Calderdale carers and service users invited to have their say at special events
The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is holding a new round of dialogue groups for Calderdale carers and people who use mental health services to give them the opportunity to have their say on issues that affect them.
The dialogue group will give carers and service users the chance to speak face-to-face with managers of local mental health and learning disability services, meet other carers who want to influence services, raise issues and get answers to their questions.
Chief executive of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Steven Michael said, “The people who use our services are experts in understanding the care we provide, and are well-placed to tell us how we can change and improve things. Carers play a vital role in the lives of people with mental ill-health and learning disabilities, and their contribution is invaluable. I would encourage local carers and service users to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure their voice is heard and help improve health services.”
The next service user dialogue group in Calderdale will be held on the 16th March. The group will run from 2pm- 4pm and the venue can be confirmed by contacting the Trust’s inclusion development co-ordinator Jonny Glenn on 01422 281325.
The next carer dialogue groups in Calderdale will be held on the 10th February and the 14th April between 12.30 and 2.30pm. The venue can be confirmed by contacting Jonny Glenn on 01422 281325.
Dialogue groups help people who currently use Trust services and their carers have open and honest two-way discussions with our staff across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
The groups give individuals the opportunity to tell the Trust how they are affected by what happens in services and share their experiences. The aim is to promote mutual understanding and trust between staff and service users and carers.
The groups also encourage people who cannot attend the meetings, for whatever reason, to contribute via service user representatives, for example people can ask somebody from our inclusion team to raise issues at the group on their behalf.
There is usually an agenda or theme at each meeting but people are welcome to raise other issues. Topics that have been discussed at previous meetings include inpatient services, child protection issues and benefits. To find out more about a dialogue group running in your area call our freephone number 0800 587 2108 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk.