The moving forward forum brings together former patients who have previously been supported by Hope and Horizon inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, their parents, carers or guardians, staff from the ward, and management.

We meet every other month as a group to share ideas to improve and benefit the ward.

Meetings last for an hour and a half, in the Woodland retreat outside of Hope unit. You can also join online with camera off if you want.

There’s usually only three or four young people, a couple of parent carers, and three or four staff from Hope unit.

You will be paid for your time (£10 an hour) and you can also claim back fuel, bus or tram tickets if you come in person.

We have snacks and drinks, and we try to be creative. It’s your forum so it can be what you make it.

Get involved

Please get in touch if you are interested in getting involved or sharing your ideas and feedback: pcn-tr.hopeandhorizongroup@nhs.net

The forum works brilliantly for many different reasons:

  • Bringing back ex-patients so we can go off their first hand experiences to improve the wards further.
  • The ideas produced in the forum are listened to by management and they change things we suggest.
  • It includes a variety of people; staff, young people, family members/carers and managers.
  • All members of the moving forward forum are passionate, committed and want to make positive changes.
Some achievements from the forum:
  • Getting Netflix so young people on the ward can watch newer films and series and have a better selection. This can help people to socialize and spend more time out of their rooms.
  • Getting young people and families input on developing new services.
  • Ensured parents can visit their child’s bedroom, where appropriate.
  • Least restrictive practice- access to own mobile phones, real cutlery, kitchen area access.
  • Provided advice to new services and research groups.
  • A new garden area for Hope unit with more features
  • A sensory room for the ward
Address

Hope unit is based in Pennine House on the Fairfield hospital site:

Hope Unit, Pennine House, Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Old Road, Bury, BL9 7TD.

 

"Moving Forward is refreshing because ex-patients' views are really listened to"- Mollie Johnson, Moving Forward Forum member