Watch the C&I Annual Members' Meeting 2023 | News

An Expert-by-Experience who witnessed his twin brother being fatally shot at the age of 19, described how the support he received from clinical and other staff at the North London Mental Health Partnership transformed his life. 

Jamal, was one of two Experts-by-Experience who were special guests at the C&I Annual Members' Meeting attended by staff and members of the public.  He is now  involved in co-production work where staff and service users work together to shape the care that is given to ensure it is appropriate and effective.

Jamal is on our Engagement Register, for people who have lived experience of our services and are willing to take part in workshops and other working groups to develop the Trust’s plans going forward, offering expert opinion.

A founder member of our Side-by-Side Network, Valerie, also spoke movingly about how members of service user networks had helped her and how, through that involvement, she gained support whilst also supporting others. She urged other people to come forward and join the Engagement Register so that they could add their voice to the coproduction process.

She said: “I’d encourage people to take part, particularly young people and those in under-represented groups. We are shaping a different NHS going forward. People should not feel that they can’t influence that future - clinical or patient, you can be part of this growing change.”

Another Expert-by-Experience, Jamal, told how he suffered trauma after seeing his twin brother shot and killed in Nigeria at the age of 19, and how he had been supported by Highgate Mental Health Centre, The Recovery College and the Arsenal in the Community football group, which is run in partnership with the Trust.

Jamal said: “The football sessions are not just a kickabout for me, they give me a focus as well. We do also have the support workers come and talk to us and advise us about wellness and diet. Also, we interact amongst ourselves, we all have mental health issues and we share things that we find difficult. Sometimes we get tickets to matches and the players come and talk to us – and that really uplifts us and gives us a sense of belonging.”

Increasing the number of people on our Engagement Register and involved in coproduction of our services is a priority for the Trust and this was also highlighted by the Chair, Peter Molyneux, our Chief Executive, Jinjer Kandola MBE, and Chief Nursing Officer, Amanda Pithouse, throughout the meeting.

In her presentation, our Chief Executive  also spoke about some of the many achievements during the year, including our new 78-bed hospital at Highgate, which is due to open in Spring next year, the Community Transformation Programme and the many changes to our crisis services, including a new pilot scheme where we are working with the police to help those who are at risk of being detained under the Mental Health Act. She also gave an update on the North London Mental Health Partnership; C&I and Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust are applying to NHS England to become a single organisation to benefit the communities across the five boroughs of North Central London.

Amanda Pithouse detailed many improvements in our services and our Chief Financial Officer, Samanthi Gibbens, who explained highlights of the Trust’s accounts.

More than 90 people joined the online meeting, including service users, carers, staff Governors, members of the Board, partners and members of the public.

You can see a recording of the meeting here.