South West England groups

Bournemouth People First is a charity run by and for people with learning disabilities

Bristol Survivors Network is a group of people from the greater Bristol area who have lived experience of mental health difficulties. They meet to gather and share information about what is going on in mental health services and campaign for improvement. They hold informal social meetings as well as more formal business meetings once a month. For up-to-date info on mental health resources see www.bristolmind.org.uk

CornwallMentalHealth.com was originally conceived by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust and project managed by Pentreath Ltd. Both staff and clients contributed widely to it's development as an interactive directory and webzine. After it's initial launch, the North Cornwall Integrated Care Pilot identified the need for a more comprehensive resource aimed at both service users and providers and extensive service mapping for the new CornwallMentalHealth.com was completed. No specific address or phone for this directory. Please use Cornwall Mental Health's website to locate the specific organisation you need to get in touch with.

The Dorset Mental Health Forum is an independent charity established in 1992. They directly employ service users and people with mental health problems. They provide information and signposting for mental health service users and their carers, as well as for other interested parties such as members of the general public and the statutory services. Practical advice is offered through their dedicated Advocacy Service which also has a statutory responsiblity to provide Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) across Dorset.

Heads Count is a user-led network for people who access mental health services, carers and everyone with experience of or affected by mental health matters in and around the city of Plymouth. We gather individuals’ views, ideas and experiences and help represent these views to service commissioners and providers, to improve mental health services for the future.

Healthwatch Devon is the local consumer champion in health and care in Devon. They have significant statutory powers to ensure the voice of service users and local people is strengthened and heard by those who commission, deliver and regulate health and care services. They also provide information and advice on the health services in the area and on finding the best care.

Supporting Children and Young People’s mental health, In Other Words offers a supported self-governing group with fun activities and ongoing development opportunities to help build confidence, self-esteem and belief in a non-judgemental, confidential, safe and non-clinical environment.

Recovery Devon is an independent community of people of good will who support Recovery and wellbeing; both as a personal vision and as an underpinning value base to promote radical change in mental health attitudes and provision. You can also email the group at [email protected]

Service User Network Swindon (SUNS) is a service user led charity in Swindon, which has been providing support to mental health service users since 1998.  SUNS aims to give service users a voice, helping them to speak out about their experience of mental health services, as well as offering a place to meet like minded people in a supportive and friendly environment. The charity is managed and staffed by service users and ex-service users.

Suicide Crisis Centre is open to people in Gloucestershire. The service provides face to face support. Trauma services support people over a wider geographical area. The charity’s founder is a survivor of suicidal crisis. She set up the charity because she couldn’t find the type of help she needed. She saw what was lacking in terms of services and support, especially for people who are suicidal because of a traumatic experience.

Talk Swindon is an online forum, a venue, not a person or political entity. As such, it hopes to encourage input and discussion on any topic, from all walks of Swindon life

Wiltshire People 1st is a disabled people’s user led Self Advocacy (speaking up for yourself) organisation, with a Management Committee made up of people with learning difficulties.