Expertise

I consider it a mission of mine to make sure others get the gold standard of care I received.

I’ve been working with the Forum as a service user representative since 2017. I find it rewarding and enjoyable to give something back to the community. I owe a debt of gratitude to mental health services in the Vale of Glamorgan who I sought having experienced an episode of very ill health.

My experience changed my life. I sought the help of Bipolar UK, who, after providing an education in Bipolar, showed me the ways to manage my condition. I then joined the team and became a facilitator myself. After working with Bipolar UK, I went on to work with facilitating courses with a recovery group based in Cardiff and the Vale, then on to the Local Mental Health Partnership Board in Cardiff and the Vale as a service user representative. From there, I became a service user rep for the Community Mental Health Transformation Board pilot study. I represented service users by voicing their concerns about how to navigate the change from accessing Secondary Services in their respective localities to a central hub at Barry Hospital. I also detailed my own experiences of crisis care in a way that demonstrated how positive outcomes can be achieved if timely and effective care is given by compassionate people. I consider it a mission of mine to make sure others get the gold standard of care I received.

With the wealth of experience I have, I believe that in working with the Forum and National Partnership Board as a Representative, I am part of the best organisation there is to make a positive change to people’s mental health in Wales.

I encourage anyone who is willing to help make a difference to join the Wales Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum.