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Welcome to our first e-bulletin of 2026!
It has been a very strange and challenging year for us within Mental Health Together with personal bereavements and the service's future hanging in the balance.
We are still waiting to hear whether Mental Health Together will survive the 50% workforce cuts within the Integrated Care Board.
So, we apologise for not having been able to issue our regular bi-monthly membership bulletins.
We are hoping this edition will make up for it a bit as it is packed full of inspiring stories and useful information.
Our Experts by Experience have as usual been a great inspiration to us; courageously sharing insights from their own experience to make services better.
In this bulletin we have a spotlight on Sally B and on Tony but are incredibly grateful to all our Experts for their time and skills.
If you're involved in a mental health project or service that needs to understand the patient's perspective, please do contact us.
There are many ways of involving people and listening to voices of lived experience. We can help you work out the best way to do that for your service.
Contact us on ddicb.mentalhealthtogether@nhs.net
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First Anniversary Celebrations for High Peak Women's Group
Meet the Group's Founder Sally B! 💖👟🥾
I'm Sally B, a mum, wife, writer, Expert by Experience with Mental Health Together, Recovery Connector volunteer with Derbyshire Recovery Partnership/Phoenix Futures, and founder of The Slow Girls Walk Club™ in Chapel-en-le-Frith.
I live with ADHD and have lived experience of mental ill health, eating disorders, addiction and recovery, childhood trauma, chronic illness, postnatal depression and a suicide crisis. These experiences have shaped much of the work I do and fuel my passion for ensuring people with lived experience have a genuine voice in shaping services and communities. I'm also proud to be 6 years and 9 months sober.
I don’t talk about these things because I’ve studied them. I talk about them because I’ve lived them. Those experiences have taught me how important it is to feel heard and seen, and why people with lived experience need a genuine voice in the services and communities around them.
I firmly believe that lived experience has a place at every table, and that by sharing our experiences and listening to others, we can help create more inclusive services that are genuinely shaped by people who use them.
I founded The Slow Girls Walk Club™ in July 2025 with a simple idea: that gentle walking, connection and a safe space can make a real difference. What started as a small local initiative has grown into a thriving community where women can connect, build confidence and know they are not alone.
Police & Crime Commissioner joins group to celebrate 1st anniversary
On 28th July, Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, and Deputy PCC Dr Fatima Eltinay joined the group for a walk. Throughout the evening, Nicolle and Fatima walked alongside the 30 members who came along, listening to their experiences and hearing first-hand what the club means to those who attend.
Sally recently marked a personal milestone of having walked alongside 92 different women since the group began.
"This club has never just been about walking. It's about helping women feel less alone, build confidence, make friends and have somewhere they belong. To have that recognised by Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner as we celebrated our first year together was incredibly special." Sally B
The group meets at Morrisons, Chapel-en-le-Frith:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.00pm
- Fridays at 9.45am
- Monthly social at Café Chaps on the last Wednesday of each month
📧 girlonabenchsally@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn / The Slow Girls Walk Club:https://linktr.ee/TheSlowGirlsWalkClub
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Photo credit: Tim, photographer for the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office. |
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Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts’ 2026 Violence Against Women and Girls survey |
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The PCC's office is encouraging people to complete the 2026 Violence Against Women and Girls Survey before it closes at the end of August, helping ensure local women's voices shape future priorities. |
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Tony shares the power of photography and connection
One of our Experts by Experience, Tony Fisher, was recently a guest speaker at a Loneliness Awareness Week event hosted by Derbyshire Mental Health Forum. Tony shared his personal experiences of mental health and how photography has helped support his wellbeing and recovery.
The event brought together people from across Derbyshire to explore the impact of loneliness and isolation and to share ideas about how communities can help people feel more connected. Tony's presentation, alongside a collection of his photographs, sparked conversation about the importance of creativity, connection and support.
Tony is a passionate advocate for reducing loneliness and social isolation and uses his photography to highlight this issue in society. It was great to see him helping raise awareness of something that affects so many people. See more of Tony's work on his website.
