Open Minds was put on-hold during the pandemic because we found that the majority of our service users preferred to meet in-person rather than via video-conferencing and so we decided to postpone Open Minds till we could meet again in a group at the Wellbeing Centre.

In 2022 we had an Open Day, where we talked to service users about the future of Open Minds. A lot of people told us that the pandemic had changed the way they felt about large meetings and they would prefer smaller consultation groups or for consultation to be part of an existing group's regular discussions. Many people also said they would like consultation to have a social element. We fed this back to the two service user reps on our board of trustees, John and Tim (pictured below). 

Since then, we've been hosting regular Open Minds socials where service users, supporters, partners and neighbours can come along, have a chat, share some food and talk to us about using mental health services at Sheffield Mind. These events are really sociable, we all have a good time and the feedback suggests that you think we're doing well, so thank you for that! To read some of the responses we have received, click here.

 John and Tim regularly get together with the senior management team to look at the suggestions we get from service users and any other feedback we have received.  To read some of the feedback we have received, click here.

If you have any other feedback or comments, please don't hesitate to email us: [email protected]

We welcome both positive and negative feedback about our services because it helps us to continue doing what we're doing well, and make changes where we could do better. You can click here to see some examples of changes we've made, in response to feedback.

If you'd like to contribute on a regular basis to how we run services and how we might change or improve the way in which services are delivered, you might be interested in joining our Open Minds Service User group or attending one of the other service user activities which Tim and John are planning.

OPEN MINDS

Our Purpose:

The group meets to discuss the services available at Sheffield Mind, particularly the service user experience. We gather constructive information and knowledge, which we can use to shape and finesse the way we deliver our services, ensuring they're relevant and achieve positive results.

We really value the opinions of our clients and former clients and want to use these opinions to help us look at how Sheffield Mind functions.

It's important that people feel able to contribute to the group, but there's no pressure to share experiences and no expectations for people to bring particular skills - or to have amazing ideas!

As a part of the quality assurance which Sheffield Mind undertakes we want to make sure we're getting service user feedback into key areas of the organisation. Participation is about working as part of the group, respecting the ground rules and respecting each other’s different opinions and views.

Our Remit:

To provide service user input - comments, opinions and reflections - into our policies, procedures and service development or delivery. The outcome of discussions held within the Open Minds group are noted and fed into the appropriate forum - that might be to a Service Manager, or a Senior Manager, or our Board of Trustees.

Whilst the Open Minds group doesn't have a decision making remit regarding Sheffield Mind’s operational policy, procedure or service development, it does provide the opportunity for a service user voice in these areas.

In addition, service users contribute to the formation of our Strategic Plan, which is the 'road map' that we use to decide what our priorities are, as an organisation.

Frequency

Open Minds meets every three months. An agenda is agreed in advance regarding the areas to be discussed.

Membership

Membership of the group is open to all Sheffield Mind service users, however membership is dependent upon agreeing to - and sticking to -  the ground rules and the purpose of the group.

If you're interested in joining the group and contributing your ideas to the way we do things at Sheffield Mind, talk to a staff member about how you might get involved or emailing [email protected]

We're a friendly and welcoming group and we'd love to see you at a meeting soon!