Remembering Patricia Chambers

It is with great sadness that we share the news that our friend and colleague Patricia Chambers died last year.

Patricia was a leading light for the BME survivor movement, involved and active both locally and nationally.

We shared an office with Catch-a-Fiya when NSUN was established and Patricia was newly appointed as the Catch-a-Fiya Manager in 2009.

Patricia led work on the Dancing To Our Own Tunes recommendations to develop the TOOTS charter and was a huge support, advocate and motivator for those who worked with her.

Patricia was involved in many initiatives and organisations and leaves an inspiring legacy. Jayasree Kalathil has written a moving tribute which you can read on the NSUN Facebook page.

Our thoughts are with all who knew and loved Patrica.

Latest

Mental Health Act Recommendations Campaign

Update about the Mental Health Act Review and support urgently wanted. NSUN, together with a wide range of other user-led organisations, individuals with mental health diagnoses and allies, is campaigning for recommendations and legal change which fully comply with human rights set out under the UNCRPD.
Mental Health Act Campaign

Recommended changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 fall well short of full human rights. NSUN, together with a wide range of other user-led organisations, individuals with mental health diagnoses and allies, is campaigning for recommendations and legal change which fully comply with human rights set out under the UNCRPD.
NSUN's 2019 AGM & Members' event

Read our short report of the NSUN AGM & Members' event 2019. 'Justice, hope, togetherness, history, solidarity, love for each other and practical actions is where NSUN has its value. '
Increasing hierarchical power structures within peer support?

NSUN member Sandy Lancaster shares her concerns about the attrition of true peer support.

Mental Health Act Recommendations Campaign

Update about the Mental Health Act Review and support urgently wanted. NSUN, together with a wide range of other user-led organisations, individuals with mental health diagnoses and allies, is campaigning for recommendations and legal change which fully comply with human rights set out under the UNCRPD.
Mental Health Act Campaign

Recommended changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 fall well short of full human rights. NSUN, together with a wide range of other user-led organisations, individuals with mental health diagnoses and allies, is campaigning for recommendations and legal change which fully comply with human rights set out under the UNCRPD.
NSUN's 2019 AGM & Members' event

Read our short report of the NSUN AGM & Members' event 2019. 'Justice, hope, togetherness, history, solidarity, love for each other and practical actions is where NSUN has its value. '
Campaign for National Independent Living Service

ROFA calls for a new, free-standing law, drawn up in consultation with user-led organisations, to implement an independent living bill of rights.
Freedom Drive for Disabled People

At the start of October, Dorothy Gould travelled to Brussels to join in the Freedom Drive. Read Dorothy's report on the event.
NSUN announces new CEO

In January 2020, Akiko Hart will join NSUN as CEO. Sarah Yiannoullou will be leaving after an amazing 10 years of growing NSUN’s network and working to put our members manifesto into action. Akiko introduces herself and shares her hopes for the future of NSUN.
World Mental Health Day - the crisis of user-led organisations

User-led groups can make life worth living. Our 2019 campaign is to raise awareness of the loss of hundreds of user-led groups over the last few years and the crisis facing those that still exist. They have a significant role to play in supporting people going through the bleakest and most difficult moments of life.
Every Mind Matters campaign

Every Mind Matters campaign was launched 7th October - It's a free NHS-approved online tool, which helps people build an action plan to deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, improve their sleep and help them feel more in control.
NHS Expo Stakeholders Lunch

NSUN was invited to attend a stakeholder lunch with Claire Murdoch at the Health and Care Innovation Expo 4 September in Manchester. Read Angela Newton's report on the event.
NSUN AGM and Members' Event 2019

NSUN's Annual General Meeting and Members' Event is in York this year, 24.10.19. The theme is the 'Value of User-led Groups'.

Jobs and involvement opportunities

Jobs and other involvement opportunities that call upon your lived experience as a mental health survivor / service user / carer.
4Pi national involvement standards

Developed by people with lived experience as part of the National Involvement Partnership (NIP) project, the 4Pi National Standards ensure effective co-production, thus really improving experiences of services and support.
Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit - Open Letters

The UK government is hosting a Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London on the 9th and 10th of October, 2018. The Summit aims to “build momentum on global mental health issues such as early intervention, public health, research, tackling stigma, and promoting access to evidence-based services.”. Read the Open Letters to the Organisers, Partners and Delegates of the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, London
BME mental health service users launch manifesto

The Kindred Minds BME mental health service user led manifesto is a unique resource, has been written by BME mental health service users and has a comprehensive vision for the policy and practice changes needed to improve the mental well-being of BME mental health service users.
History

About the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) and the wider service user survivor movement. What we have achieved.
Join as a member

We are a ‘user led’ network of over 4500 individual and group members. Join us to find out what's happening across England to improve the experiences of people who need services and support when in distress. We aim to connect, inform and influence.
Survivor Researcher Network launch manifesto

Written by the Survivor Researcher Working Group, the SRN manifesto sets out the background and context to survivor and service user research and SRN's aims and values as a network
Alternatives to detention/sectioning under the Mental Health Act 1983. Can you help with suggestions?

As part of her work for the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act, Dorothy Gould is trying to collect as many examples as possible of alternatives to detention/sectioning.
Our vision

Our vision is for the lives of people who experience mental distress, discrimination and disadvantage to be better
The Principles of Peer Support Charter

A collaboration between statutory and voluntary sector organisations has facilitated the production of a peer led and produced Principles of Peer Support Charter.