Moves start to involve CBT users in the BABCP
A discussion has begun about how the BABCP can best involve the public and CBT users in the work of the Association.
President John Taylor recently chaired a preliminary meeting with four representatives of user organisations to discuss possible ways forward.
The aim was to hear their suggestions and enlist their help in mapping out a route for the BABCP to properly engage with the public and CBT users to better promote the work of the Association.
Amongst the specific issues discussed were the patchy provision of talking therapies nationwide, how to genuinely engage the public, the potential role of CBT users in decision-making and the accessibility of the information produced by the BABCP.
Attending the day-long meeting with John Taylor, Past President David Veale, Company Secretary Jenny Riggs and Communications Officer, Matthew Finnegan were:
- Alison Islin, from London, an active member of Barnet Voice, a support group for mental health patients which has developed the only user-led, run and managed weekend crisis house.
- Bill Davidson, a former headteacher from East Yorkshire, who has worked on a variety of mental health research projects and is now the user representative with a number of national bodies.
- Di Wright, Regional Manager for the Expert Patient Programme in Eastern England, which delivers and supports self-management courses for people with long-term conditions.
- And her colleague Pete Moore, who is Business Development Manager and has written extensively about pain management, developed a six-week course for patients and delivered education workshops for health care professionals in the UK and Europe.
The group were given presentations about the history and development of the BABCP, its activities, objectives and organisational structure.
They discussed potential models and approaches for public and user participation in the Association and how it could be adequately supported, both organisationally and financially, to make an effective contribution to the organisation's development.
John Taylor said: "It was an extremely useful discussion which has certainly helped us to think through the implications of public and user involvement in the BABCP more fundamentally.
"The panel made some valuable suggestions and came up with some great ideas, which we will now need to think very hard about.
"It is early days yet for this initiative, but this preliminary meeting has helped us to focus on what the major issues will be if we do try to open our doors more to CBT users and the general public.
"No doubt there will be some challenges involved for everyone, but we are convinced that as CBT becomes more widely available, it is right that we should try to engage and involve users more fully in the development of the BABCP and the promotion of CBT."