I was really pleased to be invited to join a Time to Change reception held at Admiralty Arch in Whitehall earlier this week which was an opportunity being taken to thank everyone who has been part of the movement against mental health discrimination over the last four years.
Well over a hundred people were there from many different organisations and groups and it was a lovely occasion to meet up with people I've had the privilege of working alongside over the years and also meet new contacts. Once I'd finally navigated the security to get into Admiralty Arch and had deposited my phone at reception as per the rules, the event started with drinks and canapés and much mingling and networking. 3/4 hour in Nick Clegg, The Deputy Prime Minister arrived and was escorted to the front to address us and demonstrate the Government's support for the second phase of this programme. (The Department for Health and Comic Relief have provided funding until 2015). He was natural, fluent and I felt had a deep understanding and was very genuine about the issues faced by those with mental health problems in today's society. In particular he emphasised the need for more to be done to help and support young people in future. He was followed by Peter Wanless the Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund, Bryony Bratchell a young Champion, Peter Bennett-Jones, Chairman of Comic Relief, Paul Burstow, MP and Minister of State for Care Survives and Nikki Llewellyn a Time to Change champion. All spoke with passion, sincerity and enthusiasm and Bryony and Nikki were especially moving to listen to. The press were there taking photos and all in all it was a lovely occasion. Sue Baker, the Director of Time to Change who some of you will have met and heard at some of our won internal events hosted the session and did so very, very well.
Time to Change started in 2007 and until last October was funded from the Big Lottery Fund to the tune of £16m and from Comic Relief to the tune of £4.5m and with the help of this funding there has been great progress made across the UK in changing public attitudes and behaviours towards those with mental health problems. Together with Nick Yeo when he was the CEO here, we signed our organisation up to be a part of this mass movement aimed at delivering social change and I have been really proud and privileged to have been a part for some of the wonderful work that many across the organisation have supported and been involved with. Although I will shortly be leaving the Trust I do look forward to seeing the Trust continue to play a major part in this national programme over the next 4 years in continuing to overturn decades of prejudice against those with mental health.
And my lasting memories of Nick Clegg...............he looks so young!!!!!!!!!
By Carol Bode, Southern Health Chair
