Pennine Care NHS

A large group of people wearing Pennine Care Charity t-shirts and walking gear, at the peak of a hill with a stone marker

Ey up! Fancy joining Pennine Care Charity to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge?

We're excited to have another team taking on the peaks again on Sunday 17 May.

The 24-mile route includes the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough within 12 hours. Drop us a message if interested.

Three healthcare staff and a volunteer standing on hospital ward, holding red plastic trumpets

Taylor Ward in Tameside has welcomed volunteer Jan to lead a weekly trumpet choir session for patients.

It gives patients the chance to focus on something positive, creative and fun.

Even a short session lifts mood, reduces anxiety and helps people feel more connected during their recovery.

Five NHS colleagues holding up copies of their favourite children's books

Our Oldham parent infant mental health service has been celebrating #WorldBookDay by sharing the benefits of reading to your baby - building warmth, security and shared joy.

They're also asking, what's your favourite book?

Follow Parent Infant Mental Health Services, Pennine Care NHS on Facebook

A picture of a nursing assistant in front of a colourful mural. Text at the side says 'We're here to care, not be harmed'.

We've launched a new Respect campaign to promote a culture of kindness, safety and mutual respect across our services.

This sets out clear expectations for patients, service users and visitors about how our staff - and everyone who uses our services - should be treated. Read more on our website.

Seven NHS colleagues in front of a 'three big ambitions' sign

We’ve become the first mental health trust in the country to offer appointment notifications directly through the NHS App, helping you to easily manage your appointments.

The pilot in Bury has already sent more than 7,000 appointment notifications - 44% through the NHS App.

"The most important thing to remember is that you're not expected to be an expert on eating disorders, but there to support in kind, loving and compassionate way."

Danielle from our community eating disorders service has shared this advice on supporting someone with an eating disorder.

Seven NHS colleagues standing in an office setting, wearing NHS lanyards

Eight NHS colleagues standing in front of a blue mural with raindrops

Our community eating disorders service provide support for young people, along with advice to carers and family members.

Meet our colleagues from the north team, which covers Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, and south team, which covers Stockport, Tameside and Glossop.

#EatingDisordersAwarenessWeek

Yellow crescent moon and lanterns with "Ramadan Mubarak" text on a blue background, surrounded by stars.

Illustration of a cross with palm leaves in the background, surrounded by a crown of thorns. The word "Lent" is written below, along with the phrase "A Season of Renewal." The design is in a warm yellow color on a dark blue background.

Warm wishes to Muslim and Christian patients, colleagues and communities who are marking these important traditions from today and tomorrow.

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone who is observing this holy month.

Blessed Lent to those taking part in the 40 day observance from Ash Wednesday until Easter.

Three nursing staff in purple scrubs are sitting on chairs in a room. Two of them are holding plush highland cow toys, and one is holding a plate of haggis. A green stuffed Loch Ness Monster is on a nearby table. Scottish flags and a window showing a parking lot are in the background.

Two stuffed Highland cow toys are on a wooden cabinet against a turquoise wall. Signage above reads "PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE COWS"

A person is standing in a room holding a bottle of Irn-Bru. They are smiling at the camera. A table nearby has some partially eaten food items. Another person off to the side is playfully holding a highland cow sculpture.

On Hope unit, the team are always trying to find fun and creative ways to help young people with their mental health recovery.

They recently held their first ‘cultural day’ - about Scotland with it being around Burns Night, complete with coos, haggis and Irn Bru.

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

Introducing the new icon for neighbourhood mental health teams - the new name for 'living well' services across Greater Manchester.

Thanks to everyone who voted, this icon was chosen as the favourite by over half of voters (and second choice for 27%).

A smiling selfie of Noreen, who has vibrant red hair

"Get it off your chest. I owe Noreen my life. I couldn’t even imagine being where I am today - it’s fantastic.”

Noreen (pictured) and Bury NHS Talking Therapies helped transform the life of Jaime, who lived with severe anxiety and depression for over a decade: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/about-us/lat...

Three colleagues from Pennine Care digital team holding up laptops and mobile phones. In the background is a display which says digital and data strategy

Help us to improve the digital services we offer - including video appointments, websites, patient portal, mobile apps and other online tools.

Our digital team need your views as part of our digital strategy for mental health and learning disability services:
www.penninecare.nhs.uk/about-us/lat...

Have your say on the new neighbourhood mental health services icon and brand by Friday 23 January.

You can vote for your favourite using the link on this webpage: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/living-well-...

Don't forget our own 'your baby and you' video resources which are available in six languages - English, Arabic, Bengali, Polish, Punjabi and Urdu
www.penninecare.nhs.uk/your-baby-an...

Healthcare staff with people in Cinderella character costumes, in a hospital setting

The Meadows in Stockport organise lots of activities to provide some fun, support, reminiscence and a welcome distraction for people living with dementia.

They recently welcomed Tickled Pink for a morning Cinderella pantomime (oh no they didn’t!), with dancing, singing and amazing feedback.

Need to clear your mind? A graphic to promote mental health advice at penninecare.nhs.uk/winter

Winter can be a tough time – but you’re not alone.

Call NHS 111 Mental Health for urgent support 24/7.

You can also drop in to some services:

💚 Bury - BIG Peer-Led Crisis Service
💙 Oldham Listening Space
❤️ Rochdale Listening Lounge
🧡 Stockport Open Door
💜 SAFE Tameside

Details on our website.

