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A warm welcome to our July E-Bulletin. We are pleased to be back in contact with our wider membership after a brief break in e-bulletins due to staff shortages.
In the meantime, there have been a lot of announcements from the Government about the future of NHS England and significant cuts to Integrated Care Boards and planned closure of Healthwatch. Please continue to share your health and social care experiences with Healthwatch Derbyshire and Healthwatch Derby, because your voice matters.
The Government has also issued its 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS which confirms mental health as a priority area. You may wish to read the Executive Summary of the 10 Year Health Plan, it outlines key commitments including increased investment in mental health crisis services, expanded support for young people, and a stronger role for lived experience in shaping care. These changes are underpinned by three major shifts: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.
Meanwhile, MHT has kept busy and focussed on our key priority which is supporting our Experts by Experience to share their hard-earned wisdom and advice. In recent months that has involved conversations with health care leaders about urgent mental health care and community mental health care.
We have been delighted to welcome 6 new Experts by Experience so far this year, each bringing their individual insights, passion, and lived experience to our growing network.
A number of our Experts have also attended a "Foundations in Patient Leadership" training course led by the excellent David Gilbert and delivered especially for our Experts. You can read more about this and what our Experts got out of it in this e-bulletin. |
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What we are working on
We have been working with Mark Powell, Chief Executive Officer of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Mark and Experts have established a working relationship at our regular Expert Peer Support Meetings, a space where Experts and Professionals can discuss and collaborate on different aspects of mental health care provision.
The below image shows Rose and Jean, Carer Experts by Experience, Ruth, Expert by Experience and Mark Powell, CEO of Derbyshire Healthcare. Photo by Tony Fisher. |
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Patient Leadership
A group of our Experts recently completed the “Foundations in Patient Leadership” course, led by David Gilbert, England’s first Patient Director.
With powerful insights drawn from lived experience, the course explored what it truly means to bring the patient voice into service design. The Experts reflected deeply on their roles, questioning norms, and envisioning new possibilities for patient leadership.
👉 Read more about their reflections and impact on the Mental Health Together website. Don't miss this inspiring insight on how lived experience is reshaping conversations, challenging assumptions, and opening up new ways of thinking across the system.
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Our System Voice
In May to June 2025, we were involved in a review of the urgent mental health care provision in Derbyshire. Led by the NHS Improvement team, the review involved Mental Health Helplines, Safe Havens, Crisis Teams, Crisis Support and Social Services.
A number of Experts by Experience attended the Men-SAT (Urgent and Emergency Mental Health Services Assessment Tool) stakeholder engagement sessions and an in-person Summit on Wednesday 18th June 2025. We are awaiting the report from the NHS improvement team which should arrive early August.
Additionally, our Experts are sharing experiences into places and spaces that need their input. You may remember from a previous bulletin that Experts were invited to provide feedback on Live Life Better Derbyshire services. Below is an example of good practice and gratitude for an Expert's time and feedback.
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Matt's Story - Suicide Prevention
Matt, Expert by Experience and Mental Health Speaker has worked with Derbyshire's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, sharing his story as part of their latest video campaign.
The opportunity presented when Caroline Savidge, Suicide Prevention Officer and Wendy Hodgkinson Suicide Prevention Facilitator came to our Expert Peer Support meeting.
“I was able to talk about my experiences with suicide, how I felt and how I recovered and moved on to be a mental health advocate. I truly hope that the videos will make a difference to many people.” – Matt, Expert by Experience
“We are incredibly grateful to Matt, who gave up his time to help us produce a series of videos of people with lived experience of suicide. He spoke openly and eloquently about his experiences, and we know that this will help others who are struggling with their mental health. We have circulated the videos to a wide audience across the system and they have already been viewed almost 1,000 times! We are also using them on a weekly basis to enhance the training we deliver to professionals in Derbyshire, and they are having a powerful impact on audiences. Thank you, Matt, we really appreciate your support.” – Wendy Hodgkinson and Caroline Savidge, Derby and Derbyshire Suicide Prevention Programme.
Matt is involved in the Baton of Hope Derby and Derbyshire tour on 13th September 2025. Hear more on the Baton of Hope on the DCCMHSP.com/podcast |
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Remembering Thomas Comer
By Niki Glazier
When I first met Tom about 4 years ago, he told me he had been 'a naughty boy' and had got into lots of trouble in his teens ending up in various services. He then explained that his ADHD, Autism and severe Dyslexia had been undiagnosed at the time although he was now very aware of himself. As a result of his challenges and past trauma he spent a significant percentage of his life in mental health services, not infrequently in hospital. I share this about Tom because what made him remarkable as an Expert by Experience was that despite leading a very disrupted life, he still found the passion and determination to still make a difference.
He was always thinking about how to create a better and more compassionate experience for those who are vulnerable. A few years ago, he designed a sensory assessment tool with staff to be used when someone was admitted to a ward. He was proud to be elected as a Hospital Governor for Erewash and was probably the first Governor to attend his first meeting from an in-patient ward!
