We are a community for people with lived experience of mental health to campaign for change.
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) is looking to appoint a Chair of the Board of Trustees.
We are looking for an experienced, inclusive and thoughtful Chair who understands the IMHN’s vision and values, is able to support our future plans and strategy as well as helping us to build financial resilience.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for a Chair who is excited about our work but also happy to challenge us in order to help us grow. They will contribute to our thinking, strategy and charity planning and be naturally aligned to our values.
We would particularly like to hear from individuals who can demonstrate experience in any or all of the following:
Ideally the Chair of BoT should have lived experience in the mental health sector, as well as being committed to inclusion and having good communication skills. They will understand the tensions and challenges of balancing ambition with operational reality and fixed resources and how to build consensus in an interdisciplinary setting.
Please note that this is a voluntary position, requiring attendance at typically 4 to 6 board meetings a year of 2 hour duration, plus some occasional ad-hoc meetings.
Our new Chair doesn’t have to have worked with an organisation like the IMHN before.
We welcome questions from anyone who is interested. to arrange a chat. In the first instance please email us via
October 13, 2023 at 1:07 pm
You can read our September newsletter by clicking here
September 13, 2023 at 10:01 am
Content note; this piece contains discussions of LGBTQ+ and mental health issues.
The Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group is excited to launch a micro-grants fund for projects that will raise awareness or shine a light on mental wellbeing in the LGBTQ+ community. The fund is being launched with support from the LGBTQ+ Voice & Influence Partnership.
Funded projects will result in people being more informed and aware of what good mental wellbeing or mental health looks like for people who identify as LGBTQ+.
There are four one-off funding grants of up to £250 available. This is a total funding pot of £1000 available.
Ideally, projects will engage a range of people, including;
Sam, on behalf of the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Steering Group, said:
“We are excited this launch this fund as one of the first projects of the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group. The fund will support people and groups with ideas of how to raise awareness of mental wellbeing in our community, and we can’t wait to help bring those ideas to life.”
Henry Poultney, Team Manager of LGBTQ+ Youth Work and Development at Off the Record (Bristol), said:
“Members of the LGBTQ+ Voice & Influence Partnership are joining forces with the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group to deliver funding to individuals and organisations in our local area. We believe that this funding programme will help raise awareness of what positive mental health and wellbeing looks like in the LGBTQ+ community; providing opportunities for new and existing groups to lead the way in making change and creating safe spaces.”
Tom Renhard, CEO of the Independent Mental Health Network, said:
“We know that in the right hands, a little can go a long way – this fund will help bring projects to life. Our network is dedicated to challenging mental health stigma, and this is a great opportunity for people who need support to get their project going.”
Anyone from either the Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire area who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community can apply for a grant. Organisations can also apply. Organisations do not need to be legally constituted but do require a governing document.
Click here to download an application form. The form will download to your computer in a Microsoft Word document format. If you need an alternative format, or a paper copy of the form, please get in touch.
Any questions about the fund, the Steering Group, or the application form, should be directed to . Applications for this round of funding must be submitted by Monday 26 October 2020 at 09:00.
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Notes to editors
Press contact/enquiries: press[@]imhn.org (take care to remove the square brackets from this email address)
What is the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group?
This group is a working group in which members can discuss issues, challenges and opportunities particular to the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. But we don’t just want to talk about these things; we want to help change and develop them. As a team, we’ll be creating and working on projects with the aim to drive positive change for our community within the services.
Why is the group operating in the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire areas?
The health systems of these areas have becoming increasingly unified over recent years. Many mental health services are provided across these three areas collectively. Therefore, the Steering Group works to influence services and support across this combined locality.
What is the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN)?
IMHN supports and facilitates the running of the Steering Group, and is supporting the administration of this grant fund. IMHN are a member-led organisation that work for and in the interests of people with lived experience of mental health. The network supports 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 is OTR Bristol?
OTR Bristol is an organisation that provides support to young people aged between 11 and 25 in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. They support the wellbeing of young people who identify as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community via their Freedom project, and are a partner of the local Voice & Influence Partnership.Members of the OTR Bristol team support the running of the Steering Group.
