## **Annual Report October 2023**
Including data from the 2022/2023 year
**The service user and carer voice of lived experience in developing mental health services, and in supporting individual and community awareness, wellbeing and resilience across Southern Trust area**
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice
## ~~**on Charity Informat**~~
## **Established in August 1993**
## **Current Management Committee**
Chairperson: Teresa Nugent Treasurer: Margaret McGuire Secretary Caroline Ferguson Trustee: RoseMarie McDonnell Trustee: Laurence Bradley
**Forum Manager** Karl Hughes **Development Officer** Elaine Fogarty lobby@mentalhealthforum.co.uk elainefogarty42@gmail.com
## **Address & Contact Points**
The Mental Health Forum, Ballybot House, 28 Corn Market, Newry, BT35 8BG Office telephone number: 028 3025 2423
Website: www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk Facebook: @serviceuservoice
## **Registrations and Affiliations**
Charity Commission Northern Ireland: NIC104166 HMRC Charity Reference: XR28528 Information Commissioners Office: ZA125814 Zero Suicide Alliance : Member Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action: Member Confederation of Community Groups: Affiliate Institute of Leadership & Management: Staff Membership British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy: Counsellor Accreditation European Mentoring and Coaching Centre Ireland: MH Coach Membership
## **Advice and Support Services**
Banking: Allied Irish Bank 42-44 Hill Street, Newry, BT34 1AU Payroll: Confederation of Community Groups Ballybot House, 28 Corn Market, Newry, BT35 8BG Insurance: Autoline Direct Insurance Consultants Ltd 2 Ashtree Enterprise Park, Rathriland Rd, Newry, BT34 1BY Independent External Examiner: Marian Shields
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 2
## ~~**Foreword**~~
By _Teresa Nugent_ Chairperson, The Mental Health Forum
Once again it is that time of year when we look back over the last twelve months and take stock of our performance and our continuing efforts to provide a much needed and valued service to our community.
The 2022/23 year has been a particularly challenging and demanding year for the Forum, the wider community and voluntary sector and public service provision. An absence of government, no budget and a cost of living crisis have all contributed to imposing additional hardships on communities already reeling from the impact of Covid and the continuing fallout from that event. A withdrawal of ESF monies has had a huge detrimental impact on our third sector and, as a consequence, the most vulnerable suffer.
The Forum has, as always, risen to the challenge of addressing the needs of individuals and communities through our range of services. Our Peer led Talk2Me counselling service, working in close partnership with our Primary Care providers, social prescribers and the Rural Health Partnership has delivered almost 800 individual sessions to clients since April 2022. We have established close ties with both the University of Ulster and the Southern Regional College by providing opportunities for student placements within the service and we have expanded our peer counselling workforce.
We have continued to deliver peer led lived experience suicide awareness workshops across the Trust. We are engaged with Queens University and South West College contributing to learning for their social work and post-grad cognitive behavioural therapy cohorts.
We continue to recruit volunteers through our Capacity Building programme and continue to have active lived experience representation across a number of Trust and regional workstreams charged with mental health service improvement and delivery.
Our partnership building and networking across the community and voluntary sector continues at pace. We have active membership of the Wellbeing Action Partnership, the Daisy Hill Hospital Future Group, the Daisy Hill Expert Panel, the Southern Trust Protect Life Implementation Group – we engage regularly with our elected representatives to inform of challenges faced by the sector. We meet regularly with Trust management to discuss and action areas of mutual interest and concern and work closely with CCG, Community Advice, Women’s Aid, Housing Executive and Community Development to enhance access to and support from a range of providers.
I would like to take this opportunity to convey my sincere thanks to all our staff, volunteers and trustees for their continued dedication and service and I know that whatever challenges may come our way in the year ahead, we have a team in place that can rise to meet those challenges and provide the very best service they can
## _Teresa Nugent_
Chairperson
Mental Health Forum
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 3
## ~~**Who we are**~~
**The Mental Health Forum has been serving the Southern Health & Social Care Trust area of Northern Ireland for 30 years, and acts as the official voice of the service user community within the internal processes and planning of it’s Mental Health Division.**
The charity was established as a means of communicating authentic mental health service user and carer opinion to service providers, and as a conduit to receive key community information from service providers. Since 1993 We have provided advice, information and signposting for service users, carers, professionals and the general public in relation to mental health services throughout the Trust area. We engage directly with service providers in planning, delivery and monitoring mental health services both locally and regionally, and a large part of that vital independent role is still facilitated by our unique User and Carer Service Improvement Group which was established in 2007.
Over time, our support and tailored capacity building structures have evolved to fulfil our goal of being a truly Peer-Led organisation in every aspect of our work. We have a reputation as leaders in Coproduction Practice and since our earliest days have been passionate champions of person-centred, recovery-focused, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches; this all strongly aligns with current government and HSC evidence and strategy.
Our peer-involvement and peer-leadership priorities allow us to communicate and lobby for the interests of service users and carers with authenticity: we are proud to be
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 4
## ~~**What we do**~~
_**New members are always welcome, and usually join through the introductory confidence-building stage of the Capacity Building Programme.**_
*Enquiries welcome without commitment to join.
(Including non-statutory services such as community-based services, private therapy, or GP-referred services)
*Many different levels of involvement activity and time commitment available (even email-based)
*Created by and run by Forum members who understand need for work/life/wellness balance
After completing stage one, most continue direct lived experience involvement with the Forum and Southern Trust however some choose to rest membership at ‘newsletter and support access’ level.
For those in our core programme there is one to one mentoring, peer-support, and weekly zoom group learning sessions that build skills, confidence, and opportunities to make a difference for others.
Forum members get expedited access or exclusive tiers to some of our core peer-led services, including peer support conversations to review recovery journey, or coping tools or to seek short-term support for issues not requiring clinical intervention. We can also assist with some practical things such as advice, signposting help, connection to advocacy services, info on how to give feedback to the Trust on experience of its services, 1:1 WRAP, Take5 awareness sessions, or help to write and/or share a short version of own recovery story or inspiration as part of our _‘Flights of Hope’_ online archive.
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 5
## **Overview of main MHF services 2023**
- **Accessible by the general public** ◼ **Open to Adult MH Service Users or Carers in SHSCT area (past or present)**
- **Self-referral by General Public (adults) in SHSCT area, but subject to clinical criteria**
- **Open to Businesses, Groups, Organisations, Services, HSC Teams** ◼ **Forum Members**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Information, signposting & advice about mental health issues,
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
services and supports.
MHF Website Information, Facebook Page, YouTube channel
MHF Monthly Newsletter
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Peer-Led Drop-In MHF information clinics
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Regularly at Trasna House, Lurgan (For dates see MHF website.)
Peer-Led Workshops, Talks, Awareness sessions or Info Stands
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Suicide Awareness, MH & Wellbeing, MH Lived Experience, etc
(subject to availability.) (Bespoke workshops can also be created for a small fee)
Talk2me… 18yrs+
→ → ◼
Peer-Led Professional Counselling Service
Discovery5… 18yrs+
→ → ◼
Peer-Led Professional MH & Wellbeing Coaching Service
PeerChat… 18yrs+
Peer-Led Service offering Peer-Support by appointment to any member of
the public or service user/carer experiencing low level challenges or worries → → ◼
about their mental wellbeing or coping tool options
MHF Capacity Building for service users & carers 18yrs+
Peer-Mentored Programme to build skills and confidence for Involvement &
Coproduction and sharing of Lived Experience. ◼ ◼
(with weekly group zoom sessions and 1:1 sessions via zoom)
MHF Community Volunteer Programme 16ys+ ◼ ◼Placements
Opportunities for members of the public to support the varied activity of (work preparedness, experience,
Mental Health Forum services university or college, volunteer
element of youth programmes)
(with ‘office-based’ and ’work-from-home’ options as available)
Book Club 18ys+ (A relaxed informal community for experienced readers or those ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
just starting to build a reading habit to support better mental health & wellbeing)
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The Me2023 A **n** nual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice tal Health Forum www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk Enquiries: elainefogarty42@gmail.com 078 76261033 6
## ~~**Supportng Community Development and Resilience**~~
By _Karl Hughes,_ Manager, Mental Health Forum
During 2023 the Forum has continued to develop and grow its engagement with a wide range of community and voluntary sector agencies. Building on existing partnerships and evolving new opportunities for co-working continues to provide ever greater reach into our communities and adds strength to the value of our community and voluntary sector.
