History

The National Survivor User Network (NSUN) is a network of people who have and do experience mental distress who want to change things for the better. NSUN connects people and influences policy, practice and perceptions by amplifying the experiences and aspirations of our members.

The network was set up to build a more united and confident mental health service user movement. It recognises the isolation, discrimination and disadvantage experienced by mental health service users and their needs beyond clinical treatment.

What we have achieved.

2003 On Our Own Terms report makes a recommendation to form a national service user/survivor network
2006 The 'Doing It For Ourselves' conference launches the idea of National Network and a Steering Group is set up to make it happen
2007 NSUN is launched after securing funding for five years
2008 NSUN is hosted by Together for Mental Wellbeing and shares accommodation with Catch-a-Fiya
2010 NSUN becomes an independent organisation
2011 NSUN holds its first annual general meeting
2012 NSUN secures a further three years funding
2013 NSUN attracts over 2000 members
2014 NSUN hosts the IIMHL Service User Leadership and Peer Support festival
2015 The 4Pi National Involvement Standards are published and launched
2016 The NSUNthrive10 campaign is launched
2017 NSUN increases membership to over 4500

In 2003 service user-led research, coordinated by Jan Wallcraft for the User Survey Steering Group and funded by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, resulted in the report 'On Our Own Terms'. It urged the formation of a national network to bring individual mental health service users and groups together to encourage good practice and build the capacity of the sector. Inspired by this report, the Sainsbury Centre funded a number of meetings and a conference in London in 2005 to agree on some practical actions based on the recommendations.

A Steering Group organised a conference focused on how to set up a national service user/survivor network. Nearly 200 service users and survivors attended the “Doing It For Ourselves” conference in Birmingham in March 2006. The National Planning Group that grew out of the conference included representatives from a whole range of service user and survivor led groups.

Funding for five years was obtained from Comic Relief and the Tudor Trust and a hosting arrangement was negotiated with the mental health charity Together: Working for Well-being. NSUN received invaluable support with financial procedures and human resources but remained self governing throughout the initial three years. The National Planning Group was then dissolved and replaced by a management committee, selected by an independent panel of service users and survivors.

A launch conference was held November 2007 in Poole, Dorset (see video of the event Service User Conference).

The mission, aims and objectives remain the same today.
Read more here.

You can find out about the current NSUN staff and trustees.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the service user/survivor movement, visit the Survivor History Group website.

NSUN became an independent charitable company May 2010

NSUN received pro-bono support of a solicitor through LawWorks and free business development support from Pilotlight. This helped us on our journey towards independence. If you would like to find out more about their services go to:

www.lawworks.org.uk

www.pilotlight.org.uk

You can view NSUN's Articles of Association here.

If you want to find out more about governance we have lots of resources in our members area. If you haven't joined already just sign up here to access lots of useful information.

Latest

Support NSUN

Your donations makes all the difference. Thanks for supporting us!
Human Rights and Equality evidence wanted for monitoring of Mental Health Act Code of Practice

Following the Mental Health Act Review, NSUN members and friends are invited to supply evidence relevant to chapter three of the Mental Health Code of Practice (2015), which provides guidance about the use of a human rights and equality approach under the MHA.
The NHS Long Term Plan - focus on prevention

NHS England published the NHS Long Term Plan, setting out how they will make the NHS fit for the future, stating the long-term plan could save up to 500,000 lives over the next decade.
Update: Mental Health Act Review

Here's an update of the contacts made with politicians and TUC members about human rights issues, including those related to the Mental Health Act Review

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.