NSUN 28th Nov 2016
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NSUN news Government must revisit funding for health and social care a lot sooner than 2020The voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors have reacted to the 2016 autumn statement saying that the 'government have got it wrong' and the deepening crisis in health and social care must be addressed now. Read more here. Blogs'My Baby, psychosis and me'...and its Media Award - A group of psychologists and mental health activists on underlying issues with the BBC programme winning the Mind media award. This blog inspired another blog about the documentary, which can be found here. Gaining momentum for honesty - a psychologist with long term history of depression and anxiety responds to the letter ‘Clinicians with mental health difficulties’ Call for blogging contributorsShare experiences, suggestions and opinions with e-bulletin readers, website visitors and social media friends. To get an idea of the variety of topics and points of view, please visit our blogs section. To send a blog, please email the editor. NSUN 10 years anniversary short film available onlineYou can watch the film on NSUN's YouTube channel here. 
Public Health England: Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health ProgrammeIn response to a key recommendation within the independent Mental Health Taskforce report Five Year Forward View for Mental Health’ Public Health England are leading the development of a Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health Programme The work is currently in the stakeholder engagement phase which includes four regional stakeholder events. These events will help inform and shape the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health Programme, future arrangements and products. The events are in Birmingham, York, London and Bristol
Find out more here. 
Personality Disorder Consensus Statement SurveyYour views are needed to find out what people who identify with the issues and difficulties associated with the diagnosis of personality disorder want in terms of improvements to service provision. The data collected will be used to form a 'consensus statement'. A 'consensus statement' is a document which is written by a group of individuals who work with or are affected by a particular issue and are thus united by a common goal. It's primary use is to lobby for changes in government policy or to push for funding changes or investment. This particular 'consensus statement' is being compiled by a wide ranging set of individuals from across the field of personality disorder and will be used by Norman Lamb MP who has a special interest in this area to use in parliament to help him drive changes to Health, Social Care and Criminal Justice policy to increase the provision of helpful services for those affected by personality disorder. Your views about 'what helps' is particularly important so pressure can be increased on the government to provide more helpful services. There is an understandable amount of controversy and feeling around the diagnosis of personality disorder itself, the medicalised framework in which it sits and the actual terminology used. This survey is not intended to seek your views about this particular but important issue but you will have opportunity to comment on this or other issues at the end of the survey. This anonymous survey is intended to be filled in by those who have been diagnosed with personality disorder or identify with the difficulties associated with this diagnosis or commonly used phrases such as complex needs, trauma related difficulties, complex PTSD etc. It should take between 5 to 10 mins to complete. Complete the survey here.
Ask the Prime Minister to drop plans to scrap the Human Rights ActOn 10 December the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) will send an open letter to Theresa May and to the heads of all political parties in the UK, urging them to protect the Human Rights Act and to stand up for the values that it represents. You can save your thunderclap shout in advance: just visit this page and add your Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr message of support for Human Rights. 
Brand new resources on human rights, mental health and mental capacityAs part of this project the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) has drafted a number of resources on human rights, mental health and mental capacity. The resources aim to give people with mental health and/or mental capacity issues information about how human rights can help them have more control over their own lives and be treated with dignity and respect. You can download pilot versions of the resources below. At this stage BIHR are still road testing the resources to make them as useful as possible, so they would really appreciate your feedback. You can email Helen Wildbore at hwildbore@bihr.org.uk with your thoughts or complete the surveys on the website. Download the booklets and find out how you can feedback here. 
