Bridge is hosting a major and timely 30th anniversary conference showcasing the latest thinking in mental health and wellbeing in February.
Just one month after Prime Minister Theresa May announced a new government initiative to “transform” attitudes to mental health, Bridge will bring together health care experts, professionals and supporters for this key “What Works in Wellbeing” event at Devonport House, Greenwich on Thursday, 23rd February.
Bridge wants to share with other experts what really works in the support of people with mental health problems. And we have invited some of the UK’s leading researchers in the field, as well as a BAFTA winning mental health documentary maker to speak at the conference.
“Our clients’ wellbeing is at the heart of what we do and why we do it,” said Bridge Chief Executive Officer, Raymond Sheehy.
“Since 1987, Bridge has been driven by a deep passion to ensure our clients receive the best quality care and today we have become one of the biggest provider of mental health services in Greenwich.”
“On 23rd February, we are inviting people to join us as we share our experience, along with other experts, on what really works in supporting those with mental health problems become the best of themselves, and to discuss the future of mental health and wellbeing services.”
The Conference speakers will include author and former Times journalist Rachel Kelly who now campaigns on mental health issues. She will be joined by mental health campaigner Steve Gilbert; Emily Frith, Director of Mental Health at the influential Education Policy Institute, who ran the Equality for Mental Health campaign with Norman Lamb MP, Alastair Campbell and Andrew Mitchell MP, as well as being a policy adviser to then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Dr Antonis Kousoulis, who heads leading edge research at the Mental Health Foundation, is also among the speakers, along with Dr Sarah Fleche from Professor Richard Layard’s Wellbeing Programme at the London School of Economics. Completing the panel of speakers is BAFTA winning TV director Peter Beard, whose Channel Four series Bedlam and Kids on the Edge highlighted the issues facing those with mental health problems.
The government says one in four people has a mental disorder at some point in their life, with an annual cost of £105bn. Earlier this month the prime minister announced plans to “transform” attitudes to mental health, with a focus on children and young people. The new measures include additional mental health first aid training for teachers, an extra £15m for community care, and improved support in the workplace.
Bridge assists more than 1,000 people a year in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We work in partnership with NHS trusts, local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and social enterprises to ensure clients have the best chance of recovery. We assist those with mental health needs to gain more choice and independence in their lives and can signpost clients to their Recovery College Greenwich. The college has supported 1,000 students in educational development, and has its own wellbeing hub and café.
Mr Sheehy explained: “We empower our clients to fulfil their potential, giving them the right support at the right time until full independence is achieved. Our staff are carefully selected for their expertise and passion enabling us to provide a quality, life-changing service.”
The Bridge 30th Anniversary Conference is free to attend. To find out more and book a place, please contact Julie Leggatt at jleggatt@wlcreative.org.uk, call 020 8298 9677 or register below.