Digni-trees for Dignity in Action Day

In, and around, 1st February 2019 services across Optalis marked Dignity Action Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the importance of dignity in care. Services hosted events and activities that sparked an interest and discussion on the topic of dignity. Some services created a ‘Digni-tree’ 

A colleague reflected on the experience within her service 

“Customers struggled at first when we asked what dignity means to them. But when the question was broken down we had great responses, including from people who aren’t normally comfortable with these kinds of exercises.  As staff we found it useful and will take it all on board when supporting our customers. It really did make some staff think.”

Whilst a family member remarked 

“I believe dignity for (my daughter) means being kept clean, dressed and well...being treated as a normal person, with patience and kindness.”

Here are a selection of comments about what our customers’ value and how they wish to be treated:

• Involvement in decision making
• Treated as an individual
• Valued member of society
• Being cheerful, friendly and caring
• Trust and honesty
• Having an open mind – a willingness to listen and learn
• When staff come to help with things I struggle with, but not too quickly
• Respectful, thoughtful and considerate
• Understanding, tolerance, patience, charm and care
• Someone who is faithful and doesn’t let you down
• Being courteous and polite
• Compassion and empathy
• Empower, advocacy and inclusion
• Give space
• Equality
• Appreciative
• Warmth, love and friendship
• Belief
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Encouragement
• Positivity
• Kindness
• Accepting