On Thursday 16 October, the Better Mental Health for All Partnership Network celebrated its third birthday at its annual conference in Leicester, with a focus on how the voluntary community sector (VCS) is helping to shape the transformation of mental health services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

With LPT as a significant partner, the network was officially launched in September 2022 to provide a dedicated forum for VCS organisations to work more closely with each other and with representatives from health and local authorities. The network has steadily grown from an initial 40 partners – who took part in the public consultation – to a group of around 100.

Rehana Sidat, CEO of Jamila’s Legacy who helped compere the event, said: “I remember speaking at the launch of the network in October 2022 and urging VCS partners to join in and advocate for change. We are the voice of our communities, and we can help the NHS and local authorities not only to improve services in the best way but also how to communicate to diverse audiences. I am pleased to say that our voice is heard at the very top before decisions are made and this can only be a good thing when there are limited resources.”

Justin Hammond, the Associate Director for MH commissioning at the LLR Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This was a tremendous event with about 100 delegates from so many organisations. The energy, passion, and enthusiasm was contagious. I would like to thank VCS partners for their ongoing commitment, engagement and effort, it really is appreciated. This open, two-way communication, enables me and my colleagues to make better decisions for local people.”

Topics discussed on the day included:

  • how all partners are helping to deliver the new suicide prevention strategy;
  • improvements to services (and where to find them) for children and families;
  • supporting people with personality difficulties; and
  • a new framework of support for the VCS workforce.

Rachel Hall, Deputy CEO of Falcon Support Services, was part of the sub-group that helped to develop a new framework of support for partners. She added: “The VCS sector identified that staff welfare was an issue. Burnout, fatigue or dealing with trauma were some of the most common issues facing the VCS workforce. We have developed a new framework which is designed to keep people well and recognise signs when they could be starting to deteriorate. This is extremely useful, but we identified a gap of when the staff member is in crisis and professional support is needed. We were delighted to announce at the conference that we have secured funding from the ICB to provide that direct support.”

There is a dedicated website for workforce support that has been developed as part of this project. It contains the new Framework, in addition to training and support from a range or partners.

For more information on workforce support, visit:

https://leicesterleicestershireandrutlandhwp.uk/workforce-wellbeing/

 

What is the Better Mental Health For All Network?

The ‘Better Mental Health for All’ Partnership Network was launched in September 2022 to:

  • Bring the voice and expertise of the voluntary sector into the transformation of mental health services across LLR, recognising the sector’s role in the integrated care system.
  • Be a driving force for change, making a demonstrable impact to the mental health and wellbeing of people across LLR.
  • To better evidence the impact of the voluntary sector.
  • To create a place for mental health and wellbeing topics across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to be discussed and shared, with members bringing their own expertise and national good practice to the rest of the Network
  • Develop priority areas for action, with all partners having an equal voice and opportunity to make decisions so that priorities are focused on what our local communities need.
  • Feed its priorities and actions into the Better Mental Health for All’s planning in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.