He was determined to do things on his own terms, not to be shaped by the system but to shape it with his ideas. He believed in the art of the possible and would go to great lengths personally to do that. He was truly inspiring to me and to some of our other Experts who got to know him. We will miss him so much, but his passion and his insights will continue to motivate us.
"I have seen the good, I have seen more bad, but change can be made. If I can do it after everything I've been through, then anyone can" - Thomas Comer (1991 – 2025)
Below is Thomas with James Lewis, Head of Joint Strategic Commissioning for Learning Disabilities and Autism and Andy Wright, Occupational Therapist at the Radbourne Unit in 2021. |
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Mental Health Related News
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Derby City Mental Health Adult Social Care Survey
Adult Social Care and Health are committed to working with service users and their families to help review and improve our Mental Health services. We would really welcome your help by completing this questionnaire as someone who has received a service from our team or supported someone receiving a service in the last year. This information will help us to understand what we get right and how we can improve our service to other people in the future.
More information
If you have questions you would like to ask about the survey, or if you would like the questionnaire in a paper form, another language or different format like large print or easy read then please contact the team on 01332 640000 or email: customerservices@derby.gov.uk(External link)
You can access the survey here: https://letstalk.derby.gov.uk/mental-health-survey
Please submit your completed questionnaire by 8th August. |
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New in-patient mental health hospitals
Over the last year, Experts by Experience and MHT have visited both Carsington Unit at the Kingsway site and the Derwent Unit at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital sites.
Following on from photos of previous visits, this photograph was taken in March 2025 showing Tina Curran (Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service), Josie Bristow-Booker (MHT), Niki Glazier (MHT), Les Ralph, (EQUAL Network Advisor), Sandra Austin (Expert by Experience and EQUAL Network Advisor) and Caroline Morton, (University of Derby). |
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Self-harm and Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework
Hamza, Expert by Experience is actively engaged with the wider Deaf and Deafblind communities in both Derbyshire and Derby City. He has input into the upcoming framework, as the current risks inadvertently excluding Deaf and Deafblind people. Expert contributions can make the difference.
Our Experts by Experience are speaking to James Creaghan, Public Health Lead for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention who asked for their insights.
North Derbyshire Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Forum
Monday 11th August 2025
2pm – 4pm
Coney Green Business Centre, Clay Cross
An exciting and important opportunity for voluntary sector partners and colleagues working in mental health to help shape the Derby and Derbyshire Self Harm and Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-30, and hear about the vital work happening in mental health and suicide prevention.
Hear from powerful voices including:
- James Creaghan, Public Health Lead for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Derbyshire County Council
- Luke Oldham, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Team, Derbyshire County Council & Baton of Hope Derby and Derbyshire Co-Lead
- Wendy Hodgkinson, Derby and Derbyshire Suicide Prevention Programme, Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
- Josie Jakub, CEO of Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
- Claire Goring, Baton of Hope Derby and Derbyshire Lead
- Ellie Scott, Derbyshire Voluntary Action, The Georgia Bird Foundation & Baton of Hope UK Organising Committee Member
- Rachel Bounds, Derbyshire Voluntary Action
Book Your Place Here – bit.ly/11August2025 |
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Community Mental Health Benchmarking 2024 survey
You can read the results of the community mental health survey 2024 for Derbyshire Healthcare.
Between August and December 2024, individuals from each participating NHS trust were invited to take part in the survey. Responses were received from 301 people at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Questions included in the survey consider support while waiting for care, experiences of different aspects of care and treatment, crisis care, and involvement in care.
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Chatterbox Cafe
Meet John, an Expert by Experience and co-founder of Chatterbox Cafe mental health drop-in in partnership with Derby City Life Links and Waythrough.
Chatterbox Cafe is facilitated by John and peers who understand wellbeing through their own lived experiences.
Anyone is welcome.
It is friendly safe space open every Friday 10am-12pm in the Derbion Community Hub, (a small setting located on an entrance/exit at Derby Shopping Centre).
Advance notice of dates the Drop-In is closed:
Friday 15th August and Friday 22nd August 2025.
Friday 5th September and Friday 12th September 2025.
Friday 17th October 2025.
Friday 21st November 2025.
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Mindscapes
Mindscapes is a peer support group empowering individuals, founded by Expert by Experience, Tim.
Like photography? Like finding ways to support yours and others mental health? If you live near or can get to Chesterfield or Clay Cross areas, why not try Mindscapes.
For more information about the group contact Tim: mindscapes.photography@hotmail.com
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Carers voices
Mental Health Together support a number of Expert Carer's to have their voices in the mental health system. Current opportunities that we have shared with our Carer Experts by Experience and that we extend to readers are:
1) Carers UK Annual State of Caring Survey 2025 - Carers UK State of Caring survey is the UK’s most comprehensive regular research into the lives and experiences of unpaid carers. Follow the link to find out more about the survey and to complete it (closes 10th August 2025). https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q6J2MQ7
2) At a local level, NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board / Joined Up Care Derbyshire ask:
- Do you have regular contact with unpaid carers, and/or
- are involved in recording, using or sharing information about carers and their needs.
