People Participation (PP) Lead for Estates and Facilities Gari Belasco is integrating service user perspectives into the maintenance and enhancement of Trust facilities.

Could you tell us about your role?
My primary responsibility is to ensure that the voices of our service users are integral to the ongoing development and upkeep of our estate and facilities. It’s about understanding what matters to them so we can tailor our services to meet their needs effectively. 

What drew you to this position? 

After two decades in NHS pharmacy, I was ready for a change. Learning about this role, I saw a fantastic opportunity to continue serving within the NHS but in a capacity that directly impacts our mental health community. It was an exciting and meaningful new challenge. 

What were some initial hurdles you encountered? 
The role was new within the estates team, so I had to define it from the ground up. While I had strong support from the team, it was a learning curve for all of us to understand and integrate this role’s functions effectively within our existing framework. 

Can you highlight some of the main projects you’re involved in? 

We have several key initiatives such as PLACE (Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment), PYIMS (Put Yourself In My Shoes), and our Environment Assurance Group (EAG). We also focus on safety through various groups, and we’ve recently launched Food Committees at the Homerton site in City and Hackney to improve all aspects of food provision. Another exciting project is our Flag Flying policy at the trust headquarters, which promotes inclusion and representation. 

How do you incorporate sustainability into these projects? 

Sustainability is central to everything we do. We have a dedicated Estates Sustainability team involved in all projects. My role involves collaborating closely with them and it’s been a fantastic learning journey about how we can minimise our environmental impact while maximising efficiency. 

What impact do you see these initiatives having on ELFT? 

These projects significantly impact ELFT by ensuring that our service users are engaged and involved at every step. Our goal is to be the best NHS trust by fostering a community where everyone feels included and represented. The People Participation initiative is pivotal in achieving this, helping us build a supportive and cohesive environment.