Bee Heard YP Mental Health Forum Greater Manchester
Established in 2020, Bee Heard works in partnership with the Community and Crisis Mental Health Boards. The aim is to give young people aged 16-24, from across Greater Manchester an opportunity to shape and advise on a wide range of mental health services.
Young people from Bee Heard meet monthly to discuss topics such as commissioning, Mental Health in Schools, CAMHS, crisis pathways and other key issues relating to youth mental health. Practitioners from the relevant mental health services are invited to meetings by the young people and together examine how services can better support young people across Greater Manchester.
The project is underpinned by the Lundy Model of participation which is a framework that ensures young people have space, voice, audience and influence - to ensure that their voices are given due weight, and in turn, create change within the mental health services for other young people. The model is also used as a method of evaluation.
The impact (including cost savings/income generated if applicable):
Bee Heard undertook a developmental journey through their time on the project. Young people have said how they feel more open to discussing their own mental health both with their peers and also with youth workers or trusted adults in their lives. They have found a sense of community which has enabled them to feel more confident in building relationships.
“When I first heard about Bee Heard, I asked to sign up instantly. I was over the moon to have found something that could shape the mental health world while being accessible to everyone. At first, it was just about how to improve the mental health space; however, over time, I realised the meeting was also shaping our own mental health for the better! It helped me make new friends, open up more, and learn to communicate with others in a healthy way. There was no way to feel unwelcome at each meeting; there was always a seat available. Overall, Bee Heard helped me improve myself mentally, which has allowed me to tackle many projects since starting. A real positive experience.” Bee Heard Member
‘When I heard that I could be part of Bee Heard, I wanted to be involved. I was so excited to meet everyone and see what we can help and how we can improve mental health. Bee Heard has helped me grow and develop. I recently co-chaired a meeting and I would have never been able to do that if this group wasn’t so supportive. Each time I attend the group I feel more comfortable and welcomed, this helped me achieve targets I set myself for each session.’ Bee Heard Member
The group has had opportunities to meet with a variety of stakeholders from across the Greater Manchester mental health sector.
How is the new approach being sustained?:
Bee Heard has been recommissioned for a further 2 years to strengthen the relationships with the systemic leads and mental health boards in Greater Manchester has enabled young people’s input into senior levels of health structures, thus enabling young people to both challenge and advise on thematic areas.
Lessons learned:
The group has had the opportunity to work with a variety of different practitioners across the Greater Manchester mental health sector. Working on Tier 4 and Crisis, CAMHS and CEDs (Community Eating Disorders.)
Young people have explored topics such as All Age Mental Health, 999/111 Mental Health Triage Services and Mental Health in Schools.
Young people have explored topics such as All Age Mental Health, 999/111 Mental Health Triage Services and Mental Health in Schools.
Young people have advised how crisis teams can best respond to young people in an emergency and their suggestions for process improvement have been passed onto crisis team service managers in Greater Manchester. This will help to support service improvement in this part of the local mental health sector.
Young people have helped to influence the Crisis Care Pathway, including giving feedback on how the service can create better drop-ins for young people away from A&E.
There have been useful feedback loops created so that young people know and understand what is possible to change, what can and can’t be achieved and why.
Contact: Stuart Dunne
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