Welcome to the website for Star Wards, a project which works with mental health trusts to enhance mental health inpatients’ daily experiences and treatment outcomes. We discover, celebrate, share, publicise and inspire excellence in inpatient care, and there is plenty of that all round the country. Our members use and adapt our resources to stimulate and structure therapeutic and enjoyable daily programmes for inpatients in the full range of wards including elderly, rehab, learning disability and secure.

And what impact is it having?

“It’s what I came into nursing to do.”

“Better client feedback, increased staff satisfaction, less aggression and violence, more therapeutic contact.”

On this website you’ll find:

• the Library, with it’s huge collection of Star Wards information and resources
• the Star Wards blog with all the latest Star Wards news, reports of what members are doing around the country and other items of interest
• information on how to join Star Wards
• — and a whole lot more!

Star Wards Publications

The core of Star Wards are two resources packed with advice, research and practical, yet inspiring ideas.

Star Wards 1 was the original publication, with the original 75 ideas. In 2008 it was joined by the stunningly originally named Star Wards 2, which added hundreds of new ideas generated by wards up and down the UK.

Visit our publications page where you can download a copy, and check out tall the other fantastic resources and information from Star Wards members.

Join Star Wards!

Over 400 wards are already members of Star Wards.

“This has been the easiest initiative I have ever had to implement and has been extremely positively received by patients, staff and visitors alike.”

Get (and contribute to!) the regular e-newsletter, the Star Wards website and our regional and national networking events. Make the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission happy. Make your finance people happy - it’s free to join!

• Find out more information about joining Star Wards
• Email us if you're interested
• See a googlemap of all our members

Bright is very grateful for the support of the John Ellerman Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, LankellyChase Foundation, Comic Relief, NIMHE, The Goldsmiths’ Charity, Women of the Year Foundation, Department of Health, UnLtd, South Staffordshire and Shropshire Trust and the Allen Lane Foundation.

Star Wards is a project of Bright.

Star Wards Shop

The Star Wards shop is your place to buy Star Wards merchandise.

Like all the best acute wards, it’s open 24/7, therapeutic (retail therapy and all that) and surprisingly fun. But unlike acute wards you get to use a shopping trolley and access it by clicking here

You can even apply the Star Wards’ design to t-shirts and other products of your choice by going here!