S3 Ep7 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as psychosis, extreme self-harm and discussions around complex mental which some listeners may find triggering. For four years Kathleen has been a patient at St Andrew's Healthcare in Northampton but after receiving treatment for some serious self-harmi…

S3 Ep6 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as psychosis, troubled childhood and discussions around complex mental which some listeners may find triggering. Yusuf came to St Andrew’s Healthcare during the pandemic and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was nothing like the sort of place he h…

S3 Ep5 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as self-harm and eating disorders which some listeners may find triggering. Saffron has been in mental health services for a decade, but the 19-year-old has turned a corner while at St Andrew’s Healthcare and is determined this will be her last time in …

S3 Ep4 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as self-harm, psychosis, depression which some listeners may find triggering. Sedona keeps busy during her stay at St Andrew’s Healthcare by making up care packages for children who are also staying in hospital. She also has a lot of hobbies such as pla…

***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as self-harm and depression which some listeners may find triggering. Meet Mark who has been on a recovery journey using autobiographical music therapy during his stay at the secure psychiatric hospital St Andrew’s Healthcare in Essex. During the episode he ta…

***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as suicide, rapid cycling bipolar, depression and death which some listeners may find triggering. Julie has been a patient at St Andrew’s Healthcare for nearly three years. She has found solace in maintaining the garden there and has become very attached to th…

***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as substance abuse, child abuse, anger and psychosis which some listeners may find triggering. Join Vicky who is getting ready to be discharged from the secure psychiatric hospital St Andrew’s Healthcare in Essex. During the episode she takes presenter and sta…

**Trigger warning - This episode contains a discussion about suicide.** As the schools go back after lockdown 3, John explores what education is available to St Andrew's patients, and how this can help with their recovery. If you like John our host, are interested in developing a career in healthcare you can consider taking healthcare courses as an…

**Trigger warning - this episode contains a discussion about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.** We're back with our latest episode of our award-winning podcast! This episode is very special, as for the first time ever, we speak to a newly discharged patient and their carer, as they talk about a wonderful story of recovery, hope, and inspiration. No…

In this special edition of our award-winning podcast, we go Off the Ward, and speak to those working and accessing mental health treatment in the criminal justice system. Find out how the support which St Andrew's is providing is helping address mental health issues and offending behaviours. We also explore whether mental health support can actuall…

In this episode, Staff Nurse and host John Waldron talks about the social aspect of mental health, and how social life can affect people inside and outside the hospital. Join John, a former patient, and a social worker, as they discuss the challenges and benefits that a social life can have on your mental health. Support the show…

We're back with series two of On the Ward. A lot has changed, the ward has gone through a global pandemic, making life harder for both patients and staff. In this episode we hear from a staff member who contracted Covid and ended up in hospital, and a patient, about how she coped. Support the showBy St Andrew's Healthcare

St Andrew’s Healthcare is back with a one-off special exploring what life is like for patients and staff on a secure mental health ward during the COVID-19 outbreak. From being unable to go out, or see family face-to-face, to staff having to wear PPE, the episode, hosted by staff nurse John Barry Waldron, explores the additional challenges and anxi…

In this episode, Staff Nurse John-Barry Waldron seeks to answer some of the burning questions which listeners have sent in – which cover everything from electric shock therapy, to the checks which happen in the hospital. Healthcare Assistant Michael Mullally, along with the patient featured in episode 1, were on hand to answer the queries. Support …

Episode 4 of the On the Ward podcast reveals what it’s like to move on from a mental health hospital and return to life in the community. It features two patient voices, who soon hope to be discharged from St Andrew’s. One of the patients featured has been in secure services for more than 10 years and is soon to be discharged to go a rehab facility…

Episode 3 focuses on music and how important this is in helping patients through their recovery journeys. During the podcast we hear some original songs, written and performed by our patients. One patient opens up to the host of the podcast and nurse, John-Barry Waldron, about her six months at St Andrew's, and how our team have helped her to make …

Episode 2 of 'On the Ward: Fit Mind' focuses on sport and exercise and how important this is in helping patients through their mental health journey. We hear from one patient who has cannabis psychosis- a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them. The patient opens up to nurse, and h…

A unique five-part podcast, hosted by staff nurse John-Barry Waldron, which challenges some of the myths and taboos around mental illness in the UK today, as it provides listeners with a rare look into what life is like for patients and staff living and working in a secure mental healthcare hospital. In Episode 1 of ‘On the Ward’ we hear from one p…