Service User Representatives Project

We aim to consult regularly with individual service users and local service user groups, service providers (e.g. social workers, CPNs and others) and carers, to gather information about how you see services being delivered in your area.

We then feed this information back to the people responsible for the planning and provision of mental health services in your area, i.e. Primary Care Trusts (NHS), Health & Social Care (Social Services) and other agencies.

There is a national agenda encouraging service user participation in the planning and delivery of mental health services. Now is an ideal opportunity for users to have a strong local influence on how mental health services are planned.

All Service User Representatives have at some time received, or are still using services for their own mental health problems. We feel our first hand experience of using mental health services puts us in a strong position to take forward your views and be a voice for all service users. We are employed as YOUR representatives.

The Service User Representatives project commenced in 2005. We have established effective relationships with mental health service providers and our SURs now found themselves as members of many Dorset Primary Care Trust committees and other forums.

Over the last few years the Forum has gained a reputation for advocating the views of service users in a balanced and professional manner. This is echoed by the number of invitations we receive at a local and in some cases national level to be involved in all aspects of the implementation of mental health services.

A charity's success is dependent upon many factors, including the importance and effectiveness of its projects, plus a little luck. The Forum was very fortunate and proud to have the SUR project endorsed by the Big Lottery Fund, who in September 2007 provided considerable funding of almost £100,000 ensuring the future of the project for an additional 5 years.

If you have any enquiries regarding the SUR project, or would like to become a Service User Representative, please contact the Forum at:

Service User Representatives Project
Dorset Mental Health Forum
29-29a Durngate Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1JP

Tel: 01305 257172
Fax: 01305 261049

email: sur@dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk