Gloucestershire Mental Health Forums
The Gloucestershire Mental Health Forums are where a mix of people come together to discuss actions that could improve the lives of people affected by mental ill health.
The purpose of the Forums is to:
Help the mental health system in Gloucestershire to be joined up
Identify gaps in what is being provided, and also gaps in training
Co-produce solutions to problems with Experts by Experience (people with direct and caring living experience of mental ill health)
There are five Forums across Gloucestershire. These are:
Forest of Dean & Tewkesbury, West Cheltenham, Newent and Staunton (TWNS)
Stroud and Berkeley Vale
Cotswolds
Cheltenham
Gloucester
People who come to the Forums altogether have a wide range of knowledge, views and ideas for action.
They are:
People with direct lived experience, including carers
People supporting people in the community, cultural and faith groups, grassroots organisations and charities
People working for the Council, Public Health and the NHS
About the Forum meetings
There is one Forum meeting in each locality every three months. They are usually held online, and sometimes in-person as well. A digest covering what was talked about across all five localities is shared after each series of Forums. People can also share information and ideas at other times with the organisers. The aim of the digests is to spark action. They also aim to increase awareness and understanding about the topics and helpful resources.
The digests are discussed at the One Gloucestershire Mental Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board and with other networks in the system. This is to spark action for change for better experiences and outcomes for people. This influence, awareness and understanding can be helpful for:
Individuals who draw on care and support
Carers and families
People who work or volunteer offering care and support (services)
Commissioners and public health officers
If you would like to find out about how to get involved with the Forums please email: rhiannon.davis@rethink.org
(Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that organises the Forums)