Perceptions
The network for service-users/ex-users hosted by Rethink.
Introduction
We are a national network of over 600 people who have experienced severe mental illness in one form or another. The network offers mutual support and develops awareness of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, from the viewpoint of those who have experienced it. Although we benefit from being part of the Rethink charity organisationally, we formulate our views independently.
Most members have experienced one or more mental health breakdowns leading to their admission to hospital. Their experiences will usually have included being confused by imagining things or hearing voices, and periods of being unable to cope. Many members eventually make quite good recoveries, but for others the problems can be ongoing. People usually have to take medication for long periods, and put up with the side-effects. It's usually very difficult for people to get back into work, especially with the level of prejudice and misunderstanding faced by people who have been mentally ill.
Perceptions forum seeks to get our voice heard. This is done through participation of members in meetings and committees, both within Rethink and external mental health organisations. Perceptions forum members have, for example, been fully involved with the Mental Health Alliance in responding to the Government's consultation on the review of the Mental Health Act.
Perceptions magazine
We produce a quarterly magazine, Perceptions, which is sent free to members. This gives service-users the chance to write about their experiences or views, or to contribute poems, short stories or cartoons.
Martha Robinson poetry competition
This is held yearly with a 1st prize of £100. More information on this competition will appear here soon.
User involvement and representation
We promote the involvement of service-users, sending representatives to many meetings. These include Rethink’s Board of Trustees, and Public Affairs and Operations committees. Rethink, itself, has a target of 30% of its members being service-users or ex-users, to make the organisation more balanced between users and carers.
Participation in training
Some members have participated in training sessions for professionals organised by the Rethink training department. A few have talked about their experiences in TV or video interviews. Some of these videos have been used in the training of professionals.
Conferences
We have held 5 conferences since 1998, particularly focussing on personal methods of coping with mental illness/distress and its associated problems. The last one was July 21st 2005 in London it was called ‘Discovering Autonomy’ and the speakers included Chris Barchard [ex-service user/Perceptions chair], Jan Wallcraft and Rachel Perkins. People from Voices Forum have also played key roles in some Rethink conferences.
Local groups
We have a number of small local groups, where members meet to socialise or receive mutual support. We list our local groups and contacts in Perceptions magazine.
Statement on the events of the 2010 AGM
Rethink’s Membership and Participation Committee has considered a report from chief executive Paul Jenkins about unacceptable behaviour at the Annual General Meeting of Perceptions in December 2010. It was also briefed on the outcome of a meeting on 15th February between Perceptions’ chair, Christian Wilcox, Mr Jenkins, Pat Kapellar, Perceptions’ representative on Rethink’s Board of Trustees and Mark Davies, Director of Communications, Campaigns, Information and Research at Rethink. At this meeting Christian and Pat expressed their regret over the events at the AGM.
In the light of this the Membership and Participation Committee has now agreed:
- that Rethink will provide administrative assistance to enable Perceptions to publish the next issue of its magazine
- that Rethink will provide administrative assistance to enable to the Perceptions poetry competition to go ahead
- one meeting of the editorial board of Perceptions will take place at Rethink to plan these two activities
- Rethink will support the updating of the website during this period
- that the planned Perceptions conference to be held in May will not go ahead
The National Perceptions Forum has been funded by Rethink and Rethink’s Board of Trustees remain accountable for its actions. It is critical that members of an organisation such as Perceptions, or indeed any organisation, as well as staff servicing such organisations, have a right to attend meetings without feeling that their safety and well-being might be compromised. It is also critical that meetings are conducted appropriately and that all in attendance are treated with respect. Rethink is currently undertaking an Involvement Review to further enhance the way people who use mental health services are able to get involved with the organisation. It was agreed that the future of Perceptions be included in this review and its membership would be consulted on its views.
Perceptions forum has a part time office base at Rethink's head office. This gives a point of contact for existing and prospective members and facilitates co-operation between Perceptions forum and Rethink
Perceptions Forum,
Rethink
89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TP
For more information and individual contributions, see our developing website at www.voicesforum.org.uk.
