NSUN news

Blogs - more Brexit news

Brexit - it's too early to say: ' we must keep watching this space' writes this blogger.

Elsewhere on the web, Alan Renwick (UCL Consitution Unit) explores key elements of the withdrawal process

#NSUNthrive campaign

It 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.

We have survived!  To enable us to continue to connect, communicate and influence, we need your help. Please spread the word to help raise funds to continue our work through our #NSUNthrive10 campaign. You can also raise money by shopping online with the  Giving Machine

Donate here
 

Previously shared information available online

Please visit our website to find 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.

 

UK in breach of Human Rights

The United Nations has confirmed that the UK's Austerity policies breach the UK’s international human rights obligations.  The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has expressed “serious concern” about the impact of regressive policies on the enjoyment of economic and social rights in a damning report on the UK.

Read more here and here

 

UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights

On 1 July 2016, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a Resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights (attached), led by Portugal and Brazil and cosponsored by 61 countries, with more countries still joining.

The resolution highlights:

that “persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities, in particular persons using mental health services, may be subject to, inter alia, widespread discrimination, stigma, prejudice, violence, social exclusion and segregation, unlawful or arbitrary institutionalization, over-medicalization and treatment practices that fail to respect their autonomy, will and preferences”

and

“the need for States to take active steps to fully integrate a human rights perspective into mental health and community services, particularly with a view to eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination within that context, and to promote the right of everyone to full inclusion and effective participation in society”

This resolution provides additional impetus to address human rights in mental health and also signals a commitment by countries to achieve this.

 

Brexit information for the Third Sector

NCVO policy team's first briefing on the likely political, financial, social and regulatory impacts

NCVO's chief exec writes on the vital role charities can play in rebuilding trust and kinship in divided communities after the referendum vote

Easing community tensions - practical advice for charities

Register for NCVO's free Brexit webinar on 7 July 

The King's fund have also written about the implications of the Brexit vote for the sector

 

National coproduction week - 4 to 8 July

SCIE's National Co-production Week is the first event of its kind. It will celebrate the benefits of co-production, share good practice and highlight the contribution of people who use services and carers to developing better public services.

Twitter event

SCIE are having a #coproduction @twitter event Monday 4 July at 4pm - During #coproweek.
A twitter event just means getting people we know who are on twitter to be ready to send tweets, retweet and favourite tweets at a specific time on a specific day.

So if you’re on Twitter do join in if you can, even if for a few moments  – Your hosts will be @TinaColdham and @Matt_Langsford from the Co-production Network. You can find them at @SCIE_socialcare and the hashtag is #coproweek

The purpose is to raise the profile of co-production during Co-Production Week and to discuss the issues that co-production raises.

Coproduction Festival

SCIE are looking forward to seeing lots of Co-production Network members at the festival on Thursday 7 July. If you are coming, there is still time to send a question for the Co-production Question Time. But please send your questions as soon as possible as time is short.

SCIE also want people to let them know if they want to be filmed in the video box giving their views on co-production. This will help the organisers to make the most of the day.

 

Guide to setting up your own user led organisation

Want to set up your own user led organisation but don't know where to start?

HELP IS AT HAND!
SPECTRUM’S ULO Team have made a training video which shows how you can start your own user-led organisation.
THIS VIDEO IS COMPLETELY FREE TO USER-LED ORGANISATIONS!
To get YOUR copy:
Call 02380 802643 Mondays-Wednesdays
Email: ulo@spectrumcil.co.uk

 

From mental illness to a social model of madness and distress

There are growing concerns about UK mental health policy and services. They are widely seen as being in ‘crisis’,chronically underfunded and having fallen far behind physical healthcare. There are also more fundamental worries that they are over-reliant on a narrowly-based medicalised conceptual framework which can be stigmatizing and unhelpful for service users.

You can read 'From mental illness to a social model of madness and distress', available to download for free in PDF.

 

LGBTQI Disabled People and Social Care Support

SCIE is working with network member Regard and Stonewall and the University of Bristol on a survey of social care support for disabled people who lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer or intersex.

Little is known about support for disabled people in this community so SCIE are asking people to complete a survey as part of the project. SCIE will use the results to raise awareness of the social care needs of LGBTQI Disabled people and to highlight examples of things that do and don’t work well.

If you prefer not to complete the survey online, paper copies of this survey are available from Dr Heather Ottaway (heather.ottaway@bristol.ac.uk)

 

Disabled women's voices from the frontline

A Sisters of Frida event

Date: 9 July
Time: 11am - 4.30pm
Venue: Blackfriars Settlement, 1 Rushworth Street London, SE1 0RB, 
but please let the organisers know your Access and dietary requirements by 20th June, please!but please let the organisers know your Access and dietary requirements by 20th June, please!
Lunch provided BSL interpreters 

Come to hear disabled women who are great public speakers/performers. Among the speakers and performers:

KIRSTEN HEARN is a long time blind lesbian feminist activist.  she is founder member of Sisters Against Disablement; Women’s tape over; Feminist audio Books, and an active member of  a raft of other disability, women’s and LGBT rights campaigns.

