In November 2025, the For Me Involvement Network gathered in Winchester for an afternoon of connection and reflection, whilst taking the chance to look ahead to the future. We brought together a diverse group of participants which included Involvement Champions, patients from our secure services, staff, commissioners, and facilitators from across the Provider Collaborative, joining both in-person and online.
The Opportunity for Inspiration and Collaboration
The afternoon featured a mix of presentations and discussions. Highlights included real-work opportunities and a newsletter from Ravenswood House, a moving recovery journey story from Thornford Park, and an inspiring session on evolving the ward representative role from Oxford Health.
Everyone was given the chance to creatively share their achievements, priorities, and hopes for the future which were displayed on “trees” for group discussion.
Achievements: Empowerment and Progress
Participants celebrated a wide range of personal achievements; from stories of their recovery milestones, such as moving to less restrictive wards and maintaining sobriety, to patients who are taking on meaningful roles within units as peer support workers and patient representatives.
Creative and social contributions, including café work, magazine and newsletter development, and the organisation of charity events, were also recognised.
These successes reflect a strong sense of agency, recovery, and meaningful contribution to service improvement through lived experience of secure mental health services.
Priorities: Inclusion and Quality of Life
Looking ahead together, the group identified key priorities: enhancing health and wellbeing, reducing unnecessary restrictions, amplifying the patient voice in decision-making, improving communication, and ensuring adequate resources and staffing.
These priorities focus on giving people more choice, helping everyone feel included, and making everyday life better.
Hopes for the Future: Equality and Opportunity
Participants expressed hopes for greater freedom and independence, more paid lived experience roles, genuine power-sharing in decisions, and the chance to enjoy “normal” life experiences. The vision is clear: a future where lived experience is valued equally, and the opportunity to thrive beyond services is there for everyone.
What Participants Said
Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive. One participant shared,
“I thought the event today was great and I had a good time. The tree of hope was a really nice idea. I tried to contribute as much as possible. Thank you for allowing me to join via Microsoft Teams … It was good to have the presentations and see the positive things the For Me Provider Collaborative are doing.”
Another shared, “I thought the event went really well, [I] really enjoyed it, the opportunity to speak with people from different backgrounds, quite comforting knowing everyone knew the process we were going from e.g. other nurses, OTs, service users, that was quite nice. Haven’t been to a similar event, the ice breaker helped put me at ease. The event went smoothly; there was a plan in place and structure – it felt familiar.”
Looking Ahead: Join Us in Oxford This February
Building upon the success of this event, we are pleased to announce that our next For Me Involvement Network event will take place in Oxford at the end of February. We warmly welcome patient involvement and encourage anyone interested in shaping the future of our programme to get in touch. Your voice and experience are vital to driving positive change.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Ian Callaghan, Lived Experience Programme Manager, via the Lived Experience Insights Team at recoveryandoutcomes@rethink.org.
Jan 2026
