About the Centre for Community Mental Health

The Centre for Community Mental Health works to improve services and life opportunities for people with severe and enduring mental health problems. The Centre concentrates on tackling social exclusion and the development of innovative approaches to service provision through training, education and research.

The Centre supports policy and service development for mental health services in the U.K. It is part of a network of international expertise in practice and service innovation. Client organisations include the West Midlands Regional Development Centre (formerly CSIP and National Institute for Mental Health for England), the Department of Health UK, the European Union and World Health Organisation.

Working with service users, carers and professionals
The Centre staff work with user and carer groups, listening to their experiences of mental illness and the services available to support them. These experiences form the basis of constructive partnerships between those who use services and those who provide. The partnership working facilitates the development of accessible, appropriate mental health services that promote social integration and reduce social exclusion.

Providing education and training
Seminars and workshops are available for professionals and other staff working in the mental health field to facilitate the development of best practice, successful organisations and social inclusion. Training events are also organised for service users and carers to develop appropriate life skills. The Centre also organises conferences around various themes that are open to all.