The South Eastern Trust is celebrating international recognition after an innovative mentoring project won a global Patient and Community Engagement Award at the BMJ IHI Global Improvers Awards in Oslo, Norway.
The Ask HIM (Health Information Mentor) project is a partnership between Healthcare in Prison staff in the South Eastern Trust, the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Belfast Metropolitan College, through its 360 programme. Central to the success of the initiative are the men in custody who helped design and lead the project.
The Ask HIM peer mentor network was developed with men in custody, who named and branded the initiative. Ask HIM mentors greet new arrivals, explain healthcare services and help make it easier for people to access support.
Mentors are active across HM Prison Maghaberry, wearing distinctive red Ask HIM T-shirts which make them visible, approachable and proud of their role. They act as positive role models, helping connect people to care and supporting wellbeing.
Mentors have co-designed induction sessions, health campaigns and group programmes covering blood-borne viruses, anxiety, sleep hygiene and living well in prison. They also work alongside Prison Officers to run a Men’s Shed initiative for individuals who may be isolated and provide multilingual wellbeing sessions to support foreign nationals.
A key feature of the project is that mentors are actively involved in improving the programme. They developed the data collection approach used to record daily activities and identify themes in conversations with new arrivals. These insights help shape improvements and ensure the programme responds to the needs of those in custody.
Mentors have also helped create the project’s governance arrangements, including probation periods, supervision, psychological debriefing, training and team building. They now take part in recruiting and training new mentors alongside the engagement lead and the Prison Governor.
The BMJ IHI Global Improvers Awards celebrate outstanding improvement work in health and care systems across the world, recognising initiatives that demonstrate meaningful impact for patients and communities.
Delighted to receive the award in partnership, South Eastern Trust, Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability, Psychological Services and Healthcare in Prison, Rachel Gibbs, said, “I am genuinely delighted that the Ask HIM Peer Mentor Network has been recognised with the BMJ IHI Global Improvement Award for Patient and Community Engagement. This means so much to everyone who has poured heart, courage and lived experience into this partnership.
“This award reflects the power of people coming together with care and purpose. In close partnership with the Northern Ireland Prison Service Safety Team, Belfast Met College, Start 360 and the Health Engagement Team in the Trust, is helping to shape a more human, people‑centred approach to the health and wellbeing of the prison community.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the project, South Eastern Trust, Assistant Director in Quality Improvement, Dr Ruth Gray, added, “Through honest conversations and bold co‑design with men in custody, prison staff, healthcare colleagues and our community and voluntary partners, we have been able to nurture something truly special; a culture of welcome, trust, and shared agency.
“Our flagship initiative, Ask HIM shows just how transformative lived experience can be. It is opening doors, building confidence and improving access to care in one of the most complex environments imaginable.
“As a partnership we are honoured, inspired and excited to share and continue this work.”