Maresa Ness, Chief Executive of Mosaic Clubhouse (hosts of the Living Well Partnership in Effra Road, Brixton) has clinched the prestigious COLLABORATION (INTEGRATION) AWARD in the Third Sector Care Awards, organised by CMM (Care Management Matters).
This comes hot on the heels of Mosaic Clubhouse, as part of the international Clubhouse community being awarded the world’s largest humanitarian award, the Conrad N. Hilton prize worth 1.5 million dollars, presented to organisations that are doing extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering.
Maresa received her award (sponsored by Bollington Insurance) from top TV host Esther Rantzen- herself appointed a Dame Commander in the New Year’s Honours List – at a ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel.
The judging panel includes people who have experience of using care services and this year welcomed Experts by Experience from Choice Support and the Royal Hospital.
The award, which focuses on collaboration/integration with individuals with lived experience and across health and social care, “had some excellent nominations” but the judges chose “one organisation, its values and approach really illustrated where the strengths model of mental health and wellbeing (aspirations and confidence) can create meaningful futures.”
Excellent collaborations
The Judges’ statement praised Mosaic for its “seamless approach; where all individuals (staff and people with lived experience) are valued adults and where there is true equality in support. An organisation that does not see barriers but opportunities. An organisation that is solutions based. An organisation that builds proactive relationships with local communities, CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) and Primary Care, Forensic services, criminal justice and rehabilitation, and in-patient services.
“They link in early to support individuals with their own pathway. This organisation has developed a clubhouse which is dynamic, user-led and has excellent collaborations.”
Mosaic Clubhouse was described by NEF (National Economics Foundation) as one of two of “the most powerful examples” of co-production in mental health. In a recent report by NEF, commissioned by Mind (NEF 2013) co-production at Mosaic was featured as an example of best practice and described as a ‘user organised and run peer network’.
Said Maresa, whose own moving story is captured below: “We are so excited! This amazing award validates the work that members and staff do together every day to change people’s lives. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year so the timing is brilliant. We are so grateful to all our supporters and funders, in particular Lambeth council and NHS Lambeth and to the Lambeth Collaborative who gave us the opportunity to extend our service offering in 2013. We are part of a network of services in Lambeth offering choice and opportunity for people living with mental health conditions.”
Maresa is pictured above with Esther Rantzen and Carl Shaw, Commercial Director from Bollington Insurance, who sponsored the award.
Photo: Ravi Chandarana
Read Maresa’s recent article in Governance International on how Mosaic’s innovative and co-produced ways of working are getting the best outcomes for service users and commissioners. Click here
You can hear more about Maresa’s personal journey by clicking here
Read more about Mosaic at www.mosaic-clubhouse.org
Karen Hooper