Since its creation over 12 years ago, UiP has championed the creation of User groups and User workers, which are now standard practice, as is a user payments policy.

The former Chairperson and Vice chair have given presentations together with people who use services, to Mental Health workers in Dudley at their monthly training day on the value of including service users in the decision making process.

 Several members have given talks on Direct Payments from their own experience of receiving that benefit.

The UiP steering group have facilitated workshops at a number of venues both large and small.

Our former Chairperson Angela Hill takes a particular interest in women’s issues and mental health, and is an ardent campaigner for women only wards.

 Angela along with other members of the group has worked on transitions from adult services to older adult services to ensure that a clearly defined pathway is implemented. This piece of work was done in conjunction with the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 

One of our executive members Gwen, has an arts and entertainment background and has championed this field as a therapy and recovery mechanism.