12 people for North Staffordshire mental health citizen juryHave you experienced mental health services, either as patients or carers? Maybe you have no experience but who have an interest in health care? Would you be interested in sitting on a Citizen Jury on mental health? The two Lay Board Members for Patient & Public Involvement on North Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Groups are set to involve the public in putting mental health services under the spotlight. They are seeking twelve individuals to act as members of a citizens’ jury on mental health in Northern Staffordshire. Please submit expression of interest by 4 December More information about the role and how to apply: please visit here 
Anti stigma networking event in Newcastle5 December, 1pm - 4pm at Broadacre House, Newcastle
If you'd like more information please contact Angela Slater, Community Equalities Coordinator (North East), 07825754745 a.slater@time-to-change.org.uk 
Recovery Devon development fund open for applicationsRecovery Devon is seeking projects with a focus on recovery and mental health which involve or benefit the community. The application process is very straight forward. Up to £750 for each project is available and initial applications should be in by 10 January 2017 For more information, please visit this page 
Mad Poets Speak invite you to an Open Mic eventJoin in for an evening of poetry and open mic on 11 December at the Canvas, 42 Hanbury St, London E15, 4pm start. You can read more about the event on the dedicated Facebook page 
Test digital products and get rewardedAccess2Digital are recruiting people with mental health disabilities to test the accessibility of digital products and services. Testers always get paid for doing the testing. Testing2Digital have a wide range of testing opportunities in London and the UK. So, how Access2Digital works?
Who can't speak about voicesArtist and mental health survivor Sean Burn recorded this presentation 'in response to hearing the voice Durham and their current poor commissioning policy around hearing voices & arts' 
New Vision of Disability meet upYou're invited to the New Vision of Disability Meetup: Wednesday 30 November, 7pm, Castlebar, 86 Uxbridge Road, West Ealing, London W16 For information and to notify your attendance please contact Joe Kelly: 07411 164 221 or art21crpd@gmail.com 
NCVO have 2 media requests for Christmas related stories1.The Huffington Post is looking for blogs from people volunteering or working over the festive season. Do you have any great volunteers or staff members who'd be up for writing? They’d need to write a blog of around 500-600 words on their most memorable Christmas shift (happy or sad). For example, a time a volunteer or staff member realised they'd really made a difference, or a touching moment when they felt connected with a beneficiary, or maybe when they wished they could’ve done more. If you can help, or can think of someone who could fit the bill, please send an email to aimee.meade@huffingtonpost.com. Please start a new email and use ‘Xmas blogs’ as the subject. Include your contact details (name, organisation name, email, website, phone number) and what the blog would focus on. Please mention that ‘Giselle at Constructive Voices’ told you to get in touch. 2.Special events or services your organisation is offering for festive season, particularly if your work involves tackling loneliness, homelessness or food waste, or if it’s aimed at fostering community spirit. Other themes welcome too. Any great examples related to Christmas which showcase the work you do and its positive impact are welcome. Again, include your contact details (name, organisation name, email, website, phone number) and what action you’re taking for the festive season. Please email Giselle Green – constructivevoices@ncvo.org.uk with ‘Xmas stories’ as your subject line. 
Have you had, or care for someone with, cancer and experience of mental ill health? Share your story!Macmillan Cancer Support is working to gather personal stories from people living with, or caring for someone with both mental health problems and cancer. Cancer affects nearly 1 in 2 people during their lifetime, and mental health/emotional wellbeing problems affect 1 in 4 adults during any one year, so there will be lots of people out there with this dual lived experience. Macmillan’s Mental Health and Cancer Taskforce aims to better understand the needs and ideas for change of people affected by both cancer and mental health problems. For more information and a contact email please take a look here 
Shape the Prevention Concordat for Mental HealthIn response to a key recommendation within the independent Mental Health Taskforce report Five Year Forward View for Mental Health’ Public Health England are leading the development of a Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health Programme. The work is currently in the stakeholder engagement phase which includes 4 regional stakeholder events we can take part in. For places and dates, please click here Disability green paper consultationConsultation is open on 'Improving Lives', the green paper which disability activists have described as 'unethical and cruel'. Previously shared information available onlinePlease visit our website to find members projects, involvement opportunities, jobs and events we shared in previous e-bulletins. This includes our guides to support involvement in reducing the use of restraint in mental health settings. 
#NSUNthrive10 campaignIt is 10 years since the 'Doing it for ourselves’ service user conference in Birmingham. It was at this conference in 2006 that the vision of the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) was taken forward, leading to funding in 2007 and becoming a fully independent organisation in May 2010. |