It would be hugely helpful if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey yourself, as your insight will directly help shape future work to ensure unpaid carers are consistently identified and supported, no matter which service they are in contact with.
The survey is open until 22nd August and only takes a few minutes to complete: https://research.local.gov.uk/jfe/form/SV_3jy1vsujFEdMRYq |
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Carers Information
Universal Services for Carers in Derby offer support for Derby City Carers. See their latest newsletter.
For Carers support in Derbyshire visit Derbyshire Carers where the service is called Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service.
New Poster below! Derby City and South Derbyshire Mental Health Carers: Self-help group that support carers in Derby City, Erewash, Amber Valley, and South Derbyshire. They meet on the third Friday of every month 11.30-2pm at The Oddfellows, Oddfellows Hall, 32 Charnwood Street, Derby DE1 2GU.
High Peak Mental Health Carers’ Group: Run by Carers with lived experiences providing invaluable peer support. First Wednesday of each month 11:30am-1:30pm. Methodist Church, Market Place, Buxton 11.30am to 1.30pm. Contact Helen 07791 219541.
The Croft, Ripley Mental Health Carers and Carers Group: invite carers and ex-carers to a friendly group offering support. The Croft, Slack Lane, Ripley, DE5 3HF on the second Thursday of the month starting at 1.30pm until 3.30pm. Facebook page called the Croft Mental Health Carers Group. Contact Terry 07721 006100.
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Mental Health Carers Community: are a friendly group who are trying out a new location in Loundsley Green, Chesterfield. For more information on the meeting dates and times please contact Jose on 07730 526219. |
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A letter of hope
Trigger warning. Talking about suicide and suicidal ideation.
Ellie Scott, Living Well Collaborative Coordinator for Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire and Bolsover shares this message.
I would love to share this amazing resource that members of the Chesterfield and NEDB Collaborative have created. A group of strangers with lived experience of suicide attempts and/or suicidal thoughts came together to write a letter that can be used as a symbol of hope for anyone in crisis and to let them know that they aren’t alone. It lets you know that there are people out there who have been in a similar situation and they have made it out, so you can to. It is a beautifully written piece that has the potential to save lives, so we urge you to share it as far and wide as possible. This idea originally came from a group of people in Devon, and their letter of hope is used in the crisis teams, mental health wards, in A&E, emergency services and in the VCSE sector. We would hope that this letter has the potential to be shared in the same way.
The letter can be viewed here and on the back is support options and helpline numbers. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please let me know and I will share it with the group ellie@dva.org.uk.
Or by emailing lettersofhopechesterfield@gmail.com - this inbox is monitored occasionally by the group and is not a crisis support email.
Even though this feels like the end of an era for the Collaboratives as we have known them for the past 2 years, it is evolving into something new, and we have this lasting legacy piece of work that will hopefully support lots of people! This shows what can happen when people work together in a collaborative way and there will be plenty more work like this that will continue in the future. |
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Borderline Derbyshire Newsletter
Derbyshire Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group is for anyone affected by Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) in Derbyshire and beyond.
View the Summer 2025 newsletter at the bottom of the page. |
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Joined Up Care Derbyshire
Joined Up Care Derbyshire produces a bi-monthly newsletter which provides important updates on health and care developments around the city and county.
July's edition involves updates on Talking Therapies and Disability Direct therapy service for mental health challenges. Also, a new service in the High Peak called Team Up, reducing hospital admissions for non- medical emergencies is hailed as good practice in the NHS 10 Year Plan.
View the latest edition and subscribe using the button below.
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Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism
NHS England's latest edition includes national updates.
Including updates on the 10 Year Health Plan from the Claire Murdoch, National Director for Mental Health and Tom Cahill, National Director for Learning Disability and Autism.
Read and sign up here.
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Support is available
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed or in need of urgent mental health help, you can now call 111 and press 2, or visit 111.nhs.uk/ 24/7 to speak with a trained professional 24/7, 365 days a year.
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Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Health and Wellbeing Website
Did you know about this great resource? Visit: Derby & Derbyshire - Emotional Health & Wellbeing
A new Perinatal Mental Health section is now live on the Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Health and Wellbeing website.
It brings together a range of support for parents and carers from pregnancy to 2 years — including crisis services, peer support groups, training, resources and safeguarding information for professionals. |
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Grapevine Wellbeing Centre, Buxton
The Grapevine Wellbeing Centre, Buxton is a drop-in wellbeing centre. They also hold lots of events throughout the year about different aspects of mental health. Including talks from people with lived experience on their recovery! Book securely at your leisure on Grapevine's Eventbrite page. |
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Text based services here for you
Text 'TOUGH' to 85258 for free, confidential text based support available 24/7.
More information below. |
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If you have any feedback, or questions, please email us at: ddicb.mentalhealthtogether@nhs.net
 Mental Health Together  @MHTDerbys
Disclaimer:
While every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this bulletin are accurate and up-to-date NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board do not accept any responsibility of any omission or inaccuracy as it is not deliberate. Nevertheless, we will appreciate provision of accurate information to improve our work. Where links are provided to external content, NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board holds no responsibility for such content or accuracy.
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