## **The following are examples of community partnership working undertaken in the past**
## **year:-**
Daisy Hill Hospital Future Group and Daisy Hill Expert Panel – Political, Business and Civic society working in partnership with SHSCT
Wellness Action Partnership across Newry, Mourne, Down and South Armagh seeking to prove health and wellbeing outcomes for our communities Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Health Advisory Group Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) Community Fund for Northern Ireland (CFNI) Kilkeel Development Association Lifeline Mindwise Action Mental Health Chrysalis Counselling Service Housing Executive South Down Homeless Action Group Newry GP Federation Multi-Disciplinary Team Protect Life Community and Voluntary Sector Forum Women’s Aid Newry Chamber of Trade Rural Health Partnership Promoting Wellbeing Division SHSCT PIPS
These are all examples of ongoing partnership working at both local and regional level, and the Forum will continue to work across our community and voluntary sector and partner with statutory providers to ensure the very best health and wellbeing outcomes for all our communities.
## _Karl Hughes_
Manager Mental Health Forum
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 7
## **The Impact of our Peer-Led Services (2022/2023 year)**
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761 people accessed
excluding website ‘Peer-Staff signposting/advice’
3,423 intended to provide impact of:
areas of direct being better informed or connected
Lived Experience directly with appropriate mental
Impact health support or services
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**156 people accessed ’Talk2me…’ Peer-led Professional Counselling** excluding website intended to provide impact of: decreased mental distress in relation to presented personal issue, and improved self awareness, self-care skills & resilience. 392 sessions provided across face to face, zoom, and walk **‘n’** talk
**& at least 52,308 accessed Website** intended to provide impact of: improved mental health knowledge, connection or learning opportunities, coping tools, or access to advice, advocacy, or support & services in the community.
**13 people accessed ‘PeerChat’ Peer-Support by appointment** intended to provide impact of: improved self-awareness, coping tools and resilience to better manage personal mental wellbeing. Supported by tailored community signposting. 60 sessions offered
**26 people accessed The Forum’s mentored 26 people accessed The Forum’s mentored ‘Capacity Building Programme’ Pathway ‘Capacity Building Programme’ Pathway** intended to provide impact of: intended to provide impact of: improved opportunities, skilimproved opportunities, ski ls, knowledge and confidence in coproduction practice, **l** s, knowledge and confidence in coproduction practice, while simultaneously being exposed to opportunities and tools for personal development. while simultaneously being exposed to opportunities and tools for personal development. 40 1:1 mentorship sessions & 53 Group sessions offered40 1:1 mentorship sessions & 53 Group sessions offered
**9 people accessed ‘Discovery5’ MH & Wellbeing Coaching** intending to provide impact of: identification and progress towards personal wellness or life goals 57 Sessions offered
**At least 21 People engaged in supported At least 573 accessed ‘Coproduction in SHSCT MH Services’ ‘Public Awareness Events & Talks’** intended to provide personal impact of: intended to provide impact of: improved personal sense of contribution, improved mental health knowledge, coping confidence, and mental wellbeing from directly tools, or access to support the community sharing lived experience & expertise.
**43 people accessed ‘Flights of Hope’ archive project contribution opportunity** intended to have impact of: increased resilience, confidence, and capacity for self-care, through sharing part of own personal story with others who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing in some way.
**97 people accessed ‘Take5 Ambassador’ info sessions the new ‘Drop-In MHF Info Clinics’** intended to provide impact of: Launching in 23/24 and reported improved self-awareness and ability to better impact of new skills, increased self-mange personal wellbeing using the public confidence, sense of contribution, health model of ‘Take5’ and improved mental health
**349 booklets of these stories shared** with intended impact of bringing Hope, Inspiration and Encouragement.
with intended impact of bringing Hope, **12 people accessed representation role at 58 people** Inspiration and Encouragement. **User & Carer Service Improvement Group Now have increased** intended to provide: **knowledge, confidence and** direct coproduction opportunities, strengthened **skills to potentially save lives** personal mental health and sense of contribution **of those in suicidal crisis** , **1 person providing** through mentored and supported livedhaving attended the **‘Teaching input with QUB & SWC’** experience contribution. Mental Health Forum’s unique reporting improved personal This is unique regionally, and is embedded in ‘Survivor-Led Suicide Awareness mental health through the SHSCT MH Division’s planning and quality Training’ sharing of lived experience on topic of improvement of it’s services mental health & wellbeing with students of HSC related courses
**All of this supported by at least 593 hours** of service user & carer volunteering within MHF ‘Community Volunteer Programme’ and ’Core CBP Team. with personal wellbeing impact for volunteers, as well as significant community benefit.
**41 Future Professionals learning about effective client approaches and benefit of Recovery-focused practice.**
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 8
~~**Helping Individuals fnd or access supports and services**~~
**The Forum’s service user and carer members continue to play a leading role in it’s outreach into local communities.**
At least **708** People benefited from signposting to crisis support services during their involvement with the Forum in 22/23
**Health fairs, Events, and other opportunities allowed us to reach people with mental health and wellbeing information and to provide tailored signposting.**
In 2023, our Awareness team expanded and our members have created a regular Drop-In InfoClinic in the Lurgan. area
**MHF stand at SRC Fresher’s Fair 2023**
**New Drop-In Clinic launched 2023** Current dates for the Drop-In Clinics can be found on the homepage of the Forum website.
**1839** Newsletter shares in 22/23 to MHF mailing list members, with extrapolated additional **6300** via partnership arrangements with other agency mailing lists.
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 9
## ~~**Peer-Led Professional Services**~~
## **Talk2me… Peer-Led Professional Counselling Service**
Peer-led Peer-delivered Professional Counselling Service Referral pathway: Self, Primary Care MDT, and Social Prescribers Cost: FREE at point of access Criteria: 18+, live in SHSCT area, and low presentations of MH issues/challenges Open to the public, service users, and carers.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
775
Sessions offered 1 Apr 22 - 30 Sep 23
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## **Discovery5… Peer-Led Professional Coaching Service**
Peer-Led Professional Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching Referral pathway: Self, Social Prescribers Cost: FREE at point of access
Criteria: 18+, live in SHSCT area, and completion of a short informal assessment Open to the Public, service users, and carers.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
49
In pilot phase from Jul22
Client sessions offered 1 Jul 22 - 30 Sep 23
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2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 10
## ~~**Peer-Support by appointment**~~
## **PeerChat… Peer-Support by appointment**
Peer-Led service offering a very flexible range of short term peer-support options Referral pathway: Self, Social Prescribers
Cost: FREE at point of access
Criteria: 18+, live in SHSCT area, and living with Mental Health Challenges Open to the public, service users, and carers.
