What do our Service User Representatives do?

Our Service User Representatives are a group of service users who have been meeting monthly since February 2024 to discuss key topics within Sheffield Mind. During meetings our reps share personal stories and lived experiences to help us shape services and make changes within our organization. Within the meetings, Service User Reps make decisions about our social and community events - leading on their interests and using their expertise to assure all we do is suitable and accessible to all. By working alongside staff, these volunteers help ensure that services remain appropriate and authentic, while gaining experience that can support their personal and professional growth both within the charity and beyond. 

 

 

 

What changes have they made?

Since the project's beginning, our Service User Representatives have helped us learn an awful lot and they have immensely supported us in:

• Creating a Service User pack, which was designed to support those transitioning away from our services (which you can check out here).
• Informing, developing and delivering staff training.
• Designing and leading peer support sessions (like a Bring Your Own Crafts session).
• Informing changes to recruitment processes for staff and volunteers
• Designing and Co - facilitating our Open Minds Socials (which you can find more information about here)
• Informing and developing new services
• Designing and informing feedback methods

 

 

What’s to come?

The future goals within this project are to create a Service User newsletter, co-designing a Sheffield Mind podcast, co-designing new services and running more Rep-lead peer support sessions. 

We are looking forward to exploring and bringing these ideas to life as we head into 2026!

If you are Interested in joining our group please email: [email protected] or attend our next Open Minds on 31 October 10:30 - 12:30 at our Wellbeing Centre.