effectively.
"We look at whether we have the right team in place—are our clinicians trained? Can we execute the plan to keep the person safe and supported? These are essential questions that shape the care we provide."
Managing Crisis and Upholding Hope
Lesley Robins reflects on the challenges of working with people in distress and the fundamental belief in recovery.
"We work with people who might otherwise remain in hospital, whether we’re preventing admission or facilitating an earlier discharge. The level of distress we manage can be incredibly challenging, but we hold onto the belief that crises are temporary. ‘This too shall pass.’ And with each crisis, there’s an opportunity to learn and preempt future challenges."
Lesley emphasises that the care provided by CPNs at Nurseline Community Services goes beyond the norm.
"The level of compassion and dedication I see in our teams is astounding. I’ve worked in mental health services for many years, and what our clinicians do here is truly remarkable."
The Role of Family and Community in Recovery
Ignatious Bete underscores the significance of involving families and friends in a person’s journey to recovery.
"The perspectives of family and friends are invaluable because they’ve known the person longer than we have. Their insights can help us understand challenges in ways that professional assessments sometimes cannot."
Keeping people connected to their support networks is a priority.
"As much as we do incredible work as professionals, our role is also to ensure that people stay connected with their families and communities. A fulfilling life isn’t just about receiving care—it’s about fostering relationships and maintaining connections."
Co-Producing Care Plans for Real-Life Goals
Co-production is at the heart of how CPNs approach care planning. Tee Ngundu shares a story about how a person’s goal of going on holiday was broken down into achievable steps.
"One person I supported wanted to go abroad on holiday—a huge goal. So we worked together to set smaller, achievable steps leading up to it. We started with trips closer to home, gradually building confidence and a sense of accomplishment. By working collaboratively with a network of professionals, we helped them take the necessary steps towards achieving something meaningful to them."
The Magic of Connection
For CPNs, the most rewarding moments come from making genuine connections with the people they support. Lesley Robins describes the power of these moments
"There’s a moment when you look someone in the eye and tell them, ‘You still have control over this. You can influence your care, your treatment, and your future.’ And then you see it—the light bulb moment, the recognition that they are not powerless. That is the magic of mental health nursing."
These moments of trust, empowerment, and hope are what make their work so impactful.
The Bigger Picture
CPNs at Nurseline Community Services are more than mental health professionals—they are advocates, problem solvers, and, most importantly, sources of hope. By working collaboratively with people, families, and broader networks, they ensure that community transitions are not just about leaving the hospital but about moving towards a fulfilling life.
Would you like to learn more about how CPNs support people in community transitions? Get in touch with us today.
