People who have used or are still using mental health services.

The workshops will take account of the specific needs of each person attending the programme but will include opportunities to:

• learn about the history of the mental health service user movement; nationally and internationally
• assess and develop consultancy and leadership skills in providing a service user perspective in service development and education for mental health practice
• explore the difference between consultancy, leadership and activisim
• learn how to set up consultancy/leadership so that individual and collective interests are protected.
• explore ways of using leadership and consultancy  to communicate the service users perspective particularly in challenging  abuse, sexism and racism .
• share strategies for surviving and managing conflict
• share views and experiences about the financial side of consultancy work
• explore  strategies to strengthen user involvement in quality monitoring of mental health services.

Powerful Voices is a mental health service user leadership programme based upon the Consultancy Development Programme. The Course is designed to offer mental health service users the opportunity to take an active part in promoting  the mental health service user movement and in bringing  the voice of people who use services into every aspect of service development and training.  Many people who have completed similar programmes in the UK now occupy leadership positions in local mental health service user groups.  For some people the programme has led to paid work as service user consultants.

Two trainers with knowledge and expertise in education and training who have experience of, or are involved in the mental health service user movement.