Story: Lisa Swift
Campaigning mental health group, Maat Probe Group, were recognised by Downing Street in March, with an invitation to London to meet Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Maat Probe is a user-led group supported by SACMHA (Sheffield African-Caribbean Mental Health Association) based on Andover Street. They successfully fought for a new approach to the way people with mental illnesses are treated in hospital. Hospitals in Sheffield now use an approach called ‘RESPECT’ which minimises the need to physically restrain patients.
This is a massive change and members of the group have been involved in the recruitment process that trained the first 12 people. Almost 300 staff are now trained in using ‘RESPECT’ in Sheffield. It has been adopted fully by Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust and will be rolled out across the Trust. Work has also started with the Universities and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, which train future nurses.
Members of Maat Probe are now looking to empower other people by setting up a multicultural service users group. They also want to see a review of recovery policy in Sheffield so that service users can get a recovery action plan that reflects their cultural needs.
Robin Cox, communication officer for Maat Probe, told the Messenger,
“It was good to have our work recognised by Downing Street. We deserve that recognition. It was a lot of heavy security and posh food, but we rose to the occasion!”
Maat Probe can now offer workshops on service user-led research and influencing policy. To find out more, contact Otis Hinds at SACMHA on 272 6393.
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