Hi everyone Welcome to this Sefyll Extra mail-out.

We have lots of opportunities for service users to get involved and share their expertise in various groups so please get in touch if you are interested. We provide ongoing training and support to help you in your role. Contents What is Recovery? Recovery Implementation Groups The Mental Health Charter Eating Disorders Service Training Opportunities Intro to Welsh Politics Recovery Mental Health and Housing Group For more info please contact Sefyll on 029 2022 2000 or sefyll@cvmhdp.org.uk

What is Recovery? The term Recovery has no one commonly agreed definition. Mind describes Recovery as: The uniquely personal and ongoing act of claiming and gaining the capacity to take control of life that is personally meaningful and satisfying, with opportunities to perceive her/ himself as a valued citizen. The person may develop and use their self-determination to grow and thrive, despite the presence of the limitations and challenges invited and imposed by distress, its treatment and the personal and environmental understandings made of them. People with mental health problems have described it in several ways: Recovery is not the same thing as being cured. Recovery is a process not an endpoint or a destination. Recovery is an attitude, a way of approaching the day and facing the challenges. (P E Deegan) Recovery... is about what was lost: rights, roles, responsibilities, decisions, potential and support. It is not about symptom elimination, but about what an individual wants, how s/he can get there and how others can support them to get there. It is

about rekindling hope for a productive present and a rewarding future and believing that one deserves it. (Curtis, 1998) The Recovery model focuses on potential, strengths and interests not on limitations. It is a holistic model which looks at the whole person not just their illness and symptoms. Working within a Recovery model in Cardiff and the Vale will require changes in attitude from both service users and professionals: Service users have to be prepared to step out of the 'sick role' and start to regard themselves as autonomous people with the capacity to come through a period of mental distress and develop their individuality, self awareness and self acceptance. Professionals need also to look at people's potential, and to stop being managers and start being facilitators. They need to start looking first at people's potential for development rather than at how their mental distress may restrict their lives. Mind

If you would like to be a part of making the Recovery model a reality in Cardiff and the Vale read on for info about how you can get involved! Implementation of the Mental Health Recovery Plan Background Work has been going on for the last 12 months to develop a plan to deliver Recovery focussed mental health services across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. A Recovery steering group was established 12 months ago which produced the Adult Mental Health Charter. This was launched in February 2011 at an event at County Hall which many of you attended. A Recovery Action Plan has been developed and agreed and now 4 implementation groups will proceed with the delivery of this action plan. The 4 groups are : Recovery Education Changing the Culture Redefining Service User and Carer Involvement Communication Service users are needed to take an active part in these groups. You will be provided with ongoing support and training you will need enthusiasm and time to help make the plan a reality. If you want to find out more please contact Linda or Anna on 029 2022 2000 or e-mail sefyll@cvmhdp.org.uk

Charter for Mental Health Every person in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan has the right to mental health services that: 1. Make a positive difference to each person they serve. 2. Stop doing things that are not working. 3. Are guided by the individuals views about what they need and what helps them. 4. Treat everyone as a capable citizen who can make choices and take control of their own life. 5. Work with respect, dignity and compassion, regardless of age, disability, gender, language, race, religion, sexual orientation or background 6. Recognise that mental health services are only part of a persons recovery. 7. Recognise, respect and support the role of carers, family and friends. 8. Communicate with each person in the way that is right for them. 9. Understand that each person has a unique culture, life experiences and values. 10. Give people the information they need to make their own decisions and choices. 11. Support their workers to do their jobs well. 12. Challenge us and them attitudes both within mental health services and in the wider society.

Eating Disorders Service Do you have personal experience of an eating disorder? Would you like your voice heard in developing local services for sufferers of eating disorders? There is an opportunity to contribute your ideas and thoughts into the decision making processes by attending various policy implementation groups within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The Eating Disorders service are a friendly welcoming group who value the input that service users have into their work. You will receive ongoing training and support to help you in your role.

If you are interested please get in touch to find out more on 029 2022 2000 or e-mail sefyll@cvmhdp.org.uk

Recovery - training for service users Sefyll has arranged for AWARE a Cardiff and Vale based user-led training organisation, to provide training to other service users about Recovery. If you have heard of Recovery but are not sure what its all about and want to know more then this training is for you. You will learn about the concept of Recovery and also have the chance to think about what Recovery means to you. The training will take place on 21st November from 2pm until 5pm at the Cartrefi Cymru Meeting room, Curran Rd Cardiff. (This is very close to our office for those of you who have visited us). To find out more please contact Anna or Linda on 029 2022 2000 or e-mail sefyll@cvmhdp.org.uk Training Opportunity Intro to Welsh Politics for Service Users Oct 6th 2011, 1.30 4.30, Venue in central Cardiff (details on booking). In Wales, the more you know about political structures and how decisions are made, the easier it will be for you to start to plan how to campaign and influence decision makers. This active and participatory workshop will provide you with

relevant, up-to-date information about the different levels of government, what issues they can make decisions about and where powers lie in Wales. Who is this course for? This course is aimed at service users who are already involved in voluntary and community organisations who want to influence decision making in Wales. If you are interested please contact Anna or Linda at Sefyll on 029 2022 2000 or sefyll@cvmhdp.org.uk Mental Health and Housing group This group is trying to improve housing options and support for people with mental health problems. They would like to invite 2 more service users to join the group to share their experiences and to help collect views from other service users around housing issues. The group is planning to hold a large workshop in October to look at the issues around mental health and housing in Cardiff and the Vale. They would also like as many service users as possible to attend the workshop to share their experiences and views about housing. If you are interested in housing issues and would like to get involved please give us a ring to find out more on 029 2022 2000 or e-mail us on sefyll@cvmhdp.org.uk