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94
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**Client sessions offered 1 Apr 22 - 30 Sep 23**
## ~~**CBP… Capacity Building Programme for service users and carers**~~
Peer-led Involvement & peer-supported learning/ personal development. Referral pathway: Self Cost: FREE at point of access Criteria: 18+, live in SHSCT area, and experience as SU/Carer with MH Services Open to service users, and carers (past or present) Structured/informal options.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
53
1:1 mentoring sessions offered 1 Apr 22 – 30 Sep 23
Group mentoring sessions same period
79
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2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 11
## ~~**User and Carer Service Improvement Group**~~
## **UCSIG**
By _Elaine Fogarty_ Chair, and person of Lived Experience
## **What is UCSIG, and why does it matter?**
## Expression of Interest pathway: Self
Cost: FREE at point of access. Some meeting travel expenses reimbursed.
Criteria:18+, live in SHSCT area, experience as SU or Carer with MH Services (past or present), willing to engage with support and mentoring in the MHF peer-led Capacity Building Programme., willing to contribute to coproduction activity. Lived Experience involvement open to both service users, and carers
**As part of the Forum's work, one of our service user members chairs UCSIG This is a partnership structure unique to SHSCT and was established with the Forum when the Trust itself was born back in 2007. There is a public-facing element to Forum activity as with all contracted agencies, however we** _**also have a unique inwardly-embedded function. UCSIG's independent voice and expertise is part of the collaborative leadership approach that strengthens Southern Trust Mental Health Division. The Forum coordinates and supports UCSIG, and it works best when All staff in the Mental Health Division are familiar with us, and All teams have communication lines open with us.**_
UCSIG membership includes: service users, carers, advocates, representatives from contracted community organisations, and Trust staff. Together, we sit at the heart of a regionally unique coproduction model that supports work of the teams, their clients, and new improvement initiatives. We meet monthly, and have a regular interface with the collective leadership team in mental health and we have direct communication lines cross-directorate. As appropriate, to speak to specific topics, we can also call for the attendance of specific staff across all areas and bands within our SHSCT mental health. The agenda discusses and contributes to mental health developments, strategy, and key drivers locally and regionally, and links through its reps to multiple workstreams. We intertwine seamlessly with the core work of the Forum and with link with multiple stakeholders to facilitate effective communication exchange and cascade. Coproduction opportunities are created or managed through this joint model and have close liaison with the SHSCT Service User Consultant and feedback loops to SHSCT PPI* structures.
**Local Examples of MHF members contributing their Lived Experience**
**contributing their Lived Experience**
SHSCT UCSIG & Divisional Management and Service User Consultant Interfaces
SHSCT Patient Client Experience Steering Group membership
Newry Wellbeing Action Partnership
Towards Zero Suicide Workstreams
Contribution to and approval of various internal policy, strategy and procedure documents for SHSCT, as well as public-facing resources
Membership of various QI project teams
SHSCT staff access to LE-Led training / direct Q&A
Southern Protect Life Implementation Group
Department of Health Engagement Events re: MH Strategy for N. Ireland
10,000voice Surveys on multiple topics
Working Group Discussions re: further development of the multi-disciplinary team model in GP services
Development of various resources and documents for regional use/learning
Contributions to work of Lifeline
Direct input to student learning spaces in QUB and SWC HSC-related courses
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 12
## ~~**Capacity Building Programme for service users & Carers**~~
This programme has multiple options for involvement and time commitment; it’s highly tailored experience even has scope to take personal time away from direct involvement if needed for work/life/wellness balance. We have designed it this way because we understand what it is like to manage and balance challenges with mental health.
Designed and run by people with their own lived experience, our approach is a mix of learning about the wider world of mental health services, developing knowledge and skills for good coproduction practice, active involvement and experience of coproduction activity, and mentored sessions for personal development.
Enquires welcome from any adult in Southern Trust area who has used statutory or community mental health services, or been a carer of someone who has.
The coproduction and consultation role of the Forum as the official independent voice in SHSCT MH Services, is supported by those building their skills in the Capacity Building Programme and involvement with the User & Carer Service Improvement Group or other Working Groups and Project Discussions included in their portfolio of learning. Our feedback tells us that this offers a sense of contribution or fulfilment, a sense of structure and social connection, or improved communication skills, confidence. We are also told that members enjoy the personal development and wider learning opportunities that are woven in.
**Kevin Heaney** Senior Peer Trainer and Facilitator
**Pauline Reid**
Public Awareness Coordinator & Editor with ‘Flights of Hope’ Project
**Trudy Beattie** Senior Public Awareness Rep
**Christopher West**
Peer Trainer
**Eoghan Heron** Digital Platforms Coordinator
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 13
## ~~**Capacity Building Programme for service users & Carers contnued**~~
_“I am quite new to this Capacity Building Programme and I am enjoying it. Lots of new things to learn and discuss at the weekly zoom.”_
_“I’m in this now for the long-term.. I like the variety of the consultation and coproduction stuff we do in CBP, and I’ve gotten involved more deeply now with some roles and projects that are part of the Forum’s core work.”_
_“I’m doing things now that even a year ago I wouldn’t have thought I could do.”_
_“This programme and the work we get involved in give me a space to be me. Yes, I’m using my lived experience, but people don’t see me as just that illness. They don’t see me as my job title either - I get to just do [-] things as [-]. Everyone should be able to step back like that and get to know themselves a bit better”_
_“We need to get more people into this programme., even if just for stage one. I wasn’t sure in the beginning what I was getting into but it is helping me in lots of different ways._
_“Lovely bunch of people, [-], and ways to learn and help others…”_
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 14
~~**Opportunites to contribute and to build skills and confdence**~~
## **Volunteer**
## **Programme**
Proudly working with those 16yrs+ from across SHSCT community
Across both our Community Volunteer Programme and the time volunteered to fulfil Specific Capacity Building Programme Roles, we have a group of very dedicated and passionate people. Their skills have supported our digital platforms, public awareness raising, counselling service, office administration, public training course, the Flights of Hope project, resource development, and the capacity building programme itself. Thankyou All.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Across both our Community Volunteering Programme and our CBP Roles
8 Volunteers active in 22/23
At least
593 Total Volunteer Hours during 22/23
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~~**Suicide Awareness Workshops delivered by people who**~~ **have survived suicidal crisis**
In 22/23 our members continued to upskill and seek out opportunities to apply their lived experience to the nuanced area of workshop delivery of suicide awareness in the Southern Trust area.
Our Survivor-Led model is unique and we continue to receive very positive reviews about the impact of having learning spaces created and sustained by people who had actually been in a personal suicidal crisis. The Café– style environment creates a safe and comfortable space for group delivery of the Zero Suicide Training Module* and it’s added workshop element.
Our feedback tells us that people’s main ‘takeaways’ are things like:
“The essential skills and confidence are as easy to achieve as the ones for learning CPR or recognising and making safe responses to suspected stroke, using a defibrillator, or knowing what to do if someone was choking - every one can play a role in creating safer communities and the training isn’t just for doctors and nurses.”
“Talking about suicide doesn’t cause it to happen - It’s ok to ask.”
“Conversations with direct language are usually more effective.”
“The ‘See, Say, Signpost’ steps are easy to remember and apply even if a little nervous”
“Being present and providing a compassionate and patient space really helps”
“It’s not about having perfect words to say, it’s about being authentic and responsive to cues.”
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 15
In 2023 the service user and carers in our ‘Flights of Hope’ project team continued to promote the online archive of positive hopeful stories and inspiration housed on our Mental Health Forum website. (www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk)
As people with lived experience, we believe in the power of connection - it’s so important to help people see that they don’t have to be alone in times of difficultly. It’s important to us that people can get help at the earliest stage… before things get to the point of needing mental health professionals to step in. We want to normalise conversations of encouragement and support and we know how much it means to see that others haver made it through similar hard times. In the 22/23 year we has 43 people contributing either stories or speech bubbles and we want to thank them all for helping to launch this project with such impact.
