Service User Governors

I've been a service user of Sussex Partnership for 12 years and am passionate about being a voice for service users and finding opportunities where people with lived experience can offer feedback. I really value equality, inclusivity and empowerment. And, I'm aware people from minority groups are rarely heard, such as those from ethnic minorities, asylum seekers, LGBTQI, those experiencing homelessness, young people, and people with disabilities. I have spoken as part of a lived experience panel in a Cross-Party Parliamentary Group around mental health provision and contributed to the Victims Bill for the Ministry of Justice.

There are still many barriers that service users face sharing their experience and for these voices to actually affect change 'on the ground'. I have been challenging these barriers as a Governor including Human Rights concerns. I was also involved in a Committee that addressed service user feedback and raised concerns around the balance of the lived experience voice in this meeting and the functioning of service user groups- the need for increased diversity, listening and transparency. I am also part of the Suicide Prevention steering group and involved a local MP to ensure mental health provision at Brighton station.

When service users access the NHS, it is often a challenging time. And there is still a need to encourage a cultural shift, in order for these voices to be heard. In my role as a Governor, I empower these voices to be represented within Sussex Partnership.

Vacant

I am a parent of a child who has used Sussex Partnership services for over seven years under CAHMS and now adult services.

During those seven years, I have seen some of the best and worst the services have to offer; I am passionate about ensuring the best practices are celebrated and shared while highlighting the not-so-good practices to eradicate them.

The current system of accessing services during a mental crisis needs improving, and I will strive to fight for a better point of access for those in crisis.

I believe that the teams working in mental health are amazing people who need support to deliver the outstanding care they strive to achieve. With this in mind, I fully intend to be a force for positive change.

Vacant

I've had a neurological condition since I was young, but in the last 10 years I developed a mental health illness. During my hospitalisation I saw and experienced things that needed to be addressed, and I have also seen and experienced the things that helped.

I wish to assist approaching the bad things as well as ensuring the approach for the good things should be recognised. 

After a lot of recovery, hard work and effort I am now back in society and I really do want to give back. As you will all know, addressing mental health is terribly hard work for every party involved. be that the patient, the family, the friends or carers. But also we should not forget the staff who are involved at every level, current demands mean it is very hard for them.

One thing I have noted is that things of ‘Achievement, Opportunity and Goals’ should be presented. I have created solutions to problems and to my delight they have worked. I just want to keep on helping; as so much has been done for me.

Vacant

Vacant

I feel privileged to have been appointed as a governor. This is my opportunity to uphold and advocate for the values and opinions of service users. I am lucky that I can do this, and I will endeavour to carry out my role to the best of my abilities to ensure that I and others can impact the services to be the best that they can be. 

Becoming the best version of myself is particularly important to me and I feel that this mentality can be personified by our institutions and organisations. Through hard work, dedication and a positive attitude, I can be in control of my own destiny.  It takes a collective effort for our services to be the best they can be. Working together, we can move mountains and I look forward to speaking to those whose opinions and experiences can have a far-reaching impact that will perpetuate future prosperity, wellness and success. 

I look forward to this venture and I hope that we can all shine together.