SIMONE ASPIS is a disabled woman with over 20 years experience of successful campaigning for disabled peoples’ rights.

BECKY OLANIYI is  interested in acting, writing, psychology and neuroscience, but her main goal in doing this is to try to help young disabled women acknowledge and understand themselves as individuals

MISS JACQUI came from a extremely creative family; She is fascinated by many different types of artforms. Theatre and music has always been a huge part of Miss Jacqui’s life.

ANNABEL CROWLEY will chair the day. Annabel grew up as a young carer, and started working in the field of disability at the age of 17.

For more information and a registration link, please visit this page

 

 Exploring the Content of Voice Hearing

‘What does it mean to hear a voice?’

“Hearing voices” is an experience where person has a strong perception of hearing a voice that is not identified as being their own internal voice, and does not originate from another person nearby.

 ‘Do you hear voices?’

You are not alone. It’s estimated that between 3-10 percent of the population hear voices. Furthermore, there are support networks available to people who have these experiences in the UK (Hearing Voices Network) and internationally (Intervoice).

‘Why take part in our study?’

For those who experience hearing voices, it can be extremely distressing and have a major impact on their ability to go about daily life. Recently, psychological research has begun to explore the phenomena of voice hearing in more depth. By more fully understanding these experiences, the better the psychological and voice hearing communities become at managing and overcoming these experiences. Other research has addressed the occurrence of voice hearing across multiple psychiatric conditions and the characteristics or properties that may be associated with the voices heard. However, this study is unique in that UCL are attempting to gather examples of what exactly a person hears when they hear voices. From these examples they intend to analyse the properties of the language used and how these properties may relate to the characteristics of that voice. A study of this kind has not yet been conducted and it is hoped that it may give  great insight into the phenomena of hearing voices by more fully understanding exactly what the voices say.

All data collected by this study will be stored in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Here are four different ways in which the link to the survey can be accessed:

The study is currently being advertised on the Intervoice website.

The study can be accessed directly through this survey link.

Alternatively, the study can be accessed through social media pages:
Facebook and Twitter (@VoiceHearing) 
(It is not necessary to have accounts for Facebook/twitter to view these pages to access the link the survey)         

If you have any further queries regarding this study please email Kirsty Phillips. 

 

London partnership to bring Peerfest in 2016

In March Mind launched the tender to run this year’s peer celebration – Peerfest. They then held a special information day in May for potential bidders and in the last couple of weeks met shortlisted organisations at panel interviews. There was a fantastic standard of applications with diverse and inspired visions for Peerfest for 2016, from peer led organisations and groups, from across the country.

The result is that Peerfest16 will be led by London-based Sound Minds, together with Antenna Collective, Sutton Mental Health Foundation and others.

Sound Minds was formed in 1992. They’re a user led charity and social enterprise working on a number of projects based around the arts and mental health. They’ve won national awards through their peer support and creative arts activities.
This partnership brings some very exciting ideas for Peerfest16 which promises to the most colourful and creative Peerfest to date!  More details will be available as the plans develop.  Meanwhile, this page will be updated with all Peerfest16 information as it comes about.

Marsh Award for Mental Health Peer Support

This is the second year running the Award with Marsh Christian Trust, which recognises peer led peer support.  A reminder that nominations are open now and until 18 July 12 noon. This link takes you to more information and to the nomination form which you can complete online, or download and send in to us.

Engagement opportunity with NHS England - apply to Mind

Mind is supporting NHS England to recruit two or three people with lived experience of mental health problems to a decision making panel for new IAPT services based within physical health services - Apply by 4pm on 7 July

for more information about this role and an application form, please read this page

London partnership to bring Peerfest in 2016

 

Involvement opportunities

Important upcoming events

We already shared these with you in previous editions. You can still register to attend these events. Don't miss out! Click on the titles for more information.

 

The CQC is launching a campaign to find out more about people's experiences of mental health care.  The #yourmentalhealthcare campaign will run from 11 July for one week.

The CQC invites people to share their experiences – whether good or bad – on Twitter or by using their online form. Find out more about the campaign here.

 

Transparency data - DoH expenditure

Details of Department of Health expenditure over £25,000 (invoices, grant payments, expenses and other such payments, excluding pay bill expenditure)

DoH agencies and partner organisations

Information about agencies and partner organisations, also known as arm's length bodies (ALBs).

DoH non executive appointments

Information about non executive appointments to the Department of Health's public bodies and committees

 
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