TranslateSocial Values Report 2025–26 | Theme 4: Promoting People, Communities and Social Values
Pathways and Partnerships: A Careers Leads Event
A new Careers Leads Event was introduced this year to support the member of staff in local schools and colleges who is responsible for helping students understand their future options and make informed decisions about education, training and employment. The is the next step in building stronger partnerships with education providers and enhancing the support available to young people exploring their future pathways.
11 representatives joined the event to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse career pathways including clinical, non‑clinical, professional and vocational roles. By opening our doors and sharing insight into the breadth of opportunities we offer, we helped educators gain the knowledge they need to guide students toward meaningful and sustainable careers.
A standout moment came from Trust employee Jessica Lees, who spoke about her journey through two consecutive apprenticeships within the Trust. Her story highlighted the real impact of our commitment to nurturing talent, supporting progression and creating accessible routes into employment.
Beyond showcasing opportunities, the event also created a platform for open dialogue. Careers Leads shared the challenges their students face, from navigating post‑16 choices to overcoming barriers to employment and how we can work together to address these issues. These conversations deepened our shared understanding and reinforced our role as an anchor organisation committed to supporting local people into good work.
Feedback from attendees reflected the value of the day, with one Careers Lead noting that it was a wonderful session with the right balance of apprentices and opportunities for networking.
By bringing educators and the Trust together, the event strengthened partnerships, supported informed career guidance and contributed to our wider mission of improving social mobility and creating long‑term social value for our communities.
‘’I thought it was a wonderful session - the right balance of apprentices and opportunities for networking. My feedback would be let's keep doing the sessions.’’
Measure of success
11 Career leads join new networking event
Art with a Heart
Awareness days are an opportunity for our communications team to join a wider conversation and step into a narrative that’s already capturing public attention to highlight the support, referral pathways, and self‑help options people might not otherwise know exist.
For the second year, to mark, World Mental Health Day we held an art exhibition entitled ‘Creative Connections’, inviting patients and members of the public to submit artwork for display.
The event transformed a space in local shopping centre, Princes Quay into an art exhibition and creative workshops, welcoming visitors to view and create art.
At the centre of the event was Art Draws Us Together, a collaborative installation created by local artist Charlotte Eldred and inspired by the colour and energy of Hull Fair. Throughout the day, visitors of all ages stopped to draw their own doodle portraits, each one added to a growing Hull cityscape. The artwork captured the essence of the day: people coming together, creating side by side, and finding comfort and connection through art. Visitors were also able to take part in mindful colouring and Kintsugi workshops and visit a marketplace of Trust services including 0-19’s and Talking Therapies.
This celebration reflects our wider social value commitments by promoting wellbeing, connection and inclusion, all central priorities within the Trust’s strategy. Through events like Creative Connections, we continue to invest in activities that improve quality of life, celebrate diversity and create meaningful social value across the communities we serve.
Measure of Success
100 visitors and participants at World Mental Health Day event
“Everyone had a great time at the event we attended today. Thank you for putting it on.” Her words capture the spirit of the day, one of joy, inclusion and togetherness. Activity Co‑ordinator Stephanie Simms
Stronger Together: Connecting Communities in Bridlington
In June 2025, a free community event in Bridlington brought together people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, alongside professionals and partner organisations, to improve awareness of local services and promote social inclusion. The event formed part of a wider Trust led initiative to develop Learning Disability Community Hubs across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, helping to create more accessible, community-based support.
The event enabled attendees to access information, engage in activities and connect directly with services in a relaxed environment. Alongside practical advice and guidance, the day also included a range of accessible activities including football, dance classes and boxing.
Partner organisations were on hand to offer support across a wide range of areas, including housing, employment, health, volunteering and community engagement. Bringing these services together in one place made it easier for individuals and families to explore available support, helping to reduce barriers to access and improve understanding of what is available locally. The event also provided an opportunity for professionals to build relationships and strengthen collaborative working across sectors.
This work is closely linked to the development of Learning Disability Community Hubs, which will provide ongoing, neighbourhood-based drop in sessions offering advice, support and signposting.
Feedback from families and carers has highlighted the importance of clear, accessible information and the value of being able to connect directly with services in a supportive environment. Events like this play an important role in empowering individuals to make informed choices, build confidence and strengthen their connection to their local community.
“Events like this make a real difference. Being able to meet services face to face in a friendly environment helps people feel more confident and supported and makes it easier to understand what help is available.”
Family member
Measure of success
17 stall holders attended the Hull event and 18 attended the Bridlington Event including statutory services, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise services and charities such as Hull KR Foundation, Tigers Trust and Gig buddies.
Lived Experience, Real Impact
Our experts by experience are people who use their own lived insight to shape and strengthen the work we do. They take part in interviews, workshops, service design sessions, and feedback panels, offering perspectives that can only come from having navigated support first‑hand.
Over the past year, the programme has continued to grow, strengthening how communities are involved in decision making and embedding more inclusive, person centred approaches across the Trust.
