14.02.2023
Brent Thrive representatives were delighted to welcome Rebecca Byrne, Head of Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Services at Brent Council to a hybrid meeting about the realities of living with mental health challenges as well as attempting to access quality, effective, timely and trauma-informed support. Some of the key points discussed included;
- Customer friendly, empathetic and enabling response from Brent Council MH staff
- The return of care coordinators for residents with long term and enduring mental health challenges
- More time at GP appointments to ensure a thorough review and response to current MH needs
- Members were clear that they would like to offer their experience of mental health challenges in a positive way to statutory services.
- The need for neuro-diversity services in Brent
- Using creative industries as a means of improving health & wellbeing
- Members also offered to use their expertise as people with lived experience of MH to be a part of any social work training offered in Brent either via co-production or direct training delivered by BT members.
- A user voice that is fully heard and responded to needs investment to ensure all voices are spoken, heard and taken account of. BT is not funded although all other MH services are. If the borough is really recognising the importance of the voice of service users then it needs to offer funding to ensure that this happens and continues.
