What did I do?
As a service user I feIt I could help create the very best services, which is achieved with voice, by sharing lived experience and creating opportunities to improve mental heath.
By being involved in influencing how things are done and presented across services, I feel privileged to be able to provide support and be part of a team to make change happen.
For me working alongside other service users and staff, to help improve the services and impact on patients of all communities, gave me a sense of focus and a sense of pride and purpose.
How it helped me?
I found it helped bring about positive change and kept me motivated on how we can change what we are offering and try implement new approaches
Being offered learning and development opportunities to enhance my skills and learn new ones.
I found attending meetings very helpful, I was able to take away conversations and thoughts and make use of it in my everyday life. It helped me build my confidence and enhance my previous skills with new ones. This gave me the courage to feel ready to apply for jobs.
Being unwell for so long made me believe that I couldn’t work again… Now I know I can.