About PSI-Volition
PSI-Volition was formed in November 2017 through the merger of Volition (the mental health forum) and the Physical and Sensory Impairment (PSI) Network.
Through PSI-Volition we promote good mental health for all people in Leeds. We work to ensure that the health and care third sector is involved in strategic planning and development of mental health services.
Membership
There are over 130 PSI-Volition member organisations with a focus on supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Our member organisations support people through a variety of different ways, including:
– Peer support
– Counselling
– Psychological therapies
– Healthy living
– One-to-one support
– Group wellbeing activities
– Self-management courses
– Specialist supported housing
– Mental health specialist services
– Advocacy
– Carer support
– Arts and wellbeing
– Dementia services
– Employment support
– Homelessness support
– Anti-stigma work
– Information and advice, working with many of the communities with the greatest inequalities and those who are most at risk of poor mental health.
Our members are at the heart of what we do, and we aim to ensure that organisations both large and small can influence decisions about mental health across Leeds and the region, as well as nationally.
To find out more about our members please search the Forum Central members directory
For more information on joining please contact us.
What we do
- Encourage partnership working between agencies and across sectors, providing information to third sector organisations to support them in delivering high quality services.
- Ensure that the third sector is an integral part of the strategic planning and development of mental health services in Leeds.
- Maintain working relationships with mental health commissioners and statutory partners across the city, working together to continuously improve the services Leeds provides to support people’s mental health.
You can find out about which of our member organisations deliver mental health services by browsing our member directory.
Mental Health news and events
Lockdown Life – A Short Film by The West Leeds Men’s Network
BARCA Leeds has produced a video to document what lockdown has been like for members of the West Leeds Men's Network, a project delivered to help combat social isolation amongst men in Bramley and Armley. You can watch the video [...]
Leeds GATE Launches Don’t Be Beat Report on World Suicide Prevention Day
Leeds GATE launched its Don't be Beat report last week on World Suicide Prevention Day. Don’t Be Beat was a project funded by the Rayne Foundation and delivered by Leeds GATE between 2018-2020. The project aimed to increase support networks available [...]
Free Mindfulness Support from Leeds Mindfulness Co-op
Leeds Mindfulness Co-op is offering a range of free mindfulness support, including drop-in sessions suitable for all, and an eight week mindfulness course for people with a visual impairment. Drop-in sessions Every Wednesday from 10:30-11:15am starting from 7 October via [...]
Mental Health – Strategic Information
We hold regular mental health information and strategy sessions open to everyone with an interest in the mental health third sector. These meetings are an opportunity to network, get the latest strategic updates and hear from guest speakers.
You can find the latest updates within the following documents:
- Mental Health network members update August 2020
- Mental Health Information & Strategy Session slides – 16 July 2020
Dates for 2020
Wednesday 30 September, 13:00-14:30 via Zoom – please contact [email protected] if you plan to attend
Wednesday 2 December, 14:00 – 16:00 at The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds LS9 9LU
For information contact us at [email protected]
Third Sector and LYPFT Partnership Forum
The LYPFT Third Sector Partnership Forum meets quarterly. Meetings are open to staff and volunteers from LYPFT services, and Leeds mental health Third Sector organisations.
Guest speakers or participants from other partner organisations (e.g. Leeds Community Healthcare Trust, Leeds City Council, Leeds CCG) may be invited to attend where appropriate.
Download the Partnership Forum Principles of Working Together
Dates for 2020:
Thursday 17 September 09.30-11.30 via Zoom. If you are able to attend this meeting or send a representative from your service/team/organisations, please RSVP to: [email protected].
Notes from November 2019 meeting are below:
Representation
Our members and the Forum Central team play an active part in the key strategic mental health and wellbeing groups and boards in Leeds.
Mental Health Partnership Board
The Mental Health Partnership Board (MHPB) is made up of commissioners from health and social care, people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, and providers from statutory, third sector and public health services, and is the strategic board for mental health in Leeds. It is responsible for driving the mental health agenda across the city forward, as well as oversight for service development.
The Board is chaired by:
- Sue Robins, Director of Commissioning, Leeds CCG and
- Caroline Baria, Deputy Director of Integrated Commissioning at Adults and Health, Leeds City Council
The third sector representatives are:
- Tessa Denham, Director of Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service and PSI-Volition Trust
- Lucy Graham, Director of PSI-Volition
Leeds Mental Health Strategy Development
Plans for a citywide, all age mental health strategy are currently being developed, along with a delivery plan.
A group meet regularly to progress this piece of work.
As of October 2019 the draft document, which has been presented at a variety of stakeholder engagement events, including the MH info & Strategy session in Sept 2019 is due to be presented to the MH Partnership Board for approval.
