Unique event in Wakefield to help local people make a difference

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A local mental health trust is holding a unique event on Monday 22nd June to give people living in the community an opportunity to get involved in how the organisation is run and have their say. The event will be held at Fieldhead, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield from 5pm to 8pm.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, was officially authorised as a Foundation Trust in May. A Foundation Trust is a different kind of NHS organisation, which gives people who use services, and those living in local communities, the chance to help shape how the Trust’s services are developed and delivered. Anyone is able to do this by simply joining the organisation as a member.

The Trust now has over 11,000 public members, and those living in the local area are invited to next week’s event to find out how they can get more involved and let the Trust know which areas they’re interested in contributing to.

The event will tell people: • What involvement means • How getting involved can make a difference • Opportunities for them to be involved in – from giving opinions on service developments, testing out our website or helping us recruit the right staff • What support and training is available for them

To mark Learning Disability Week which runs from 22nd -28th June, there will also be a special production by Full Body and the Voice, a theatre company with an ensemble of learning disabled actors at its heart. The evening will then end with a musical performance by Hoot, a creative arts group that aims to enhance the wellbeing of people with mental health problems.

The Trust’s Chair Joyce Catterick said, "People who join us as members can get involved as much or as little as they choose. Some members simply keep up to date by reading our member magazine, whilst others take an active interest in how are services develop. Members can make an invaluable contribution, through their individual knowledge and experience and we welcome their contributions. This event is an ideal opportunity for our members to find out more about us as an organisation, and about the ways they can make a difference to the services we offer for local people."

If you would like to know more or register for a place, please telephone 01924 327567 or email membership@swyt.nhs.uk.

Unique event in Wakefield to help local people make a difference

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