HE COUNCIL and its local partners are inviting people to help shape the future of Mental Health Services in Reading.
A consultation is launching this week which aims to help inform how Reading’s Mental Health Day Services are delivered. The consultation is particularly relevant for people with professional and personal experience of mental health problems, including family carers.
The potential to move to a Recovery College approach is currently under consideration. Recovery Colleges deliver comprehensive, peer-led education and training programmes within mental health services.
Recovery Colleges are run like any other college, providing education as a route to recovery. Courses are co-devised and co-delivered by people with lived experience of mental illness and by mental health professionals.
The plan is for any new service to include key priorities for:
- empowering people to take charge of their recovery;
- supporting people in the community whenever possible;
- anticipating and preventing crisis;
- getting the best value from the resources invested in.
The consultation launches on Wednesday 13th July and ends on 23rd August 2016. It can be completed online at www.reading.gov.uk/mhconsultation
For a hard copy of the questionnaire or different formats, please contact wellbeing.service@reading.gov.uk or on call 0118 937 2383.
If people want to give their views in person, they can come along to a consultation meeting on:
- Thursday 21st July from 12.30pm with Compass at New Directions South Reading, 330 Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, Reading RG2 8DH
- Tuesday 2nd August from 2-4pm at Reading Your Way, 1A Rupert Square, Reading RG1 3HE
- Monday 8th August from 2-4pm in the Council Chamber, Plaza West, Reading RG1 2LU
Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Lead Member for Health and the Council’s Mental Health Champion, said: “We want people’s input to help us design the right services for Reading. It is vital we also proactively listen to people about what they need for better mental health.
“There are many potential benefits to be gained from moving to a Recovery College model. Meaningful activities are important in helping people rebuild their lives after experiencing mental health problems. The right activities help people to develop new skills for living and working, and stronger social relationships.”
Cllr Rachel Eden, Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I encourage people to take part in this important consultation and help us to shape this vital service for the better.
“Despite the challenge of massive cuts to council budgets, we are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community and to improving the services available so that adults affected by mental health needs can access timely help and enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives.”