1000 hard copy booklets have been distributed in hardcopy and the website carries a FREE pdf download version. Searching ‘The Mental Health Forum’ on YouTube will also allow people to listen to an audiobook version of the booklet.
Anyone can submit a short-phrase ‘speech bubble’ and it can be done totally anonymous or carry just the person’s first name. This includes the general public and HSC and C&V workers… the focus is on mental wellbeing and not mental illness, and so everyone has something they can contribute.
This past year our project team built the infrastructure and in 2024 we look forward to growing this community of sharing.
We will also be introducing audio and video contribution options and running short peer-led workshops to support people who want to express their wellness or recovery journey in a short story or a poem.
In partnership with Southern Trust Protect Life Implementation Group, the Forum will continue to build this resource.
## The Flights of Hope Project Team
**----- Start of picture text -----**
“Real people sharing real stories helps
people not to feel alone and
overwhelmed. I can do that, so I can.”
“I got involved with the Flights of Hope
project because I believed it was important
to share stories about hope and recovery
journeys. I wanted to help others going
through similar in their lives”
**----- End of picture text -----**
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 16
## ~~**How we’ve made a diference for clients**~~
## **in 22/23**
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How would you rate your
overall satisfaction with
95.5% the Mental Health
said Good or
(19/20 100%) (20/21 95%) (21/22 97%)
Excellent
95% Would you recommend
the Mental Health Forum
said YES
to others?
(19/20 100%) (20/21 92.5%) (21/22 94%)
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
“Today’s been a tough one,
but you’ve really helped us
figure out the next steps.”
“This is the best training course I’ve
“I can’t believe how
ever attended. A totally different
much difference it made to talk
approach and so comfortable.”
with someone who gets it.
Thanks”
“I felt good to be working in the
role I do helping people who can “Having the option to meet in
be in a crisis situation. Made me the evening made things easier
realise I could be making a to manage. Thanks for that.”
difference to someone.”
“I think these new
“He had just the right
info clinics are great.”
information and was
“You folks are doing an important
very helpful.”
job. I hope to link in again in the
future.”
**----- End of picture text -----**
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 17
**----- Start of picture text -----**
96%
**----- End of picture text -----**
**Clients who say engaging with the Forum has helped them feel more in control of their own personal mental health and wellbeing**
(21/22 95.5%)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Forum Website Visits during 22/23 year 52,308
Facebook Page Reach during 22/23 year 9,822
Facebook Page Followers as of end 22/23 year 729
“I felt at ease
throughout the session.” ”Other people rarely have time to
just talk, or I suppose I mean let
me talk. That was all I needed.
“There’s so much on Thankyou so much :) ”
the website. It’s been a
huge help. Cheers!!”
“The training was really enriched by
the input of trainers with
lived experience.
“The ‘Flights of Hope’ booklets
I liked the emphasis on language and
arrived yesterday and they are
on kind persistence.”
fantastic! A massive well done to
all who put them together.”
Number of formal complaints
0 22/23
Number of adverse incidents
0 22/23
Number of safeguarding
0 incidents 22/23
**----- End of picture text -----**
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 18
## ~~**The Forum is 30 years old this year**~~
_Random Photo Memories_
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 19
**Financial Statement 2022/2023**
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MH - Mental Health SHSCT - Southern Health and Social Care Trust HSC - Health and Social Care
MDT - Multi-disciplinary teams QI - Quality Improvement QUB - Queens University, Belfast CBP - The Forum’s unique peer-led capacity building programme (open to 18+ in SHSCT area who have accessed Trust or Community MH related services PPI - Personal & Public Involvement (The Legal responsibility placed on all SHC Trusts to involve those who use their services in development and quality improvement of those services.) UCSIG - User and Carer Service Improvement Group. (Facilitated by and integrated into The Mental Health Forum’s role. See page 11)
2023 Annual Report of the Mental Health Forum 028 3025 2423 www.thementalhealthforum.co.uk @serviceuservoice 21