South East and Central Essex Mind is committed to working with those who use local mental health services, to ensure they have a voice in how the services we offer adapt and evolve to continue to meet their needs.

To achieve each service being delivered by us has a Focus Group. The Groups decides how regularly they meet to discuss:

• Making suggestions for the strategic direction for South East and Central Essex Mind
• Identifying Gaps in service provision
• How to improve access to our services
• Evaluating the services they have experienced
• How services could be promoted to other potential beneficiaries

All service users are encouraged and incentivised

The aim of these groups is to:

• Provide an opportunity for local service users to have a voice in how local services are developed to meet local needs.
• Give feedback on performance.
• Bring together the thoughts and experiences of all mental health service users and their carers, so their views and needs can be recognised.
• Discuss how mental health has an impact on family matters, relationships, care concerns and everyday life.
• Ensure that service users can also provide opinions on current mental health issues and policies.
• Be all inclusive to users and give full opportunity to express opinions.
• Be considerate to all user perspectives.

The prudential benefits of these groups are to:

• Provide a common and stronger voice for service users of all mental health services.
• Challenge stigma and misconceptions.
• Hold regular meetings and invite guest speakers.
• Create a place where mutual support and information can be shared.
• Promote available initiatives and resources.
• Promote togetherness within the local community.

If you would like more information please contact us.