18 February 2019

Congratulations to Peter Helmer, mindfulness practitioner who is our latest hidden gem, following a patient nomination quoting ‘there should be more people like him in the world’.

Peter works as a recovery/mindfulness practitioner at the CNWL Club Drug Clinic, a service for people who have begun to experience problems with their use of recreational drugs.

His role involves working with clients through their treatment and providing one-to-one mindfulness groups and sessions.

Peter Helmer (right) with his hidden gem award from Louise Morton (left), Divisional Nursing Director

Peter’s nomination was the longest received, part of it read:

“Peter has this natural ability, which I appreciate so much, to calm me down and keep me focused even on my ‘low’ days.

“We started with mindfulness and bit of meditation to balance me out at the beginning, which was so new to me. I was able to talk and express myself completely openly to Peter without feeling judged or misunderstood.

“Peter has saved my life and I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the help, trust and believe he put in me. My journey is not over yet, but I’m on the right track thanks to Peter.”

Peter started working in CNWL in 2012, previously working as an actor musician.

“I never thought I would find a job that pulls all the threads of interest and life experience together and lets me work in a way that uses these strengths, but I have.

I feel blessed that the team I work with are amazing, supportive and most importantly, they’re funny! So this feels like a collective ethos we have at the clinic of working in a very human way, and to be recognised for that is really great.”

Becky Harris, Service Manager at Club Drug Clinic, is delighted at Peter’s award.

“He has been an integral member of the Club Drug Clinic team for many years and is equally popular with colleagues and clients. It is wonderful to see his contribution recognised in this way.”

The team are also celebrating for being shortlisted at the BMJ Awards, for their Mental Health Team of the Year 2019.