Launch of Service User Network (SUN) in Bedfordshire and Luton

In partnership with mental health charity Mind BLMK (Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes), the Trust has developed a ‘Service User Network’ (SUN) to improve community support for people with complex emotional needs.

The Service User Network (SUN) is a new, open access, community-based, facilitated peer support service for adults experiencing difficulties with complex emotional needs often associated with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’. SUN offers regular facilitated peer support groups where members are encouraged to both give and receive support.

SUN groups are open to those aged 18 years and over who are registered with a GP in Bedfordshire or Luton. SUN members do not need to have a formal diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ to access the service.

Those accessing SUN groups may typically experience a range of longstanding challenges including: 

• Difficulties managing intense emotions

• Uncertainty about who you are and/or your direction in life 

• Lots of ups and downs in relationships

• Frequent feelings of emptiness or loneliness

• Intense fear of abandonment

• Impulsivity or self-destructive behaviours, such as enduring suicidal thoughts, self-harm or addiction

SUN is a fully self-referred service and you can join by completing a Membership Request Form. Once you have registered as a member, you can attend as many or as few groups as is helpful. SUN groups are facilitated online as well as in community-based locations in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton. Each SUN group will have two facilitators; one with lived experience, and one with clinical experience.

In late January, SUN held a launch event to provide service users, partners and colleagues an opportunity learn about the service, meet staff and find out how the model will be operating across the region.

Commenting on the new service, MIND BLMK’s Lived Experience Operational Services Manager, Charlotte Bell, said: “We are really excited to be launching the SUN in partnership with ELFT. This is a positive step in the right direction to provide an additional layer of support for those struggling with complex emotional needs.

“I look forward to finding out what service users hope to gain from the group sessions and supporting them along their journey.”

Sue Harker, ELFT’s Clinical Specialist and Service Manager at the SUN, added: “Service users are at the heart of everything we do at the Trust, so working with a renowned local charity like Mind will help us to further support our communities in Bedfordshire.

The flexibility of sessions at the SUN will empower people (potential SUN members) to access support according to their own needs. It is a real privilege to be involved.”

If you would like to learn more about the service, you can visit Mind BLMK’s website.