Since its launch in September 2024, the Havering Forum has grown into a vital space for service users and carers to come together, share experiences, and shape the future of local mental health services.

The forum is co-led by Hazel, a service user, and Joanne Guerin, an Assistant Director at NELFT.

It takes place once a month and it provides support and knowledge to service users and carers within Havering. 

The forum was created to give people a chance to speak and be heard. They are able to have a connection with NELFT staff on a monthly basis and make a change for NELFT service users. It’s about everyone having a voice and being able to say how they feel and what they would like to see improved. The regular attendees are able to support each other and share positive experiences they’ve had with NELFT as well as complaints. 

It’s also a chance for us all to learn, whether we be service users, carers or NELFT staff.

• We invite people in to speak about support and classes held within Havering. 
• We have a different speaker each month. We have so far had talks from the Samaritans, carers hub, local area coordinators, social groups and pharmacists. We also take part in an activity including discussions about topics within NELFT. 
• We look at how we can help improve the service and listen to all ideas. 
• We are currently working on opening a crisis cafe within the borough to help people in crisis.

NELFT staff can also attend and learn about services outside of NELFT. The aim is for the forum to be a place for service users, carers and NELFT staff to come together and have open discussions and improve the service for the next generation.