We are a community for people with lived experience of mental health to campaign for change.
We are working with people and communities in Greater Manchester (GM) to shape mental health support. To ensure people with lived experience play a key role in this, we are looking for representatives to participate in the following opportunities:
- Mental Health Lived Experience Leadership Forum
- GM Adult Mental Health Delivery Board (facilitated by GM Health and Social Care Partnership)
- GM Mental Health Programme Board (facilitated by GM Health and Social Care Partnership).
At the Independent Mental Health Network we value ourselves on being inclusive; brave; respectful; determined and innovative. If this sounds like you, read on and send in an application.
More information about each opportunity is below, applications are to be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 30th July. If you have any queries please get in touch with us at
Join our ‘Lived Experience Leadership Forum’
The group will help to shape the future of mental health services across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, representing its diverse communities in an inclusive network.
The forum will meet on a monthly basis, ensuring that the lived experience voice is represented from the grassroots community level through to a Greater Manchester level. This will be essential to influencing change across the GM mental health network and ensuring mental health support is person-centred.
As a representative on the forum, you will shape the work plan and priorities, bringing in a wider range of experiences for wider communities. There will be the opportunity to discuss how we improve mental health support, services and education throughout GM, whilst holding people to account in a constructive manner where required.
This is a paid role and support will be provided by IMHN to carry it out. Full information about the post and how to apply can be found here.
GM Adult Mental Health Delivery Board
We are looking for lived experience representatives to join the GM Adult Mental Health Delivery Board meetings.
The aim of the role is to ensure that the lived experience voice is represented at a senior level, providing leadership in improving people’s experiences of mental health services and wellbeing support.
These meetings will cover a range of services provided across GM, including:
- Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
- Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP)
- Liaison mental health – Core 24
- Out-of-Area Placements
- Physical Health of people with severe mental illness (SMI)
- Personality Disorders
- Suicide Prevention
- Individual Placement Support (IPS)
- Older Adults
The GM Adult Mental Health Delivery Board usually meets eight times a year.
This is a paid role and support will be provided by IMHN to carry it out. Full information about the post and how to apply can be found here.
GM Mental Health Programme Delivery Board
We are looking for lived experience representatives to join the Greater Manchester Mental Health Programme Delivery Board meetings.
The aim of the role is to ensure that the experiences of those accessing mental health support are represented at a senior level, providing leadership in improving the experience of mental health services and wellbeing support.
The key areas of work covered include:
- 24/7 community-based access and crisis care for children and young people (CYP)
- GM iTHRIVE network and CYP workforce development (NHS, Local Authority and
Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector) - Mental and emotional wellbeing in education settings (schools)
- Improving mental wellbeing, building the capacity and resilience of communities and
suicide prevention - Perinatal and parent-infant mental health
- Liaison mental health – core 24 access across GM
- Enhanced adult crisis and urgent care options
- Integrated Improving Access to Psychological Therapies / Primary Care Rapid
Assessment Interface and Discharge
The GM Mental Health Programme Delivery Board usually meets 4 times a year.
This is a paid role and support will be provided by IMHN to carry it out. Full information about the post and how to apply can be found here.
Additionally, the link to apply for these opportunities can also be found here.
July 9, 2020 at 1:23 am
Announcing IMHN as the Independent Facilitator of Mental Health Lived Experience Engagement across Greater Manchester
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) has been announced as the new Independent Facilitator for the Greater Manchester Adult Mental Health Service User Network.
IMHN will be working closely with people with lived experience of mental health problems and the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership to develop a strong network that will influence the design and shape of mental health support across the region.
IMHN CEO, Tom Renhard, said:
“We are delighted to be working with people and communities across Greater Manchester to support the development of a strong voice for those with lived experience of mental health problems, shaping future mental health support for years to come.
We are already working with members of the adult mental health service user network and the wider partnership to build strong relationships and explore the key priorities for the region. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to bring people together ensure mental health support is the best it can be; with the voices of people with lived experience being instrumental in getting this right.”
The first steps are continuing to speak to people and communities across the region about experiences of existing mental health support, and how they would like to participate in shaping the network. We are keen to hear from the fantastic range of people, organisations and communities across Greater Manchester; so do get in touch.
Listed below are a number of ways to initially get involved. Additionally, members of the IMHN team are happy to join virtual meetings, taking place during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to introduce themselves and discuss topics of interest.
Ways to get involved:
- Sign up to our and tell us about what matters to you
- Anyone that would like to work with IMHN can get in touch at any time by emailing greatermanchester[@]imhn.org
- we are holding regular ‘virtual’ engagement events – details of these can be found by clicking here
[ENDS]
Notes to editors:
What is the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN)?
IMHN is a member-led organisation that works both for, and in the interests of, people with lived experience of mental health. Via our branches, we support work improving local mental health services; contribute and campaign on mental health matters happening both locally and nationally; and actively challenge mental health stigma by working with partner organisations.
What has IMHN already achieved?
Via its branches in Bristol and North Somerset and with the support of our membership base, IMHN’s work has resulted in the organisation acquiring a reputation as a staunch advocate for effective and worthwhile change.
This is a result of work including but not limited to: co-designing the new IAPT service across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire; ensuring effective lived experience involvement in the introduction of brand new mental health crisis and recovery centres; and contributing to national campaigns, for example by leading the Bristol Time to Change Hub partnership, and delivering Peerfest 2017.
Where can I get more information?
