Open Mental Health Conference

Learn more about Somerset’s Open Mental Health Alliance

The Community Mental Health Framework (CMHF) is part of the NHS England Long Term Plan for Mental Health. As part of the CMHF, NHS England invited bids from Integrated Care Systems to receive funding for a programme of radical redesign of community mental health services. Somerset was an early implementer of this radical redesign and prompted the formation of the Open Mental Health VCSE Alliance in 2019.

Since 2020, the alliance has set out to transform the traditional model of care, creating a ‘no wrong door’ approach so that people’s needs are responded to regardless of where they come into contact with services, making the system more efficient and easier for people to navigate. A key principle of the approach has been to work with experts by experience to co-produce services which truly meet their needs.

We are working to change the culture and language associated with traditional mental health provision and believe that by working collaboratively in new and innovative ways we can support people together to achieve a better quality of life.

A day of Inspiration & Insight

This in-person event will be a blend of speakers, breakout rooms & panel discussions.

What to expect on the day:

• What is Open Mental Health (OMH) in Somerset
• Contracting and sub-contracting & legal issues
• Co-Production workshop
• Move away from CPA
• Recording & reporting
• Learning from the Open Mental Health Research Project
• Mental Health Ecosystems
• Panel sessions
• Opportunity to visit VCSE partner stands
• Engage in activities facilitated by OMH grant recipients

Speakers to include:

• Peter Lewis – Chief Executive at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
• Mark Winstanley – CEO at Rethink Mental Illness
• Juliet Lyon CBE – Independent Chair of the Open Mental Health VCSE Alliance

Lunchtime pop up stalls from OMH partners include:

Rethink Mental Illness
SASP (Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership)
SWEDA (Somerset & Wessex Eating Disorders Association)
Chard Watch
Second Step 
Spark Somerset

An inspirational art installation from: 

Edgar Phillips, Glass Artist  | OMH grants recipient

Venue & Lunch

The venue is home to the Somerset County Cricket Club with plentiful parking on site and is located a short walk away from the Taunton Railway Station.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.

“Open Mental Health has been a true partnership between Experts by Experience, Recovery Partners, the NHS, County Council and Voluntary and Community Sector Enterprises (VCSEs). Working at pace, during a pandemic, we have delivered an innovative offer that will make a real difference to people in Somerset. Somerset Foundation Trust and Somerset ICB are proud to be part of it”

Jane Yeandle, Service Director for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.