Three design concepts for neighbourhood mental health services

From February, 'living well' mental health services across Greater Manchester will change their name 'neighbourhood mental health services' based on your feedback.

You can help to choose a new service icon, to go alongside the new name. Vote on three options: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/living-well-...

Aerial view of green space next the Floyd Unit at Birch Hill, highlighted by a yellow outline, surrounded by roads and other buildings, with a grassy area nearby.

The site of the new garden - a serene landscape featuring a grassy field with scattered wildflowers and a single prominent tree in the center, surrounded by a sparse forest under an overcast sky.

A peaceful countryside landscape featuring a lush green field enclosed by a wire fence, with a solitary tree near the center. Rolling hills are visible in the background under an overcast sky. A small red brick hospital building and cars are visible in the distance to the right.

Pennine Care Charity secured £32,600 from Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund, to transform land at Birch Hill into a community garden and growing space.

This will provide a calm, natural environment for patients to enjoy, supporting our green plan to improve health while tackling climate change.

Nine people standing in a line, in a room with artwork and a Bury involvement group sign in the background

Bury living well service has launched a new weekly community group, to support mental wellbeing and life skills such as routine, preparing food, socialising, and managing emotions.

The group is being shaped by people with lived experience, with a second group planned in Prestwich.

Lisa smiling and holding her dog close to the camera

“Previously I had no hope and couldn’t see a future. But I’m now in a good place. I feel positive and excited about putting some dreams and plans in place."

Stockport mum Lisa shared her recovery story after being supported by Stockport living well service: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/about-us/lat...

Two people standing next to a small table with a memory tree, in front of a large window

Oldham Library now has a baby loss remembrance tree, where parents or family can visit to remember their babies, share their messages, and find information about support services.

We hope this can provide a space for parents to hold your loved ones in mind and get any support you need.

Three individuals standing in a room with a Rotary Club banner in the background, holding colorful knitted items.

Group of healthcare staff smiling next to a decorated Christmas tree, holding a red holiday sack.

Two nursing staff holding boxes of presents labelled Christmas appeal

Large group of healthcare colleagues in an office with Christmas decorations

It’s been lovely to see lots of support and kindness over Christmas.

Thanks to everyone who donated gifts or raised money for our services and patients.

And to everyone who helped to organise donations for local food banks and charity appeals to support those in need over the festive period.

Thanks to everyone who supported Pennine Care Charity in 2025.

Here's a short message from Wes, Pennine Care Charity director.

We have a 500 mile challenge and some other great events if you fancy getting active and giving something back - which are both great for your own mental health!

Seven healthcare professionals gathered around a Christmas tree on a hospital ward

Fifteen healthcare professionals wearing Christmas jumpers, gathered around a Christmas tree on a hospital ward

Four healthcare professionals standing in a doorway decorated with Merry Christmas banners

We hope you have a fantastic Christmas, New Year and festive period, from all of us at Pennine Care NHS.

If you need urgent mental health support and advice, you can call NHS 111 Mental Health any time.

Please note this Bluesky acccount is not monitored between now and the New Year Bank Holiday.

Emily, Olivia and Elle smiling and wearing blue NHS nursing uniforms

A special shout out to all the health and care colleagues working over Christmas and New Year.

Nurses Emily, Olivia and Elle are working Christmas Day on Hope unit, one of our child and adolescent mental health services at Fairfield Hospital in Bury.

Smiling mature man using a smartphone at home

Share your views on digital support for mental health and learning disability services.

We are improving the digital services we offer - including video appointments, websites, patient portal, mobile apps and other online tools.

For details visit: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/about-us/lat...

Simon and his partner walking hand in hand through a forest. Rodney, a white dog wearing a coat, is looking back at the camera

"Without therapy, I wouldn’t have got a dog through fear I wouldn’t have enough time to look after one. Thanks to Ruth, I realised I can make time, and it’s great for me."

Simon from Royton was helped by NHS Talking Therapies when work stress and anxiety affected his health. Story on our website.

A selfie of healthcare colleagues and a rabbi

Three healthcare colleagues at a Chanukah event with information materials and food on a table

Chanukah Sameach. Wishing our Jewish patients, colleagues and communities a happy Hanukkah.

The Jewish festival of light started on Sunday evening and lasts until next Monday.

Our chaplain Rabbi Chanan Tomlin led a celebration at the Irwell unit in Bury.

Two people holding up wreaths they have made in an office decorated with a Christmas tree

Four people holding up wreaths they have made in an office decorated with a Christmas tree

A healthcare worker balancing two snowmen crafted from socks on her shoulders

A room full of people from Stockport living well team holding up artwork and creative activities

Being creative, learning new skills and practicing mindfulness all have a positive impact on our mental health.

The process of creating and doing an activity – drawing, painting, writing, making something – can be a good meditative practice to focus, reduce stress, improve mood and self-esteem.

A person standing behind a stall with Pennine Care Charity branding

Two ladies holding Pennine Care Charity fundraising buckets, standing in a pub in front of a Christmas tree

A large group of runners dressed in Santa outfits

Thanks to everyone at Saddleworth Santa Dash and at The Snipe who made a donation to Pennine Care Charity the past weekends.

Your generosity has raised over £400 towards community-based groups and projects for people who use our mental health, learning disability and autism services.