VCF Forum March 2017 - 'Tell Theresa’, Sheffield’s plea to the PM on mental health

Our VCF (Voluntary, Community, and Faith sector) Forums bring together decision makers, members of the public, and those working across voluntary and statutory organisations. We discuss topics related to the health & wellbeing of local people. Find out more here.

Our VCF Forum in March was a successful event and we are committed to continuing our work on mental health services and involving voluntary and community groups.

Entitled ‘Tell Theresa’, the subject of the meeting was mental health and what we want to tell Teresa May about what matters to the people of Sheffield about mental health and our priority areas for her to work on. We were delighted that our panel for this meeting included Fiona Goudie, Clinical Director of Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust, Margaret Lewis, Chief Executive of Sheffield Mind and Roz Davies, Managing Director of Recovery Enterprises.

Then, after deciding the key areas needing attention as a forum, we sent a letter to the Prime Minister.

Mental health is a major issue for many people and groups across the city and something that Healthwatch Sheffield has been looking into for some time. Our report into mental health crisis care was published last year.

The Healthwatch Sheffield VCF Health and Social Care Forum was formed last year to bring together and reach more people. Its first formal meeting was held in October to explore the Sustainability and Transformation Plan. The aim of the Forum is to bring lots of different organisations to share views and information and collaborate on topical health and social care issues. The Forum works to reach more people, especially those whose voices are seldom heard, and to ensure that the voices of individuals and the sector are heard by those that plan, deliver and commission these services locally.