Where can I get further information?
Further reading can be found below.
October 9, 2020 at 4:26 pm
Give us the benefit of your experience
Get involved with the South Gloucestershire Wellbeing Network.
Be part of establishing a vocal and influential group that will speak out about mental health support in South Gloucestershire.
The network is a working collaboration between Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, The Independent Mental Health Network and South Gloucestershire Council to provide a platform for people with lived experience of mental ill health. The group will discuss experiences of local mental health support, and work to influence services provided in the South Gloucestershire area.
The network currently meets on the first and third Thursday of the month between 10:00 – 11:00am.
The poster for the network can be seen below.
August 27, 2020 at 11:10 am
Click here to be taken to the webpage for the LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Fund
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) is a membership-led organisation that represents a diverse community of past, current and future users of mental health services, as well as those with lived experience of mental health.
By working together, we believe that we can be a force for positive change in the way that mental health is treated, perceived, and recognised.
Our branches lead on work to improve local mental health services, campaign for reforms and changes to the negative ways that mental health problems can be viewed, and act as a local voice for those with a diverse range of lived experiences.
In partnership with Off the Record’s LGBTQ+ Voice and Influence project we are developing a dedicated LGBTQ+ Steering Group for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) areas to help create a safe and effective space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together. Members of the group will be able to voice their lived experience of trying to access mental health support and the quality of any support received.
This will be a working group in which members can discuss issues, challenges and opportunities particular to the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. But we don’t just want to talk about these things; we want to help change and develop them. As a team, we’ll be creating and working on projects with the aim to drive positive change for our community within the services.
Membership of the group is open to LGBTQ+ individuals across BNSSG and we are keen to ensure that membership grows to fully reflect the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.
Members of the IMHN team will facilitate Zoom meetings. There will be space for open discussion and identification of key priorities in which the group would like to campaign for change or increased awareness of LGBTQ+ needs.
Group engagement, highlighted issues and resulting project work will be regularly fed back thematically and anonymously into the wider IMHN membership in order to increase awareness of LGBTQ+ needs and experiences. We believe that this will be particularly helpful for the awareness of organisational representatives that attend external meetings, and will ensure that voices of the LGBTQ+ community can be heard and responded to by commissioners and service providers in order to bring about meaningful change.
Please note that meetings will be taking place virtually for the time being. Should meetings be scheduled in-person, out-of-pocket travel expenses associated with attending will be reimbursed. This includes costs like bus tickets or car parking. Should your require taxi this will need to be agreed in advance.
If you’d like to get involved, click here to express your interest
Diversity Statement
This group welcomes all people. As an LGBTQ+ collective, we want to engage people across the spectrums of gender identity and sexuality, race and ethnicity. A person’s faith or beliefs, their relationship status, their employment and housing situations, and their mental and physical health needs are accepted without prejudice or judgement.
We exist to celebrate our rich diversity within our community and to work together. As people of diverse backgrounds, we can help create change that will bring a significant benefit to the community, and to the wider world.
The pandemic has uncovered the inequalities that have been beneath the surface of our society for decades. We believe that the best way forward is to join together and create a safe space for ourselves. We are not a minority and we do not have to be marginalised.
Our differences make us strong. They give us the chance to learn, explore and grow. It’s in our differences that we will find our commonalities and, through sharing our knowledge and experience freely and without fear, we can bring about real change. We can beat oppression and discrimination together.
August 25, 2020 at 10:38 am
There are three branches of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) in the South West. These are the BIMHN in Bristol; Clarity-NSIMHN in North Somerset; and South Gloucestershire IMHN.
Branches and members of branches support local projects improving mental healthcare and support in their respective areas, as well as working together on projects that take place across the combined BNSSG (Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire) area. This post contains some more information about some opportunities that we are looking for people to put themselves forward for.
If you would like to apply for any of the roles listed below, click here to complete the application form. When completing the form, please select the role you are interested in on the third question. If, for any reason, you are unable to complete the online application form, please get in touch by emailing engagement[at]imhn.org.
