Service user involvement is about people taking part in shaping mental health services, and takes place in a range of different ways. This might be in reviewing, planning, managing or designing a service, or in staff selection or training.
 
Involving people benefits the organisation and the individuals who use services: by making the service accountable, shaped by people's views, developing ownership and partnership, improving standards and promoting personal growth and self esteem.
 
Since 2001 a Development Worker, local organisations and service users have promoted the fact that service users are expert by experience and developed involvement activity.
 
The Service User section of thinkingAHEAD contains further information under the following headings:-

• The Service User Involvement Charter
• The Management Group
• Community Forums
• Patient Forums
• Young Users (Headspace)
• Events

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED?
 
If so, download and fill in the form below, then send or take it to James Gagliardini c/o Portsmouth Mind, Fratton Community Centre, Trafalgar Place, Portsmouth PO1 5JJ. Or you could email it to: involvepompey@googlemail.com. The Development Worker will then make contact for an informal chat. If you would like more information regarding service user involvement you can call Duncan on 07834 750981, have a look at what we've done so far or read the feedback from the Reference Group March 2007 and June 2007.
 
Download The Service User Experience Form (Word doc - 3Mb)
 
Find out how you can help by downloading a copy of the latest leaflet (March 2008)