I Contribute Too! 0123

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Introduction

By Catherine Ingram (Chief Executive - Derbyshire Voice)

It has been a great pleasure to work in conjunction with The Department of Work and
Pensions to produce this booklet. I know of no other organisation that strikes more
dread into the hearts of mental health service users, that triggers them more than their
families or that scares them more than psychiatrists. I believe that fears need to be
faced so it was important to me that Derbyshire Voice embraced the opportunity to
work in partnership and break down some of the barriers. I think we did that!

I am passionate about providing opportunities for people who have received services
to be in involved in all aspects of service design and delivery. The thing I was late to
realise was that not only can they influence how future services will be provided; they
are also engaged in a meaningful activity that has a multitude of other benefits to their
mental health. People are out of bed, their minds are off their problems, they feel part
of society, they have status, they have confidence and they belong to something they
believe in.

I hope you will listen and hear what they say..........

I would like to thank Sharon Bamford from Job Centre Plus for her sincere passion,
interest and commitment to this project and Community 10,000 for enabling and
supporting us in our work.

“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one”

Oscar Wilde