A successful first Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub
On Wednesday 17 May, over 50 participants came together in Exeter from across Devon for the first Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub meeting, focusing on system transformation and partnership working.
We were lucky to have a great panel of speakers leading the session, ably managed by Matt Merriam, the Devon Mental Health Alliance Community Development lead for Exeter, East & Mid Devon, which included:
Jacquie Mowbray-Gould, Director for the MHLDN Provider Collaborative
Trish Oliver, Expert by Experience
Victoria Burns, Devon Partnership Trust Senior Responsible Officer for the CMHF programme
Emma Sircar, GP and Primary Care Mental Health Lead
Tricia Stewart, Director and Founder of Counsellors Southwest
Julia Boas, Deputy Chief Executive of Intercom Trust
A full report is being produced capturing outputs in more detail. This will be submitted to the One Devon Board as well as shared on our website. Key themes included the importance of sustainable commissioning, the ability of the voluntary and community sector to drive joined-up working in partnership with funders, and challenges in data sharing.
We’re now in the process of planning our next event, which will focus on young people’s mental health, including the transition to adult services. More information will be released shortly.
About the Mental Health Hub
We know that there are lots of great networks already up and running, so the Devon VCSE Assembly Mental Health Hub is not intended to cut across any existing activity. Rather, it will be a collaborative conversation space to meet colleagues from across the VCSE and statutory services with the intention of sharing challenges, best practices and thinking, in the hope that this will organically enable opportunities to improve outcomes for the people we support.
The VCSE Assembly’s Mental Health Hub will meet on a quarterly basis, reporting into the overarching One Devon governance structure to share feedback and recommendations for system change. Whether you’re a grassroots delivery organisation or already work at a more strategic level, everyone is welcome to attend. We recognise the strength and insight that will be gained through the participation of a wide variety of people.
About the Devon, Plymouth & Torbay VCSE Assembly
The Devon, Plymouth and Torbay VCSE Assembly is a ‘community anchor’ bringing together independent charities and community-led organisations across the county. Together, we are multi-purpose and aim to provide holistic solutions to local problems and challenges. At a local level, our members are often the driving force in community renewal. We aim to support, complement, and add value to local VCSE networks and partnerships, including Local Care Partnerships.
The Assembly is not a membership organisation — anyone who wants to be involved can be. Instead, we are a space where people, communities, and organisations can contribute and engage in improving how important services are designed and delivered in Devon. For more information, visit the Devon Communities Together website.
If you haven’t already signed up to be a part of the Assembly and receive regular communications, please complete this form. If you have any queries or would like to get involved, please email dptvcseassembly@gmail.com.