Get involved with mental health

There are various forums and networks for which we would welcome local residents to join in and help to develop the services available in order to improve the mental health and wellbeing of South Gloucestershire.

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Mental health service user and carer engagement forum

This group is made up of people with experience of mental ill health either directly themselves or as a carer.  At any one time two members of the group sit on the Mental Health Partnership meeting to ensure there is a strong user voice in the local decision making process including decisions around the purchasing of some services.  The group also:

  • provides an opportunity to share experiences and make recommendations about local services
  • has a range of guest speakers who keep the group informed about national and local developments in the field of mental health

South Gloucestershire Mental Health Partnership (adult mental health)

The Mental Health Partnership is made up of a wide membership including service users, carers and a range of voluntary and public sector organisations and

  • meets regularly through the year
  • is the main local forum coordinating mental health work across South Gloucestershire
  • leads on the local needs assessment, strategy and action plan
  • works to an annual forward plan that is used to measure progress which is reported publicly but also to the Health and Wellbeing board who have oversight for this area of work.

South Gloucestershire Children and Young People Mental Health Strategy group

The strategy group meets throughout the year and 

  • has a broad membership including Young Healthwatch, voluntary sector groups, public sector partners (including the Integrated Care Board) and South Gloucestershire Council officers
  • runs consultation events with young people to enable them to have a voice in our delivery plans

The group have developed an action plan and is heavily involved in overseeing the CAMHS Transformation plan.  The group in turn reports to the Health and Wellbeing board, the body with overall responsibility for health outcomes across South Gloucestershire.

How to join a local group or read the meeting minutes

If you wish to find out more, get involved or read the minutes of any of these groups please email mentalhealth@southglos.gov.uk

Have you got time and ideas to help us improve mental health in South Gloucestershire?

We are always looking for committed people with the time and energy to help us improve mental health across the area.  There are a number of ways you can get involved:

  • as a befriender who meets up with people who just need a listening and sympathetic ear
  • as a member of one of our local peer support groups that meet regularly to offer support and social contact with other people across South Gloucestershire
  • as a health champion who undertakes a level 2 NVQ in Understanding Health Improvement and then works in your own community to promote a range of health outcomes including improved mental health
  • as a member of our user voice group, you will give feedback on what is working, what is not working and what needs to change to improve mental health in South Gloucestershire
  • by applying for a grant to develop your idea or group to improve mental health in South Gloucestershire you can access the money to turn a good idea into reality.  For information on how to apply for a mental health grant please email mentalhealth@southglos.gov.uk