Powys Stronger in Partnership Network has developed out of a commitment to delivering the Welsh Assembly Government's requirement that people who have used mental health services and their carers have the opportunity to be genuinely and constructively involved in the design, planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services.

Can be found here.

Contact  Freda Lacey, tel: 01597 828668, email: freda.lacey@pavo.org.uk

This Welsh Assembly Government guidance provides details of this commitment.

You can download the National Principles for Public Engagement here.

The network is made up of staff from the statutory (i.e. Powys Teaching Health Board, Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Heath Board, Powys County Council) and the voluntary (e.g. Mental Health charities, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), Powys Carers) sector.

The network is also made up of individuals that have used mental health services and people who have supported those using mental health services (e.g. carers).

By being partners in the network we accept the commitment by:

• Identifying and developing opportunities for participation within their own organisation and the groups we are involved in.
• Identifying and developing the support needed by volunteer members of the network.
• Identifying and developing learning opportunities that support participation and volunteers.
• Communicating participation and learning opportunities.
• Working together with network members and other colleagues(e.g. staff, individuals) to address and resolve barriers to genuine participation (i.e. from people being able to participate in their own journeys to health through to participating in the design of services).
• Receiving information through the network and responding with their views.

The volunteer network members also:

• Participate in the opportunities that they are interested in and identify gaps (e.g. in participation opportunities and learning opportunities, in the support they need to be able to volunteer).

• A monthly network meeting with partners.
• Regularly by email and also by post and in person with partners (over 70contacts).
• A Stronger in Partnership Facilitator offers supports the network volunteers.
• A Powys Stronger in Partnership newsletter every two months (send to partners and distributed on through their own networks).
• Through powysmentalhealth.org.uk
• Partners engagement with those they have contact with by email, post, in person, through meetings.
• Powys Mental Health Alliance Open Meetings (1-2 a year) and their magazine (2 a year, 1500 distributed).
• Powys Stronger in Partnership events (1-2 annually).
• PAVO Information and Development Service monthly e-bulletin (over 400 contacts).

May 2011 SIP newsletter

March 2011 SIP newsletter

2013 meeting dates:

June 10th, 2.00pm-4.00pm at the CHC offices, Ladywell House, Newtown,   SY16 1JB

August 12th, 2.00pm-4.00pm at the Gwalia, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 6AA

October 14th, 2.00pm-4.00pm at Neuadd Brycheiniog, Brecon, LD3 7HR

December 9th, 2.00pm-4.00pm at the CHC offices, Ladywell House, Newtown, SY16 1JB

For further information please contact Glynis Luke, tel: 01686 628300, email: glynis.luke@pavo.org.uk

You can download copies of the minutes:

December 2012

October 2012

June 2012

December 2011

November 2011

August 2011

July 2011

June 2011