Update from Wirral Mind on the Cheshire and Merseyside Lived Experience Network

I am excited to share with you an update of the Cheshire and Merseyside Lived Experience Network (LEN) for Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention. The LEN was launched on Monday 15th February and to date we have had a fantastic response across the region.

Since launch, we have recruited 33 members with lived experience, all of whom are incredibly passionate about using their experiences to help others, make a difference and shape services going forward.

Since the last update, we have hosted two monthly Online Huddles where LEN members met online to connect and share ideas. We are continuing to run Online Huddles on the third Wednesday of each month and are hoping to move to face-to-face meetings once the lockdown restrictions have been eased further.

Over April and May, we also ran two LEN Training Programs which each consisted of four sessions:

  1. Introduction and Overview.
  2. Communication Skills and Confidence Building.
  3. Your Contribution.
  4. Online NO MORE Suicide Community Training.

The sessions were very well received, and we will be running additional training sessions in the near future.

To date, LEN members have been involved with three workstream opportunities. The first was a project for the Children & Young People Mental Health Team who asked for member feedback on a Self-harm Safe Kit which they are developing. The second piece of work used the expertise of the LEN to critique a National Crisis Resource Leaflet which is being adapted by Halton Borough Council for local use. The final opportunity came from Grassroots, who are a leader in UK suicide prevention, to help with the development of their mobile and web-based app, StayAlive.

The input of the LEN has been invaluable, and members are keen to get involved with more workstream opportunities as and when they arise.

If you have any queries or would like further information about the LEN, please contact Wirral Mind on 0151 512 2200 or email [email protected].

Best wishes,
Rachel and Paul
Lived Experience Network Team