Arts in mental health charity CoolTan Arts has won an ‘Innovation Award’ for its Mental Health Wellbeing Advisers Project.

Created by the South London Membership Council, the Innovation, Diffusion and Excellence in Healthcare Education and Training awards were created to celebrate innovation and educational excellence. Categories included ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community’, ‘Best Learning and Development Strategy’, and ‘Best Healthcare Education Learning and Training Programme’, and amongst the winners were local organisations, teams and individuals.

The winning CoolTan Arts project has been awarded £50,000 and will improve patient care by developing Mental Wellbeing Advisers that will enable people to stay well and participate in their own recovery.

These advisers will visit GP surgeries, community settings, the workplace and educational settings by looking for referral and self-referrals. They will then put together an action plan with the person that supports their wellbeing and resilience. This innovativepsychosocial approach will include debt advice and help in the workplace for people who do not need drugs or counselling.

Michelle Baharier, CoolTan Arts CEO (pictured fourth from the right receiving the award), said: “I am very proud that we have won this award and CoolTan has escalated into the reaches of the NHS. It is very inspiring to know that they are now aware of where we are coming from, and the need for innovation in mental health services.”

The Membership Council is held jointly between Health Education South London and the Health Innovation Network, bringing together education, training, innovation and research which will most benefit patients and the workforce. The judging panel was made up of board members from the South London Membership Council, Health Education South London and South London Academic Health Science.