Participation is about actively involving children, young people, and their parents or carers in decisions about the services they use and issues that affect them. This could be anything from young people sitting on interview panels to have their say in who is recruited, to redesigning current services and co-producing new services. In a nutshell, participation champions the voices that matter most to shape the things that matter most to them.
Meet your participation team!
Currently we are a team of four, we have three Coordinators:
Cherose - Children and Young Peoples Coordinator
Marie - Children and Young Peoples Coordinator
Tori - Parent/Carer Coordinator
"Championing the voices of Experts by Experience"
Check out our profiles below for more about us, experience and hobbies:
ToriSo how do I get involved?
Getting involved can range from online comments, feedback surveys, interview panels and attending groups/forums, discussing any specific topics and so much more!
If you are interested please follow the link Children and Mental Health Participation Sign-up form.
Or if you have any queries please email us at participation email.
Previous participation participants feedback
Molly, 19, former Service User and Participation Volunteer:
Hi, I’m Molly, I am 19 and I work as a Midlands Young Advisor and a Young Persons’ Volunteer in MPFT Participation. I am an ex-service user who has had my fair share of ups and downs. Participation was recommended to me during my therapy journey. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do walking into the first meeting, but it was also one of the best things. I jumped feet first into so many opportunities. From sitting on interview panels, to attending events we’d organised, to qualifications that we’re funded by the trust. I can honestly say participation is the best therapy I’ve ever received. I got to interact with people like myself, get experience and help people that had been through the same hardships as me. I am now in recovery and still play an active role in MPFT participation, I actively advocate on behalf of those who do not have a voice and change services for the better."
Poppy, 20, Young Person’s Volunteer for MPFT:
"Participation has been a significant part of my personal and professional development. I have volunteered within the service for the past year, and I have been a part of incredible change and service development. My confidence has increased so much, it meant so much to me to have my voice heard and know I was a part of change and my input was able to make a positive impact. I felt empowered during my time working on the website, I was able to begin the change from diagnosis language to emotion-based language and ensure the website was user friendly and accessible for all. I was given space to be creative and explore and that contributed to my input across self-referral and the website development. I am so proud to have been a part of such an amazing service and to see the continued exceptional work where children and young people are at the heart of the service, involved, listened to and their input valued and acted on."