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Our System Voice - Restrictive Practice on In-Patient Wards
A few months ago, we were approached by the Clinical Lead from the Positive & Safe training team at Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust. She explained that they needed to design training material for staff working on their in-patient wards who would be involved in restrictive practice with patients in their care. As part of the Culture of Care Standards all NHS mental health hospitals are expected to actively reduce to a minimum any restrictions placed upon a patient for their own safety or others. You can find out more about the range of restrictive practice here: NHS England » Identifying restrictive practice
Two of our Experts by Experience offered to meet with Sarah and share their perspective, having been on the receiving end of restrictive practices. You will see below the difference that made to how Sarah approached and designed the training sessions. It is incredibly brave and generous to share from your own traumatic experiences in order to make things better for everyone in the future. We are very proud of their work and Sarah is clearly very grateful.
'So good to know that people like Sarah want to improve practice on wards and actually seek out the advice of those of us who have been patients. Fortunately I didn't find it re-traumatising to revisit old memories and was only too pleased to contribute' . Shelagh
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Mental Health Related News
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Have Your Say on Future Mental Health Support Services in Derbyshire - closes 23rd August
Derbyshire County Council wants to hear from people who use mental health support services, as they plan for the future.
The review includes:
- Derbyshire Recovery & Peer Support Service
- Derbyshire Mental Health Independent Living Service
- Derbyshire County Council's Mental Health Enablement Service
The Council wants to understand what support is working well, how people prefer to access support, and what could be improved.
There are no planned changes to current services at this time, and anyone receiving support will continue to do so as normal. Feedback gathered through this consultation will help inform future decisions.
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Creative Confidence on Display in Chesterfield
Tim, Expert by Experience invites you to celebrate the creativity, talent and personal journeys of individuals at a special pop-up exhibition in Chesterfield this August.
The exhibition will showcase around 80 photographs created by members of Mindscapes Photography, a mental health support group that uses photography as a way to explore wellbeing, build confidence and express experiences. Visitors will also be able to view artwork created by members of Communarty, a mental health support art group run by Mindscapes.
The exhibition highlights how creativity can help people express themselves, connect with others and support their mental health and wellbeing.
📍 Feeling Connected Hub (in the Precinct, Chesterfield)
61-63 Low Pavement, Chesterfield, S40 1PB
📅 25 and 26 August
🕙 10am to 4pm
For more information on Mindscapes visit their website.
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New Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre Coming to Derby
A new Mental Health Urgent Assessment Centre (MHUAC) is being developed at the Radbourne Unit, next to the Royal Derby Hospital, with plans to open in autumn 2026.
The centre will provide specialist support for people experiencing a mental health crisis, offering rapid assessments in a dedicated mental health environment and helping people access the right care when they need it most.
Work is already underway to create the new clinical spaces, referrals will initially have to come through the Royal Derby Hospital Liaison Team.
Read more in Derbyshire Healthcare's Positive Dimensions • July 2026 bulletin.
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A New Approach to Personalised Mental Health Care
On 17 July, NHS England published the Mental Health Personalised Care Framework setting out a refreshed national approach to supporting adults and older people with severe mental health difficulties. The framework introduces a new principle which is all about listening to and acting upon the individual person's experience of their care. How does it feel for them and is the care and treatment having a positive outcome for them?
All NHS Foundation Trusts like Derbyshire Healthcare will be moving to the new framework over time. During the transition period, current Care Programme Approach (CPA) arrangements will remain in place while plans are developed and implemented to support the new guidelines.
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Help Shape The Future of Self-Referral Services
Healthwatch Derbyshire wants to hear from people across Derbyshire about their experiences of using self-referral services, and whether people know what support is available.
Whether you've used a self-referral service, found it difficult to access support, or simply want to share how you'd like to receive information about local services, your views can help shape future improvements.
Your feedback will help Healthwatch understand:
- How aware people are of self-referral services
- What experiences people have had when using them
- What barriers might prevent people from accessing support
- The best ways to share information about available services
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Launch of the Big Conversation on Care
As part of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, Baroness Casey has launched a Big Conversation on Care. This aims to give people across the country the opportunity to be involved from the start and share their views on what a National Care Service in England could look like. It will help the Independent Commission to answer some of the most fundamental questions about who care should be for, how we support our families and ultimately how we pay.
Baroness Casey would like to hear from as many people as possible, whether you use care services, care for someone else, work in the sector, or have opinions on how care should work in the future. The initial conversation is running until November 2026.
You can have your say and find out more at: http://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation
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New Report Calls for Better Support for Diverse Carers Across Derby
The Derby Diverse Carers Report 2025/26 presents findings from the largest engagement with diverse carers ever undertaken in Derby. Drawing on the experiences of carers from a wide range of communities, the report provides valuable insights to support future planning, commissioning and service improvement.
Key themes include earlier identification of carers, better support to navigate services, and stronger community-based, culturally responsive approaches to care and support.
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World Suicide Prevention Day 2026
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on 10 September 2026 and is an important opportunity to start conversations, share hope, and remind people that support is available.
You can play a key role.
This year, our campaign in Derbyshire is:
Starting Conversations with Kindness
The campaign focuses on the power of simple, compassionate conversations and the difference they can make to someone’s wellbeing.
To support individuals, communities and organisations to get involved, Public Health have developed a campaign guide alongside a range of free resources that you can use, including:
- Digital resources and social media content
- Posters and printable campaign materials
- Videos and lived experience stories
- Practical resources to support wellbeing and suicide prevention conversations
- Ideas and toolkits to help organisations take part locally
- Opportunities to share your own messages of hope and support
Your one-stop guide can be downloaded from: dccmhsp.com/wspdguide
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Chatterbox Cafe
Meet John, an Expert by Experience and co-founder of Chatterbox Cafe, a mental health drop-in run in partnership with Derby City Life Links and Waythrough. Chatterbox is facilitated by John and peers who use their own lived experience to create a welcoming and supportive space for others.
The group meets every Friday from 10am to 12pm at the Derbion Community Hub, offering a friendly, safe place where people can connect, chat and support one another. Everyone is welcome.
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Supporting Mental Health Carers Across Derbyshire
Derbyshire Carers Association has launched a podcast project sharing carers' experiences and stories. You can find out more at Derbyshire Carers Podcast Project.
For wider support, advice and information, visit Derbyshire Carers. In April 2026, the provider for Derby City changed to Derby Carers Information, Advice and Support Service
Local Mental Health Carer Support Groups
• Derby City and South Derbyshire Mental Health Carers Group meet on the third Friday of every month, 11.30am to 2pm, at Oddfellows Hall, Derby. Contact sandra.austin99@gmail.com
• High Peak Mental Health Carers' Group meet on the first Wednesday of each month, 11.30am to 1.30pm, at Buxton Methodist Church. Contact Helen on 07791 219541.
• The Croft Mental Health Carers Group, Ripley meet on the second Thursday of each month, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Contact Terry on 07721 006100.
• Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Mental Health Carers Community is currently meeting at a new venue in Loundsley Green, Chesterfield. For meeting dates and times, contact Jose on 07730 526219.
Expert by Experience Ruth also highlighted the work of Chesterfield Care Group, which helps reduce social isolation and supports older adults with physical and mental health needs to live well and independently, while also providing respite for carers.
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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 Autumn 2026 newsletter at the bottom of the page. |
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Autism, ADHD and SEND Support in Derby and Derbyshire
Everyturn has put together a helpful booklet bringing together a wide range of neurodiversity support, services and resources available in Derby and Derbyshire.
Read the Autism, ADHD and SEND Support and Services booklet to find out what's available locally |
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Support is available
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed or in need of support, you can call 111 and press 2, 24/7 to speak with a trained professional, 365 days a year.
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Derbyshire Mind
The Crisis Support Drop-in teams continue to work hard towards delivering consistent services across all three of the sites Buxton, Swadlincote and Ripley.
The Service is Open Friday and Saturday evenings 6.00pm to 11.00pm, and Sunday afternoon 2.30pm to 5.30pm every weekend.
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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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