Mental Health
Bringing organisations with a mental health focus together.
Network coordinated by Forum Central.
Network coordinated by Forum Central.
About the Leeds Mental Health Network
We ensure the third sector is involved in the strategic planning, development and delivery of mental health services in Leeds.
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.
More about this network
Our member organisations support people through a variety of different ways, including:
- Peer support, one-to-one support, psychological therapies, counselling
- Healthy living, group wellbeing activities, self-management courses, arts and wellbeing
- Mental health specialist services
- Carer support, Dementia services
- Employment support, homelessness support, specialist supported housing
- Anti-stigma work, Advocacy, information and advice
- Working with many of the communities with the greatest inequalities and those who are most at risk of poor mental health.
What we do
We help different organisations, across the voluntary and statutory sectors, work better together to support people’s mental health in Leeds.
We meet regularly as a network to share information and strategic updates so that members can continue to develop and offer great services, which align with city-wide priorities.
We work to make sure the third sector is involved in planning and shaping mental health services in Leeds by being represented in decision-making spaces.
We meet regularly as a network to share information and strategic updates so that members can continue to develop and offer great services, which align with city-wide priorities.
We work to make sure the third sector is involved in planning and shaping mental health services in Leeds by being represented in decision-making spaces.
Who can join?
This network is for people who work or volunteer for an organisation, charity or community group which has a Mental Health focus. Our meetings are mostly aimed at leaders but we actively encourage those who are looking to develop their leadership skills and connections to join too.
Our networks are made for our Forum Central member organisations. If your organisation is not yet a member you can still sign up and take part but we would encourage you to become an official member organisation too. Membership is free, find out more about Forum Central membership here.
Find out which of our member organisations deliver mental health services by visiting the Forum Central Member Directory.
Our networks are made for our Forum Central member organisations. If your organisation is not yet a member you can still sign up and take part but we would encourage you to become an official member organisation too. Membership is free, find out more about Forum Central membership here.
Find out which of our member organisations deliver mental health services by visiting the Forum Central Member Directory.
Join the network
Get involved. If you’re part of a third sector organisation or group in Leeds you are welcome to join us. Want an introductory meeting first to see if it’s for you? – Simply get in touch. Contact Gabriella Obeng Nyarko, Mental Health Development Worker, employed by Volition.
Mental Health Member Meet ups
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.
The network meets every 2 months via Zoom or in person. We recommend that if you cannot join us, a colleague takes your place, or if you wish to convey a message to the network, please send us the information up to 7 days before the meeting, and we will bring it to the meeting on your behalf.
We are always keen to highlight the fantastic work our members are doing to support communities in Leeds. If you would like to share a presentation, please email us for more information.
The network meets every 2 months via Zoom or in person. We recommend that if you cannot join us, a colleague takes your place, or if you wish to convey a message to the network, please send us the information up to 7 days before the meeting, and we will bring it to the meeting on your behalf.
We are always keen to highlight the fantastic work our members are doing to support communities in Leeds. If you would like to share a presentation, please email us for more information.
Last meeting
Upcoming Meeting Dates
Next Mental Health Network 2025 meeting dates
Previous Meetings
Please email hello@forumcentral.org.uk for previous meeting notes not listed below.
2025 Meetings
2024 Meetings
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 board is now chaired by Cath Roth and Hannah Davies and the 3rd sector representatives are:
- Iain Anderson, CEO of Age UK
- Jay Silver, Clinical and Community Services Manager at Touchstone
- Jenny Groves, Founder & CEO of Battle Scars
- Joy McMillan, Peer Support Worker (Mental Health Collaborative)
- Pip Goff, Director of Volition
- Sinead Cregan, Director of Development and Innovation at Inspire North
- Tessa Denham Director of Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service
Leeds Mental Health Strategy 2020-2025
Senior Responsible Officers (SRO’s) have been identified for each of the priority groups which are now forming and detailing project initiation documentation, workstreams and identifying key representatives and outcome/person centred measures for each. This diagram shows the delivery plan in summary and SRO’s aligned to each Priority as of Nov 2020 (subject to change).
An SRO’s group meets regularly to oversee progress and reports directly into the Mental Health Partnership Board for Strategic governance and steer.
As each workstream develops third sector representation will be key. If you are interested in finding out more about how to get involved and becoming a rep for the sector with support from Forum Central, please contact sarah.wilson@forumcentral.org.uk
Background: Prior to Oct 2019 the draft document for the strategy was presented at a variety of stakeholder engagement events, including the MH info & Strategy session in Sept 2019.
An SRO’s group meets regularly to oversee progress and reports directly into the Mental Health Partnership Board for Strategic governance and steer.
As each workstream develops third sector representation will be key. If you are interested in finding out more about how to get involved and becoming a rep for the sector with support from Forum Central, please contact sarah.wilson@forumcentral.org.uk
Background: Prior to Oct 2019 the draft document for the strategy was presented at a variety of stakeholder engagement events, including the MH info & Strategy session in Sept 2019.
Synergi-Leeds
Synergi is a network of organizations – both statutory and voluntary – that share a commitment to reducing ethnic inequalities in mental health and mental health detentions. They aim to create a culture of change throughout the entire system and life course. Synergi empowers people to make changes within their services by fostering collaboration and building trust between communities and services.
This network supports the delivery of priority 2. If you need more information, please send an email to Gabriella.obengnyarko@forumcentral.org.uk.
This network supports the delivery of priority 2. If you need more information, please send an email to Gabriella.obengnyarko@forumcentral.org.uk.
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:
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:
- Sophie Hailwood, Operations Director, Touchstone
- Jenn Bravo, Turning Lives Around
- Gabriella Obeng Nyarko, Mental Health Development Worker
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: Caron Walker, Public Health, Leeds City Council
Third sector representatives:
- Gabriella Obeng Nyarko, Mental Health Development Worker
- Sarah Wilson, Senior Mental Health Development Worker
- Damian Dawtry, Men’s Health Unlocked Coordinator
Offenders Mental Health Working Group
This group is a collective of third sector, statutory sector, criminal sector, and other key partners in the city to oversee the delivery of a coordinated multi-agency response to address the existing pathway of support for people involved in the criminal justice system from start to finish. We are also working with these colleagues around supporting vulnerable people transitioning out of prison, strengthening connections between prison and third-sector services, and signposting to mental health resources and support including Mindwell.
Chair: Caron Walker, Public Health, Leeds City Council
Third-sector representatives: Gabriella Obeng Nyarko Mental Health Development Worker
Chair: Caron Walker, Public Health, Leeds City Council
Third-sector representatives: Gabriella Obeng Nyarko Mental Health Development Worker
Information & Resources
The Leeds All Age Mental Health Strategy sets out how ‘Leeds will be a Mentally Healthy City for everyone’. This is in response to the The Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which provides a framework for improving health and sets out a vision for making Leeds the ‘best city for health and wellbeing’.
The Mental Health Strategy was updated to highlight the existing challenges facing the sector and how the city plans to address mental health needs and promote good mental health. In 2022, three workstreams were added to highlight the impact Covid-19 has on mental health and well-being for many people.
The Mental Health Strategy was updated to highlight the existing challenges facing the sector and how the city plans to address mental health needs and promote good mental health. In 2022, three workstreams were added to highlight the impact Covid-19 has on mental health and well-being for many people.
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Board paper
Published Before 2021
This report is based on feedback from 65 organisations with only a few supported by quantitative data and from insight gained from the Communities of Interest network between April and July 2020.
A report from the independent Mental Health Taskforce to the NHS in England | February 2016.
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 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.
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 action plan for Leeds setting out the direction and priorities for suicide prevention work in Leeds until 2020.
Living with Lived Experience Films
View an unfiltered perspective on living with a mental illness through our Living with Lived Experience Films.
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Sign up to be kept up-to-date
The Mental Health Network sends out regular information to network members, including calendar invites to our meetings and a weekly bulletin.
To receive these invites and updates, sign up using the link below and select the ‘Mental Health’ option.
This mailing list is managed by Forum Central. You can subscribe to more of our mailing lists by selecting multiple categories which are listed.
To receive these invites and updates, sign up using the link below and select the ‘Mental Health’ option.
This mailing list is managed by Forum Central. You can subscribe to more of our mailing lists by selecting multiple categories which are listed.