Your service in 2011

Champions of Change are local people who, together, provide their views and opinions, helping to make recommendations about mental health services in Nottingham City.

Champions of Change is made up of:

• Network Champions
• Community Troupe Champions

Who can be a Network Champion? Somebody registered with a city GP and

• has experience of using mental health services in Nottingham, or
• is a carer or has been a carer of someone who uses or who has used mental health services, or
• has first hand experience of mental health issues/distress

Champions of Change also has group membership.Typically these groups are led by carers and people who use or who have used mental health services.

What do Network Champions do?

As a Network Champion you would be asked to give valuable feedback about your experiences and views and opinions on services. Each Champion has opportunities to change services for the better, including the Champions of Change service itself.

So that we can put forward the collective voices of the network, we will ask you about your views. this might be face to face, through the post or over the telephone.

You may be asked to take part in a discussion group, comment on a document and so on. Support will always be available for Champions to carry out their activities.

Who can be a Community Troupe Champion? You can join our champions of Change Community troupe if you are aged 16 or over and are

• interested in mental health carer issues and/or
• interested in informing and supporting others to put forward their views to services.

What does the Community Troupe do?

The Community Troupe works alongside Champions of Change staff in community settings to, for example:

• promote the service and inform local people about how they can have a say in services
• help out at stands at community events, meetings, markets, etc.

Other volunteers work behind the scenes to, for example:

• find out more about mental health services in Nottingham
• find out more about how to influence services
• prepare and plan events and activities

Whats in it for me?

• Satisfaction in knowing you are helping to shape services for the better
• Support with getting your voice heard or helping others to get their voice heard
• Meet new people
• Have fun
• Learn new skills and develop existing skills
• Gain confidence
• Free training
• Out of pocket expenses

How do i become a Champion of Change?

First of all you need to register your interest with a Support Champion who will arrange a convenient time and place to ,meet with you.

A relevant person from Bright Ideas will talk you through the Champions of Change service in more detail. They will then discuss with you how you would like to be involved and answer any questions you have.

If you decide to join Champions of Change a member of staff will welcome you and help you register your full interest by completing a brief joining form. During this time you and the member of staff will discuss any support and training needs you may have.

So who do i ask to talk to

Lisa or Simon- Support Champions

Kathleen- Network Coordinator

lisaj@brightideasnottingham.co.uk   simon@brightideasnottingham.co.uk   kathleen@brightideasnottingham.co.uk

If you wish to join Champions of Change, you can also contact us on the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/ChampionsForChange) or ring the Champions of Change Project at Bright Ideas on 0115 8379474.

Below is a short animation made to begin showing what Champions of Change is all about.