Healthwatch Lincolnshire YourVoice@HWL - Mental Health
Healthwatch Lincolnshire held it’s recent YourVoice@HWL event on 9 October 2019 at the Storehouse, Skegness. YourVoice@HWL Events are held 4 times per year usually in January, April, July and October of each year and are open to all who have an interest or concern around NHS services or Social Care Services in Lincolnshire.
The theme for each event is chosen to match Healthwatch Lincolnshire’s priorities and services within Lincolnshire.
Community Mental Health Services
The focus for this event was Community Mental Health Services. It is an opportunity for both professionals, patients, carers and their families to get together and have an honest and open discussion around a theme. A Panel with expertise on the given theme can be asked direct questions and give responses to the audience in a “Question and Answer” style format.
The event was opened by the Coastal Community Choir who uplifted the spirits of the attendees with some very moving pieces! The Coastal Community Choir started at the end of 2015 and from small beginnings now has 37 members. The choir is for people who enjoy singing, whatever their ability. There are no auditions, and members don’t have to be able to read music, they just have to like singing.
They meet every Thursday at St Andrew’s Church, Butterwick at 7 pm for an hour’s practice followed by tea or coffee and a chance to catch up with old friends. It doesn’t cost anything to join although choir members do make donations to cover the cost of refreshments and photocopying. Members come from all around the local area including Butterwick, Freiston, Old Leake, Friskney, Wrangle, Benington, Leverton and Frithville.
For more information contact Helen Dower on 0781 068 2969 (e-mail: helen.dower@btinternet.com) or just turn up on a Thursday night at 7 pm, you’d be most welcome.
This event had representation from Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (LPFT): Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality; Interim Divisional Manager, Community Division; Service Manager, Adult Community Services; Manager, Steps2change on the Panel and over 50 representatives from a wide range of organisations both statutory and community providers.
On the day, there were 54 people in the room – representatives from community groups and members of the public who had an interest in Community Mental Health services; 10 representative from the Trusts and Commissioners who provide the NHS services in Lincolnshire; 4 representatives from Healthwatch Lincolnshire and members of the public.
