Together, UK Mental Health Charity working alongside each person with mental health issues on their journey towards greater wellbeing. Trusted experts in service user involvement
‘I’ve found my niche at Together. It’s not judgmental; everybody can be who they are...’
Service User Involvement Directorate
Our focus on service user involvement is at the heart of our organisation.
What is service user involvement?
Service user involvement is putting the people who use our services in control of the care and support they receive, to help them overcome their mental health issues and lead more fulfilling lives.
You can find out about the advantages of this approach for people in mental distress in this short film: The Benefits of Service User Involvement (© Together: Working for Wellbeing. All rights reserved).
What is the Service User Involvement Directorate?
Our Service User Involvement Directorate is an important part of our organisation that exists to promote service user involvement and raise awareness of mental health issues. It aims to give people with experience of using mental health services a voice at a local, regional and national level.
In addition to developing service user involvement and leadership within Together, the directorate facilitates links between other individuals and groups to influence decisions about mental health care. It publishes guides, runs workshops and establishes links with universities and other organisations. It also takes on tenders and contracts for specific projects relating to service user involvement, such as financial literacy programmes and skills training.
As part of the directorate, we have developed the Wellbeing Approach to Involvement. This helps us involve people in a way that:
- improves individual wellbeing.
- supports local groups and communities.
- is service user led.
- provides a collective perspective.
Who runs the directorate?
Together’s Director of Service User Involvement, Anne Beales, who has used mental health services herself. Anne is supported by two Deputy Directors and a Peer Support Development Manager, as well as a team of people working in individual schemes and supporting UK-wide local service user groups. All staff and volunteers access or have accessed mental health services and/or experienced mental health issues.
Local groups
Our local groups create and implement sets of principles and safe good practice tools; raise awareness and promote a positive image of how people can maintain their mental health; and empower people to become more involved in their care on their journey towards greater wellbeing.
- Lancaster and Morecambe Mental Health Service User Forum
- The Money Matters Project
A national role
In addition to working at a local level, we have been appointed as the voice of service users on the National Mental Health Partnership Board. The board includes representatives of 60 mental health trusts who meet four times a year to discuss issues and resolve problems. We aim to represent the views of everyone who uses mental health services.
The steering group
Our National Service User Steering Group works to influence the direction of both the directorate’s activities and Together as a whole. It is made up of people from across the country that use our services, giving them a chance to discuss the issues that matter to them and become more involved in the service they receive.
Two Regional Steering Groups, which meet every three months, have also been set up to enable people to take part locally. The views from these groups are carried forward to the National Steering Group.
More information
Service User Involvement Directorate
12 Old Street, London EC1V 9BE
Tel - 0207 780 7372
Email the Service User Involvment Directorate
If you are interested in improving service user involvement within your organisation, download a free copy of our good practice guide (PDF).
The National Survivor User Network (NSUN) provides contact details for service user organisations across the country.
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