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Mental Health Service User and Carer Reference Group
- We are Service Users & Carers who hope to have a voice in shaping
the future of Mental Health Services in Leeds, based on personal
experience oflong or short duration.
- We are a diverse group of people who seek more appropriate Mental
Health Services in Leeds. Together, we want the Services that we want and
not what the Service Providers feel is best for us.
- We take issues concerning Mental Health Services to the Modernisation
Team for Mental Health. We represent Service Users and Carers troughout
Leeds to try and make the services better for everyone who uses
them.
- We are a group of Service User & Carers with diverse backgrounds
and experiences in Mental Health Services. We have rich life experiences
and a wealth of talent and ability, as a result we can bring a vaulable
input to service planning. We do this by attending the Modernisation Team
and its many sub groups.
- "I am a User and Carer of mixed race who has been involved for 3
years. I have a diagnosis of manic depression and other physical health
problems and have sought ot become involved with the Reference Group and
feel good about having a voice in teh planning of services".
Our meetings - when, where and what happens
We meet in a fully accessible venue - St Chad's Parish Hall which is
just off Otley Road in Far Headingley, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on the
3rd Thursday in the month.
Issues raised from discussion at our meetins are taken to the
Modernisation Team, who are resposible for commissioning, reviewing and
providing Mental Health Services in Leeds.
- "We discuss issues of concern to Service Users and Carers throughout
Leeds. We then take questions to teh Modernisation Team where we have a
dedicated Agenda Item to Service User & Carer Issues."
- "We sometimes have speakers visit the group to talk about new
Services in Mental Health."
- It is a great way to express your views and be heard by those who can
make the changes."
- "We meet informally to discuss the work of the Modernisation Team,
where andwhen changes in Services will happen and discuss the Service
User and Carerpoint of view."
How we like to run our meetings
- R - responsibility
- E - Energy
- S - Support
- P - Punctuality
- E - Equality
- C - Confidentiality
- T - Talk One at a Time
Aims and Objectives of Modernisation Team - Mental Health
- To co-ordinate all planning, reviewing and commissioning of Mental
Health Services in Leeds. The Team meets once a month and has Service
User and Carer representatives from the REference Group, in addition to
representatives from Social Services, the Trust and the Voluntary
Sector.
- To be aware of gaps in services and to take the necessary steps to
fill them.
- To divide up the work by forming sub groups to take forward certain
areas e.g. Crisis Resolution, Early Intervention and Women's Task
Groups.
- To try and provide for anyone who uses Mental Health services, quick
and easy access. They are striving for a better system.
- To respect andacknowledge diversity and the need for culturally
sensitive services in Leeds.
Some of the work we have done as a group
- We have input into the PCT mental health forums and other
involvement structures throughout the city.
- We are working with the Trust to provide un-biased information on
ECT that will be aveilable to all Service
Users & Carers.
- We are involved in the Black & Minority Ethnic carers steering
group and have made link swith BME groups throught the city to
ensure that we are as fully representational as possible.
- We are working on a pilot monitoring and evaluation scheme of mental
health services in Leeds to be carried out by service users and
carers.
- We have worked towards the provision of a suicide / bereavement
worker in Leeds.
- We are working on a Service User & Carer Involvement Strategy
& Charter for Leeds.
About our funding
The Modernisation Team - Mental Health pays for the running costs of
the Reference Group. This includes:
- Out of pocket expenses (such as travel / childcare or care
costs)
- Attendance fees £15 per meeting for those coming to Reference
Group meetings
- Refreshments and venue costs for our meetings
- Training or conference fees
- Cost of personal assistance or other support needed at the
meetings
- Transport Costs
- Support received from Leeds Involvement Project
Support for the Reference Group
In addition to having funding for our meetings, we have a development
worker funded by the Modernisation Team and managed by Leeds Involvement
Project. Her name is Jenny Savage and her role is to provide:
- Help, advice and facilitate at our meetings
- Briefings for members attending other Groups
- Administrative support - sending out mailings, keeping our membership
listup-to-date, helping to produce publicity and promotion materials
- Support for members to take part - booking advocates, Sign Language
interpreters, personal assistants, transcriptions into Braille or on
tape.
- Training, transport and replacement care costs
- A communication link between service users and service
providers.
For more information, contact Jenny Savage.
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