1. Represent BIMHN on the Bristol Women’s Commission Health Task Group
The Bristol Women’s Commission Health Task Group meets quarterly, and meetings currently focus on the impact of COVID-19 on women’s health.
BIMHN has a place reserved at these meetings for one of our members to attend and represent the network. If you identify as a woman, live in Bristol, and are a member of BIMHN; we would like to invite you to put yourself forward as our rep for this meeting.
Meetings of the Task Group will last for two hours. If you have any other questions, please get in touch by sending an email to the email address above.
2. Join the BNSSG COVID-19 Lived Experience Steering Group
IMHN’s branches in the South West are continuing to support the work of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Mental Health and Wellbeing Cell. The Cell is part of a wider structure in the South West that is co-ordinating the health and care system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the group formed, it has helped shape the branding of the new 24/7 mental health telephone support line; and is currently reviewing and inputting into proposals about how the local mental health system will respond to the anticipated surge in the number of people experiencing mental health problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you live in either the Bristol, North Somerset, or South Gloucestershire areas; and have lived experience of mental health, we are inviting you to apply to join the steering group. Click here for more information and details of how to apply.
3. Apply to be a lived experience representative trauma-informed practice subgroup
As mentioned above, IMHN are supporting the work of the BNSSG Mental Health and Wellbeing Cell. This includes supporting lived experience representatives to attend subgroups of the Cell; subgroups are dedicated to a particular aspect of the mental health system.
We are seeking an additional representative to attend fortnightly meetings of the trauma-informed practice subgroup. This group focuses on developing services that will take a trauma-informed approach in how they work with people accessing these services. The group will also be about building the case for culture change, and the development of a knowledge and skills framework for trauma-informed practice going forward.
August 16, 2020 at 7:56 pm
In recent months, local mental health organisations and service providers have come together from across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area to form the BNSSG Mental Health & Wellbeing Cell. This Cell is part of a wider structure in the South West that is co-ordinating the health and social care response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) and its branches in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, are supporting the Cell’s work, by facilitating a Lived Experience Steering Group. This group scrutinises the work of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Cell, in order to ensure that people with lived experience of both mental health and accessing mental health services are able to help shape what the Cell is doing.
We are looking for people with lived experience of mental health and accessing mental health services; who live in either the Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire areas; to join this steering group as representatives.
Representatives will attend fortnightly steering group meetings (that may move to monthly frequency in the future). The steering group will comment on, evaluate, and feedback into various pieces of work being undertaken by the wider Cell. A participation payment of £25 per two-hour meeting will be paid to representatives.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please click here to fill out a form to express your interest.
At the third question, please select ‘Bristol North Somerset & South Gloucestershire – COVID-19 Lived Experience Steering Group.’
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from LGBTQ+; or Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
If you have any questions, please email engagement[at]imhn.org, and a member of the team will get back to you.
July 20, 2020 at 10:35 pm
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:
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
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) is supporting the development of a new 24/7 mental health helpline due to start operating soon in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area.
We are looking for up to fifteen people from across the BNSSG area, with experience of accessing mental health services, to participate in a focus group to inform the development of the helpline.
This session will take place on Monday 1st June between 14:30 – 16:00. The session will be hosted online via Zoom. As a thank you for participating, an involvement payment of £20 is being offered for taking part. This will be paid by bank transfer after the focus group has taken place.
Please click here to register for the focus group. To note, you must register via this link if you would like to attend. Registration will close once fifteen people sign up.
For more information, please email engagement[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address). Click here for more information about using Zoom.
Vita Health Group (who currently provide local IAPT services) and the local mental health trust (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) will be jointly running a new 24/7 mental health helpline.
This line is expected to perform three key functions:
It is hoped that the helpline will reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments, and will be linked to Children and Young People services, to create a seamless point of access and information. It is proposed that callers will receive therapeutic support, with signposting to community or statutory services where appropriate.
If you would like to know more about the focus group or get involved with this project, then please email: engagement[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address).
May 28, 2020 at 10:59 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:
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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