North Kirklees carers invited to have their say at special events

The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is launching a brand new dialogue group for carers in North Kirklees to give them the opportunity to have their say on issues that affect them.

The dialogue group will give carers the chance to speak face-to-face with managers of local mental health, meet other carers who want to influence services, raise issues and get answers to their questions.

The Trust’s deputy chief executive Alex Farrell said, "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 to take advantage of this new opportunity to ensure their voice is heard and help improve health services.”

The first carers dialogue group in North Kirklees will be held as part of wellbeing month on the 12th October. The group will run from 1.30pm- 3.45pm at The Seminar rooms, Dewsbury Health Centre.

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 01484 343372 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk.