Get involved
Many of us have an interest in mental health for one reason and another. For some this interest comes from personal, lived experience. We may have experienced mental distress ourselves or been close to someone else who has. We may have used or be using mental health services. We have been close to someone else who has used mental health services. Many of us wish to get involved and share our ideas, skills, knowledge, experience and expertise in this area.
These pages aim to try and tell you about the opportunities that there are to get involved in Powys and beyond. We will use these pages to highlight any participation opportunities within the field of mental health that may be of interest to you.
If you see an opportunity here that interests you but you are not sure about getting involved, feel you need some support or training or have any questions, then please just get in touch with us and we will try and help. You can email laura.gallagher@pavo.org.uk or call the team on 01686 628300.
Also if you don’t see an opportunity that you are interested in but have an idea about how you might like to be involved then please get in touch with laura.gallagher@pavo.org.uk or call the team 01686 628300.
eParticipation
Dyfed-Powys Police Authority Equality Objectives - your chance to influence
In line with the Equality Act 2010, the Police Authority is required to set one or more Equality Objectives to outline how we will achieve any of the aims set out in the “General Duty” (to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations). This duty will extend to the Police and Crime Commissioner from late November onwards.
Consultation with our diverse communities is fundamental to helping us to ensure that our statutory duties are met. We would welcome you to provide feedback in a short survey (click here). Our rationale for the objectives proposed is detailed within our consultation document (click here).
Without your participation, it would be difficult for us to set objectives that are truly reflective of what our communities’ consider are areas for improvement for policing governance.
The consultation closes on 29th February 2012.
Petition for Concessionary Fares
Following the announcement by the Welsh Government that the Community Transport Concessionary Fares scheme will end on 31 March this year, Community Transport Association Wales has been asked by its members to set up a petition on the National Assembly website to press for the continuation and expansion of concessionary fares on all community transport, on a separate fares basis. The petition can only be signed once by each person, and it is open for signature until 9 March.
Research opportunity for Involving People network members
Are you interested in joining the TRUST Research Development Group for emergency care for psychiatric patients?
If so, the advert below may be of interest to you.
Please read the advert in full.
The deadline for responses is the 26th February 2012.
The advert includes details of the type of commitment that will be required and how to register your interest.
Opportunity/Title: | Four people to join a Research Development Group about emergency care for psychiatric patients. |
Run by: | Angela Evans, Swansea University. |
Background Information | The aim of the group is to develop a research proposal for a trial about alternatives to A&E admission for psychiatric patients. |
What is required? | To contribute to all aspects of developing this research proposal. |
Commitment | · Attending an all-day meeting March 9thSwansea · Attending other meetings (number not yet known – possibly up to six) · Commenting on drafts of the research proposal. |
Who can get involved | Mental health psychiatric service users, ideally with experience of accessing emergency care for a psychiatric condition or feel they are likely to do so in the future. |
How to register an interest | Please submit three or four paragraphs saying why you would like to be considered for this opportunity and list any relevant experience. |
Deadline for responding | Please send your expression of interest to involving.people@wales.nhs.uk by the 26th February 2012. Alternatively, you can post your expression of interest to Involving People, NISCHR CRC, 3rd Floor, 12 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ. |
Expenses | Honorarium / Payment for Time will be paid by Involving People at a rate of £65 per meeting. Involving People will also cover reasonable travel expenses. Successful candidate/s will be sent a copy of the Guidelines for Expenses. |
Powys County Council Information and Advice Strategy Survey
Information and Advice strategy survey
English Version
http://surveys.powys.gov.uk/index.php?sid=77352&lang=en
Welsh Version
http://surveys.powys.gov.uk/index.php?sid=77352&lang=cy
UK Government consultation on the Disability Living Allowance & Personal Independence Payment
This consultation is intended to seek views on the second draft of the assessment criteria for Personal Independence Payment and in particular on the changes that have been made since the first draft, the proposed descriptor weightings and entitlement thresholds and the draft regulations.
During the initial consultation last summer, many disability organisations said that without the inclusion of descriptor weightings and entitlement thresholds for the rates and components of PIP, it was difficult to understand the impact of the criteria and therefore to comment fully on the UK Government's proposals. This further consultation should provide the necessary material to make that judgment, and we would encourage organisations in Wales to respond with any concerns.
Please note that this is a UK Government consultation on a non-devolved issue, and that any queries should be addressed to DWP.
Powys Community Safety Partnership Questionnaire 2012
Community Safety is the protection of everyone’s right to live without fear for their own and other people’s safety. Powys has one of the lowest crime rates in England and Wales and through proactive working, the CSP is further reducing crime and anti social behaviour to improve the quality of life for all those who work, live and visit Powys.
For a number of years Dyfed Powys Police, Powys County Council, Powys Health Board, and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been responsible for tackling crime and disorder in the county. These agencies, along with other key partners form the Powys Community Safety Partnership (CSP). We have recently introduced neighbourhood management here in Powys – this is just a way of partner agencies working together to solve local issues.
We are currently reviewing our priorities for reducing crime and disorder in Powys. Please let us know if there are any crime and disorder issues of concern to you in your local area by completing this short questionnaire – it will only take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans in Wales Consultation
The Welfare Reform Bill that is currently before Parliament abolishes the discretionary Social Fund and paves the way for delivery of new local services to replace Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans for general living expenses.
From April 2013 the Social Fund is being devolved to local authorities in England, the Scottish Government and to the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government will receive funding equivalent to that which was spent on the Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans in Wales at the point at which responsibility is transferred.
How should this money be spent and on what? You can feed in your views here, where there are further details of the consultation and how to respond.
Start of consultation: 06/01/2012
End of consultation: 30/03/2012
How Fair is Powys?
The council, in partnership with the local health board, is undertaking an exercise to consider current issues of inequality to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
Although significant progress has been made over the years, there is now compelling recent research evidence that issues of inequality are prevalent across Wales and the UK. The most compelling emerging finding is that low socio-economic status tends to underpin most types of inequality. This inequality also drains public sector resource as the impact on people's lives eventually requires costly intervention.
The council is gathering views to shape equality objectives to consider where improvements may be required. These will be based upon national research findings but also on gathered evidence from local people and employees. Please take just a few minutes to log your opinions to help this process and encourage others you know to take part and complete the questionnaire which can be found here.
Hard copies of the survey can be obtained, if you would prefer, by contacting John Thomas in the Communications Team on 0870 192 3755, email John.Thomas@powys.gov.uk
How to get involved in a Tackling Poverty Action Group
You can find out more by clicking on the following documents:
Tackling Poverty Exernal Advisory Group - Appointment of Members - English
Powys Volunteering on Prescription wants your help
If you have referred someone to Volunteering on Prescription, there is an online survey here.
If you had contact because you were interested in volunteering the online survey is here.
Consultation Draft Mental Health (Secondary Mental Health Services) (Wales) Order 2012
As part of the Welsh Government’s work in preparation for commencement of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010, a draft Order has been developed that provides further definition about what are to be considered Secondary Mental Health Services under the Measure.
A formal consultation is now commencing on this Mental Health (Secondary Mental Health Services)(Wales) Order 2012 and responses are required by 14 March 2012.
All the documents, including a response form and the Draft Order itself can be found at the Welsh Government website.
This Order has the effect of:
- excluding any service provided as part of a local primary mental health support service under Part 1 of the Measure from being considered as a secondary mental health service, and
- enabling secondary mental health services provided elsewhere in the United Kingdom to be considered as secondary mental health services for Part 3 of the Measure in Wales.
The Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) Study
The Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) is a group of researchers and research participants in the UK undertaking a major study aimed at investigating the underlying causes of bipolar disorder. The study is funded by two of the world’s leading research charities, the Wellcome Trust and the Stanley Medical Research Institute. Working with collaborators in Europe and the USA, it is the largest study of bipolar disorder in the world.
The study aims to investigate how genetic factors and environmental factors (such as stressful life events) interact and influence susceptibility to bipolar disorder. It is hoped that by increasing our understanding of these factors, developments may be made in the prevention and treatment of this debilitating disorder.
To date over 4,000 people have taken part in BDRN’s bipolar disorder research. However, everyone’s experience of illness is different and it is important to see many more people to enable the best possible understanding of the broad spectrum of bipolar illness. The Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) is being conducted by the Mood Disorders Research Team based jointly at Cardiff University and the University of Birmingham led by Professor Nick Craddock. They are aiming to find a further 3,000 people with bipolar disorder to help with their research.
If you are interested in participating in the study please go to www.bdrn.org and click on the link in the top left hand corner. Alternatively, contact the Mood Disorder Research Team on 029 2074 4392.
Survey of Service User Researchers
This survey is for people involved in mental health research who have also used mental health services. If this statement describes you, please take the time to read the information sheet and complete the questionnaire.
The study, approved by the Fulham Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 11/LO/1480), is being conducted by researchers from Imperial College London with support from the North London Hub of the Mental Health Research Network. The study is co-led by a service user researcher and is overseen by a working group of service users.
All responses to the survey are anonymous and will be treated with the strictest confidence. We do not ask for any identifying information.
If you would like further information please feel free to contact us.
Sue Patterson: susan.patterson@imperial.ac.uk
Tim Weaver: t.weaver@imperial.ac.uk (Chief Investigator)
Jenny Trite: j.trite@imperial.ac.uk (Chair Service User Working Group).
Opportunities for service users & carers in North Wales
The Mental Health, Learning Disability and Substance Misuse Clinical Programme Group is looking for a service user and a carer to join the Service User and Carer Experience Sub-Committee. The Sub-committee will support the work of the CPG Board in improving the quality of services and ensuring that service users and carers are effectively engaged in the work of the CPG.
Meetings will be held bimonthly at venues across North Wales.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact Tina Foulkes, on
01745 816711 or email asstdirector@unllais.co.uk or Jane Jones, BCUHB on 01745 445608 ext 6642 or email jane.jones19@wales.nhs.uk
Opportunity with Dyfed-Powys Police
Can You Help Your Local Community by Becoming an Independent Custody Visitor?
Independent Custody Visitors are members of the public recruited specifically to visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment of people detained in custody and on the conditions under which they are held.
Dyfed-Powys Police Authority administers an Independent Custody Visitors scheme and currently has vacancies in Aberystwyth (Ceredigion), Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire) and Newtown (Powys).
Consultation - Integrated Mental Health Strategy
The document is currently out for consultation, with a closing date of 24 November.
More information is available here.
You can respond to the consultation on this online survey.
latest news
£5.5m for ‘personalised’ mental health services
Tuesday 21 February 2012Over the Christmas period (Wednesday, 28 December 2011) the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths announced that there will be new funding worth 5.5m to improve mental health services.