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 almost 130 PSI-Volition member organisations with a focus on supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing. They work in various settings; from health, housing and the arts to carers’ support, talking therapy and crisis services. Our members are at the heart of what we do, and we aim for organisations both large and small to influence decisions across Leeds and nationally.
To find out more about our members please search the Forum Central members directory or download the list of PSI-Volition members (pdf, 212KB, updated July 2018).
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.
Our member organisations support people in a variety of different ways including:
- Peer support
- Counselling
- Healthy living
- One-to-one support
- Group wellbeing activities
- Self-management courses
- Specialist supported housing
- Supported independent living
- Mental health specialist services
- Advocacy
- Arts
- Psychological therapies
- Dementia services
- Employment
- Homelessness
- Information and advice working with many of the communities with the greatest inequalities and those who are at most risk of poor 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
Small Talk Saves Lives
Samaritans in Leeds recently spent time talking to commuters at Kirkstall Forge and Horsforth train stations to encourage the public to act if they notice someone who may be at risk. A new phase of the Small Talk Saves Lives [...]
Touchstone Vacancies: Advocacy Kirklees Advocate (3 posts)
Advocacy Kirklees Advocate Salary: £20,852 pa/pro rata 3 x roles up to 37.5 hours The role will be based in Dewsbury Advocacy Kirklees is a new advocacy service in Kirklees, and brings together the Care Act, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, [...]
SBSC Carers
Mental Health Social work support for carers in South Leeds The South Mental health social work team are looking at improving the support they can offer to carers. They are focusing on people who care for someone over 65 who [...]
Representation
Our members and the Forum Central team are involved 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:
- Kashif Ahmed, Head of Mental Health 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
- Karen Pearse, PSI-Volition Director
Mental health services development groups
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 for 2018 onwards.
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
Third sector representatives:
- Fiona Venner, CEO Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service and PSI-Volition Trustee
- Lucy Graham, PSI-Volition Development Worker
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
- Lucy Graham, PSI-Volition Development Worker
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.
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.
Mental Health – Strategic Information
We hold regular mental health information and strategy sessions open to all. Please check the events listings page for upcoming meetings.
Contact Us
General Enquiries
0113 242 1321
Karen Pearse
PSI-Volition Director
Karen is the Director of PSI-Volition.
Karen has worked in the third sector in Leeds for around 15 years in both small and larger organisations including Multiple Choice, East Leeds Health For All, St Anne’s Community Services and Leeds Mind. Her background is in substance use and mental health. Her experience includes a citywide strategic role managing the Dual Diagnosis Project for nearly eight years and more recently set up the Converge programme working with four higher education institutions in Leeds.
Lucy Graham
PSI-Volition, Development Worker
Lucy brings a variety of experience to the role of Development Worker, having worked and volunteered in numerous third sector organisations big and small, both locally and in her native Northern Ireland. Most recently, she lead a team in a start-up social enterprise, focusing on providing sustainable employment for people with mental health difficulties.
With a degree in Law and MSc in Psychology, Lucy feels strongly about human rights, equality and inclusion, and is passionate about better mental health for all.
Outside of work, Lucy enjoys exploring Leeds’ diverse culinary offerings – as with many adopted Yorkshire folk, she has a particular soft spot for a good pie!
Gillian Schofield
Administrator
Gillian joined Volition first as a volunteer in 2014, and then became the organisation’s administrator the following year.
Gillian has worked for the NHS and civil service previously, most recently as an information analyst with health data. She has a wealth of voluntary experience, especially in the health and care sector in Leeds. She currently volunteers with the Arts and Minds Network and Leeds Children’s Hospital Scout and Guide Group.
Gillian enjoys all things creative, from painting to jewellery making, and writing to singing with a choir. If she wasn’t working for Forum Central, she’d like to be writing and illustrating children’s books.