COMMONWEALTH FELLOWS VISIT SHEFFIELD

The Gulu Sheffield Mental Health Partnership hosted two mental health workers from Uganda between February and April 2024.

In the 12 years of partnership with the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital we have hosted 27 other people from the Commonwealth.

Benjamin and Francis are fellows at the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. Benjamin is a clinical officer and Francis, who is also a pastor, is in charge of the mental health unit at the facility.

Their visit was a unique opportunity for Sheffield staff to get to know or work alongside mental health colleagues from a low income setting.

We have many of the same challenges in Sheffield and Gulu but we are at different points of the journey. We would never say ‘we (UK) know best’ but would say instead ‘lets share ideas and see what will work for you’.

Benjamin and Francis were very keen to take ideas home with them. Conversations about life, family, culture, health and mental health amongst others were fascinating, enriching and humbling. They spent time across different Sheffield Health & Social Care services and took a lot away from the experience