We will continue to keep you up to date as this work progresses
Leeds Mental Health Framework
To make the Mental Health Framework 2014-2017 a reality, Leeds identified four priorities that would make the biggest difference:
- Better and more joined up crisis services
- An increased focus on mental health support in the community, so as few people as possible would need secondary mental health services
- Better information for all to prevent poor mental health and help when people are feeling unwell
- Improving the mental health of children and young people.
PSI-Volition and its members have worked with other partners to drive this work forward. We are also working as part of a core group of Mental Health Partnership Board members to update and refresh the Mental Health Framework , to create a new mental health strategy for the city in the early 2019. Keep an eye on the website and our e-bulletin for updates about this.
MindWell Steering Group
MindWell is the mental health website for everyone in Leeds. It was launched in October 2016 to provide a new and innovative way of supporting people in Leeds. The aim is for everyone to get the information they need about mental health. This includes what to do when you are unwell, how to support someone else you are concerned about, and lots of information and resources about having good mental health.
PSI-Volition and the third sector continue to play a key part in Mindwell’s development. The MindWell Content Manager is co-located at Forum Central’s offices.
Third sector representatives:
- Helen Kemp, CEO Leeds Mind and PSI-Volition trustee
Strategic Suicide Prevention Steering Group
This group brings together third sector, statutory sector and other key partners in the city to oversee the delivery of a coordinated multi-agency response to reduce the number of people who die by suicide. The group also champions support for those bereaved by suicide and the prevention of poor mental health.
- Chair: Victoria Eaton, Consultant in Public Health, Leeds City Council
Third sector representatives:
- Fiona Venner, CEO Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service and PSI-Volition Trustee
- Lucy Graham, Director of PSI-Volition
Mindful Employer Steering Group
Developed by employers, for employers, Mindful Employer® is a national initiative which promotes positive practice around mental health in the workplace. Mindful Employer in Leeds is funded by Leeds City Council Public Health and delivered by Leeds Mind.
The Mindful Employer Leeds service offers support and guidance to employers around mental health in the workplace, encouraging best practice and the reduction of mental ill-health at work. Employers can also join the Mindful Employer network, which meets regularly to share good ideas, tips and support.
The Steering Group consists of cross-sector representatives, and meets quarterly to drive the initiative forward in Leeds.
Third Sector representatives:
- Helen Kemp, CEO Leeds Mind and PSI-Volition trustee
- Karen Fenton, Development Worker, PSI-Volition
Leeds Mental Health Framework (pdf)
2014-2017 strategy for mental health services in Leeds. Developed by partners in Leeds, including PSI-Volition members and people with lived experience.
- Leeds in Mind 2017 (pdf)
The Leeds in Mind 2017 – Mental Health Needs Assessment report assesses the mental health needs of the adult Leeds population, identifies where gaps in provision exist and makes recommendations to address inequity in access to healthcare and unequal health outcomes.
Suicide prevention: Guidance for frontline workers and volunteers.
This guidance is for anyone supporting people during the Covid-19 pandemic in Leeds to help them feel more confident to talk to someone about suicide. It has been produced by the Public Mental Health team (Leeds City Council) along with people from the Leeds Strategic Suicide Prevention Group.
Five Year Forward View for Mental Health (pdf)
A report from the independent Mental Health Taskforce to the NHS in England | February 2016
Thriving at Work: the Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers
An independent review of mental health and employers commissioned by The Government. Thriving at Work sets out what employers can do to better support all employees, including those with mental health problems to remain in and thrive through work. Published October 2017
The Leeds Suicide Audit is nationally recognised as best practice and is recommended by Public Health England. Details are available from the Leeds City Council website.
- Suicide Prevention Working Action Plan [2017-2020] (pdf)
Suicide prevention action plan for Leeds setting out the direction and priorities for suicide prevention work in Leeds until 2020.
Contact Us
General Enquiries
Karen Fenton
Karen is the Volition Development Worker for Physical and Sensory Impairment and Mental Health
Karen joined Forum Central in August 2019. She has a wide range of experience working in both statutory and third sector health organisations across the city for over 10 years in roles relating to involvement, community engagement, social marketing and membership within mental health, learning disability and cancer services.
Karens formal qualifications include a degree in Marketing and Events and an Msc in Health and Social Care Management. Many moons ago Karen also ran a successful children’s party business and still enjoys a good Hokey Cokey.
Leeds born and bred, having moved around and settled back home, she is very passionate about the city, the people who live here and is enthusiastic to be part of the Forum Central team, playing a small part in contributing to addressing health inequalities and increasing wellbeing for all.
When not at work Karen enjoys spending as much time as possible outside exploring with her nearest and dearest.