IMHN’s website can provide more information about our ongoing projects, past achievements, and current operations.
Visit www.imhn.org for more information. The top menu can direct you to dedicated webpages covering latest news, our branches and membership, and the work we are doing dealing with the consequences of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
For specific questions, clarifications, and further information, please contact .
May 15, 2020 at 9:35 am
Are you someone with a passion for improving mental health services and empowering those with lived experience of mental health?
Do you support the principles of lived experience leadership and have a willingness to ensure this remains embedded in health and social care services?
If so – the Independent Mental Health Network wants to hear from you!
We are currently recruiting:
- Project Coordinator (Representation and Engagement) – fixed term, to 28 February 2021
- Project Coordinator (Communications and Engagement) – fixed term, to 28 February 2021
- Trustees – voluntary position for a three-year term
More information about each opportunity is below and if you have any queries please get in touch with us using the contact details provided.
Project Coordinator (Representation and Engagement)
Information about the post
Salary: £19,500 (pro-rata) – equivalent to £10 per hour.
Hours: Part-time – 30 hours per week (fixed term to 28 February 2021)
Location: Greater Manchester
The post-holder will be expected to provide all aspects of project coordination to the organisation’s representation and engagement functions in Greater Manchester. This will involve working closely with different stakeholders, including: IMHN Board of Trustees, IMHN members, funders, providers of mental health services, etc. This will also include providing support for representatives with lived experience of mental health problems attending meetings and engaging in shaping mental health support on behalf of the organisation.
The post will be based in Greater Manchester, with the opportunity for flexible and occasional home working. This will include travel to meetings across Greater Manchester. The role may also include occasional evening and weekend working hours.
Note: if the government restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are in place at the time of employment, the role will initially be home based
Full information about the post can be found by clicking the job description and person specification link.
Job description and person specification
IMHN Application Form – Project Coordinator
IMHN_Equal_Opportunities_Monitoring_Form
How to apply
To apply for this post, please send in your completed application form, CV and monitoring form to recruitment[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address – this is an anti-spam measure), by no later than 12 noon, Monday 18 May 2020.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 28 May or Friday 29 May 2020.
Project Coordinator (Communications and Engagement)
Information about the post
Salary: £19,500 (pro-rata) – equivalent to £10 per hour.
Hours: Part-time – 30 hours per week (fixed term to 28 February, 2021)
Location: Greater Manchester
The post-holder will be expected to provide all aspects of project coordination to the organisation’s communications and engagement functions in Greater Manchester. This will involve working closely with different stakeholders, including: IMHN Board of Trustees, IMHN members, funders, providers of mental health services, etc. This will also include providing communications support for the organisation.
The post will be based in Greater Manchester, with the opportunity for flexible and occasional home working. This will include travel to meetings across Greater Manchester. The role may also include occasional evening and weekend working hours.
Note: if the government restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are in place at the time of employment, the role will initially be home based
Full information about the post can be found by clicking the job description and person specification link.
Job description and person specification
IMHN Application Form – Project Coordinator
IMHN_Equal_Opportunities_Monitoring_Form
How to apply
To apply for this post, please send in your completed application form, CV and monitoring form to recruitment[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address – this is an anti-spam measure), by no later than 12 noon, Monday 18 May 2020.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 28 May or Friday 29 May 2020.
Volunteer opportunity – Trustee
Trustee Opportunity Information
It is expected you will be able to commit about a day a month to assist in influencing the development of a young, dynamic and growing organisation.
We recommend you take a look at the documents linked below. They will help you write your application, and assist with understanding the way that the charity operates
IMHN Constitution (last amended January 2017)
IMHN Constitution – Bye Laws (last amended January 2017)
How to apply
To apply to be a Trustee, please send in your CV and covering letter to trustees[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address – this is an anti-spam measure), by no later than 12 noon, Monday 18 May 2020.
Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 1st June 2020. Please ensure you tell us about any dates that you cannot attend during that week when submitting your application.
For an informal conversation about the role or organisation, please email Tom Renhard at trustees[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address – this is an anti-spam measure).
We would especially welcome applications from those with qualifications or extensive experience in any of the following areas:
- Finance
- Fundraising and bid writing
- Law and advocacy
- Marketing / Public relations
We would especially welcome applications from individuals who identify as:
- LGBTQIA+
- BAME
Further information about our organisation
IMHN exists to represent those with lived experience of mental health, uniting voices for positive change in how mental health services are delivered.
We’re governed by a board of up to twelve Trustees, who work alongside our branches and volunteers to develop a thriving and active organisation improving mental health services and empowering those with lived experience to have their voice heard.
The charity is young and working to develop its first strategic plan that will embed our core objectives into everything that we do. The charity has also launched in Greater Manchester. We will be playing a leading role in developing a network for people with lived experience of mental health that will influence the development of mental health support across the area.
It’s an exciting time for us having undertaken many successful projects including:
- Hosting Peerfest 2017 in Bristol with local partners after competing in a national tendering exercise.
- Taking part in several ward visits and service redesign exercises including Bristol’s mental health crisis houses.
- Delivering a workshop focusing on a new ‘crisis café’ that will be coming to Weston-Super-Mare later in 2019.
- Leading on the local Time to Change Bristol Hub, working with local partners to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.
- Shaping the specification of the new Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.
- We are also currently supporting the development of Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG’s mental health strategy.
This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a key role in a developing and growing charity committed to changing lives and we look forward to receiving your application.
April 16, 2020 at 5:12 pm