Barry Carter
Voices for Choices – volunteer for 17 years.
Voices 4 Choices supported service users / ex-service users of mental health, substance misuse and alcohol services to have their say in the way services are planned, developed and evaluated locally.
I have been a volunteer for Friendship Care and housing for 17 years.
Within my role at Friendship care and housing I have volunteered in the resource café / wellbeing hub.
Within this role I support staff within the resource café, helping with light refreshments and chatting to service users who come along and use the service.
Recently I have been involved in a service user group which is currently looking at the company’s policies and procedures, looking at the impact they have on the service user and the service which is being provided. This group takes place bi-monthly.
Making space – a service user reviewer for 2 years.
As a Service User reviewer I identify, develop and implement tools to audit mental health services throughout the mental health services across Warwickshire, as and when required to meet the needs of the service. I actively promote the project amongst service users and provide regular feedback and written reports to the Service Manager.
I have found this role very rewarding and have become more confident and value the opportunity to share my experiences.
I have had the opportunity to take part in the following:
- consultation events
- service user strategy group
- training
- policy development
- review groups
- interviews
Declaration of Interests:
Political Party: None
Financial or other interest in the Trust: None