Knowledge exchanges - an opportunity for learning and collaboration across Wales
Mae’r cynnwys hwn wedi dod o wefan allanol ac mae ar gael yn Saesneg yn unig.
NHS Wales Executive's Strategic Programme for Mental Health is hosting a series of knowledge exchanges on specific topics, which will take place online and at various sites across Wales. Each knowledge exchange will be hosted by a team or organisation. As part of the knowledge exchanges, participants will share expertise, information and insights between individuals and organisations to foster greater collaboration, learning and innovation.
Sharing knowledge will stimulate ideas and solutions that can be applied in national and local contexts. Knowledge exchanges around the world have resulted in excellent growth of partnerships that have driven significant improvements in the quality and safety of healthcare.
What is a knowledge exchange?
A knowledge exchange is the process of sharing expertise, information, and insights between individuals, organisations, or communities to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation. It involves both the transfer and creation of knowledge, enabling people to gain new ideas, solutions, or perspectives that they can apply in their own contexts. They provide two-way learning, where hosts and visitors share innovations and challenges, and can act as real enablers to adaptive learning for everyone taking part.
A knowledge exchange visit is a structured, immersive experience where experts by occupation and experience share expertise, learn best practices, and build collaborative relationships.
There are benefits for both exchange visit hosts and participants. Hosts will gain new perspectives on their local innovations, from experts who can offer new ideas and alternative solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to refine their knowledge and enhance their learning of the event themes. The overall experience will enable long term partnerships and encourage a quality planning system.
Participating in knowledge exchanges
Each exchange is a two-way learning opportunity. Whilst hosts will be facilitating the visits and providing information about their current delivery models, participants are encouraged to be curious, engage in debates around effectiveness and outcomes, and really utilise the time away to reflect upon how the concept(s) may be implemented in their own area. Further guidance will be provided at the online orientation sessions taking place in advance of the visits.
Participants are welcome to apply for any knowledge exchange. Knowledge exchanges are being held across different sites in Wales, and each will require a different time commitment. Before you apply, please ensure you have permission from your line manager to attend (if applicable) and can arrange your own travel/accommodation requirements. Experts by experience can reclaim their expenses from the NHS Wales Executive, please email NHSWE.SPMH@wales.nhs.uk for further details.
To be accepted for a knowledge exchange, you must also be able to attend/watch on playback a 1-hour orientation session for the theme on Microsoft Teams, and the 1-hour reflection session after the knowledge exchange. These sessions are vital in helping to prepare for the consolidation of learning that will be taken into the conference by your knowledge exchange hosts workshops. During your exchange you will also be required to work with your exchange host to develop a summary of the knowledge developed during local activities.
Applicants can select as many knowledge exchanges as they choose, but before applying, please bear in mind the additional time commitments. Some exchanges may also be happening on the same day. Places will be given on a first come first served basis, and exchange offers will close as soon as the spaces have been filled.
Implementation of a Recovery-based Mental Health System for Wales
Each host site will share their local experiences of implementing specific aspects of a recovery-based system approach, along one of three main themes:
- Theme 1: Transforming the community mental health system including:
- Open access care
- Person-centred, recovery oriented, trauma informed practice
- Place based, connected community health services
- Theme 2: Redefining the mental health workforce
- Theme 3: The systematic implementation of PROMs/PREMs in mental health services to support and demonstrate person-centred care
The following information provides a brief description of the knowledge exchange and anticipated learning outcomes, as provided by each host.
Interested in taking part in a knowledge exchange?
Recognising the value for two-way learning, anyone can attend the knowledge exchanges. Experts by occupation and/or experience are encouraged to participate. This includes leaders across a variety of roles in mental health services, as well as people with lived experience.
Please book via the Eventbrite link on each knowledge exchange by no later than 26 February 2025. Please note, all exchanges are first come, first served, and once spaces have been filled, the knowledge exchange opportunity will close. Your host will contact you with more information about your knowledge exchange, including contacts, timings and venue/access information.