For the first time, our Communications team working alongside young people and adult experts by experience, to co-produce a trauma informed communications guide. Through a series of in person and online workshops, participants shared their experiences of how communication, including social media, website content and patient letters, can impact how safe, respected and understood they feel.
This approach creates meaningful impact at both an individual and organisational level. Experts by Experience were able to build confidence, strengthen their skills, and feel recognised for the expertise they bring. At the same time, staff gained deeper insight into people’s real experiences of services, helping to drive a shift towards more compassionate, recovery‑focused, and inclusive practice.
“My involvement gave me a sense of purpose and empowerment, knowing that my experiences could contribute to improving services for others. It also helped build my confidence and strengthened my ability to communicate my perspectives effectively. For the Trust, incorporating lived experience helps ensure that services are more person centred, inclusive, and responsive to real needs.”
Measure of success
32 projects, activities and pieces of work across the Trust included Expert by Experience involvement
45 Experts by Experience contributed a combined 900 hours of paid involvement
Charity at the Heart of Care
Trust charity, Health Stars play a vital role in delivering social value by funding initiatives that go beyond core NHS provision. Through the generosity of supporters and fundraisers, the charity continues to invest in projects that improve experiences of care, reduce inequalities and support long term wellbeing.
This funding has enabled a wide range of initiatives that enhance care environments, provide additional therapeutic support and respond flexibly to the needs of local communities.
One example of this impact is the funding of a specialist aromatherapy service for young people experiencing mental health difficulties. Delivered by clinical aromatherapist Debra McAdam, the service provides a safe, calming space for young people accessing CAMHS, Looked After Children services and eating disorder support. Following Talking Therapy sessions, young people are able to use aromatherapy to process emotions and regulate their sensory experiences through tailored essential oil blends. Treatments include massage, scalp therapies, hot stone treatments and no hands approaches, all designed to promote relaxation and emotional safety. Many young people become deeply relaxed during sessions, with some falling asleep, particularly those experiencing anxiety, trauma or sleep difficulties.
Health Stars has also supported improvements in dignity and compassionate care within the Avondale Acute Assessment Mental Health Unit. Patients often arrive in crisis, sometimes with only the clothes they are wearing due to emergency admission, homelessness or police involvement. The availability of clean, comfortable clothing can have a significant impact on how safe and respected someone feels at this critical moment. Funding from Health Stars has enabled the unit to expand its provision of essential clothing, including a wider range of sizes and items such as jogging bottoms, T shirts and vests. This has been particularly important in addressing previous gaps in provision for male patients.
By enabling innovation and compassion beyond core provision, the charity continues to make a meaningful and lasting difference to the people and communities the Trust serves.
“I spend time getting to know each young person and make a special blend of essential oils just for them. Whether they’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, sleep problems, or sensory issues, I tailor the session to support whatever they need most.”
Debra McAdam, Clinical Aromatherapist
“Emergency clothing ensures every patient receives the same compassionate standard of care. It helps people feel respected and safe at a time when they may feel overwhelmed. It sends a clear message: you matter, and you are safe here.”
Aimee, Activity Coordinator
Measure of success
£215,973 in charitable funding in 2025 to 2026
Embedding lived experience from ward to board
In response to feedback from service users asking for more paid opportunities, the Trust developed and implemented a recruitment, training and delivery model, that has enabled patients to take on paid roles as Ward Representatives.
Launched as a six-month pilot in Forensic in-patient wards, two service users per ward to undertake a paid involvement roles for three hours per month.
‘Ward Reps’ play a key role in connecting service users with the ‘Humber Voices’, co-production group, ensuring that feedback flows consistently from ward to board and that involvement opportunities are shared back with ward communities. This has strengthened co-production across the service and created a clear, sustainable route for service user voice to influence decision making.
The model has been co-produced throughout, including the development of an application and interview process aligned to our ‘Being Humber’ behavioural standards. A structured training offer has also been introduced, including the creation of a paid Expert by Experience trainer role, where a service user now supports the development of new representatives. Trust charity, Health Stars has further enhanced the initiative by funding resources such as branded clothing and materials, helping to build identity, visibility and confidence in the role.
The pilot has strengthened engagement in co production activity, improved the consistency of representation across wards and increased the number of lived experience roles within the service. It has also contributed to a more collaborative, trauma informed approach, where staff and service users work together to improve experiences of care.
The impact has been felt strongly at an individual level. Service users involved in the programme have reported improved confidence, increased sense of purpose and positive effects on their mental health and recovery. The opportunity to contribute, develop skills and be recognised for their input has helped individuals feel valued and supported in their recovery journey.
“Delivering rep training was a bit tricky at times, I worked hard to slow it down… it means I’m helping others so they can help themselves and I am getting more out of my rep job.”
Service User Expert by Experience Trainer
Measure of success
- Nine service user Ward Reps recruited and trained, with eight currently active
- 72 hours of paid work completed by service users, supporting meaningful involvement
