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

NSUN is recruiting!

We are at an exciting stage of change and development, having finished a period of deep reflection and review. After 10 years in post Sarah Yiannoullou is standing down as Managing Director and managing the recruitment of a new CEO. We are also looking to recruit new Trustees. Find out more here.
Update on the UNCRPD

An important recent development is that work is now occurring on indicators for the 33 Articles which make up the UNCRPD. The idea is that these can then be used to demonstrate further what the UNCRPD means in practice and to track a country’s progress with implementing it.
The Value of User Led Groups (2019 campaign)

NSUN’s main campaign in 2019 is the value of user-led groups - that is demonstrating the huge value of user-led groups in our society and fighting the cause for their survival.
Know your human rights

NSUN trustee, Rachel Rowan Olive, attended the launch of the British Institute of Human Rights online tool earlier this month. The 'Know Your Human Rights' tool is aimed at helping mental health service users raise issues around human rights in their care. BIHR are looking at how they can make sure the tool is widely used and get feedback on how to develop it further.

NSUN is recruiting!

We are at an exciting stage of change and development, having finished a period of deep reflection and review. After 10 years in post Sarah Yiannoullou is standing down as Managing Director and managing the recruitment of a new CEO. We are also looking to recruit new Trustees. Find out more here.
Update on the UNCRPD

An important recent development is that work is now occurring on indicators for the 33 Articles which make up the UNCRPD. The idea is that these can then be used to demonstrate further what the UNCRPD means in practice and to track a country’s progress with implementing it.
The Value of User Led Groups (2019 campaign)

NSUN’s main campaign in 2019 is the value of user-led groups - that is demonstrating the huge value of user-led groups in our society and fighting the cause for their survival.
Commission on Social Security UK

Commission on Social Security UK: Looking for the Call for Solutions? Led by Experts by Experience, the commission is a project set up to find out how the government could make the welfare benefits system better. The Commissioners want to hear thoughts and ideas for a better welfare benefits system – especially from people with experience of the system
Reflections on the Mental Health Act Review

Reflections on the Mental Health Act Review and its recommendations. The points we will be raising as members of the Mental Health Act Review Advisory Group.
Meeting with the Minister for Disabled People

Read our account of a meeting between Sarah Newton MP and six Disabled Peoples' Organisations (DPOs): Inclusion London/the Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance, NSUN, the Equalities National Council, Disability Wales, Independent Living in Scotland and Disability Action Northern Ireland.
Urgent request from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

EHRC call for interviewees for their inquiry into the experiences of disabled people within the criminal justice system. The inquiry will address whether disabled defendants’ needs are identified; what reasonable adjustments, if any, are made; whether there are particular barriers or helpful factors; what recommendations should be put forward.
DPOs joint working internationally

Read about the joint working and co-operation between organisations led by disabled people (DPOs) at an international level.
Shocking abuse at Whorlton Hall

Undercover filming by a reporter for the BBC Panorama Programme has revealed highly offensive attitudes and language about patients amongst Whorlton Hall staff, intimidation and mockery of patients and an unacceptable use of restraint.
Money and Mental Health: The Benefits Assault Course

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute launched a report about particular difficulties which people with mental health diagnoses/in mental distress have when trying to navigate the benefits system.

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.