Who we are
About us
Our friendly, welcoming & compassionate network first became active in 2019 and has steadily grown ever since.
Working together, we want to make Southampton a mental health friendly city, ensuring equality, diversity & inclusion for all.
Our network is supported by Southampton City Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group’s Integrated Commissioning Unit.
Our mission
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Improve attitudes, understanding and education around mental health in our city.
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Boost wellbeing & resilience.
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Be understanding and supportive of mental ill-health.
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Create welcoming and collaborative spaces for discussion.
Our members
Our network is steadily growing, and we're building partnerships with organisations right across the city of Southampton, as well as the wider UK:
Ways to get involved
Our membership includes:
There are many ways to get involved with the Network.
From attending main group meetings and networking events, to getting involved with fundraising, communications and events.
We also have two subgroups dedicated specifically to people with lived experience (SMILE) and friends, families, carers subgroups. Find out more about these below. You do not have to be a member to be a part of these subgroups. If you want to get involved, contact us at: smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk
Southampton Mental Illness Lived Experience (SMILE)
SMILE is a network that sits under the umbrella of Southampton Mental Health Network.
SMILE is not a crisis group but member organisations can provide support to one another.
Objectives of SMILE
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To tackle stigma and embrace diversity.
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To contribute towards making Southampton a more mental health friendly city.
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To raise awareness of mental health issues, draw on and improve people’s experiences of using services.
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To work in partnership with member organisations of Southampton Mental Health Network to improve services.
How does it work?
Meetings are hosted regularly and can be face to face or over Zoom.
Sign up to SMILE
✉️ smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk
Family, Friends and Carers Group
FFC aims to create a space where people who are family, friends and carers of those with lived experience of mental illness can use their knowledge to help shape opportunities for mental health support in the future.
The group will play a leading role in shaping a mental health friendly culture across the City of Southampton by sharing their perspective with those in a position to engineer change.
Our vision
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Give a voice to family, friends and carers of those who have experienced or are experiencing mental illness.
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Enable them to contribute to making Southampton a mental health friendly city.
How does it work?
We aim to meet on Zoom every 4-6 weeks. The group is not a support group, as such. It is more a platform for family, friends and carers to share information and experiences.
Our perspective will be included in informing and fostering a more mental health friendly Southampton.
Want to get involved?
✉️ smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk
Join us!
SMHN aims to create welcoming spaces for discussion, be understanding and supportive of those living with mental ill-health, boost wellbeing and resilience and improve attitudes, awareness and education in the city.
Within the network, there is the opportunity to connect with other organisations and individuals within Southampton to collaborate on projects and find out what's already going on in the city, and receive a weekly newsletter where our members contribute their information - this often includes courses, surveys, job vacancies, events, programmes, service updates and more!
Our New Members meetings, Main Group (all members) and networking events are particularly useful to make contacts and raise awareness about opportunities to work together.
We charge £2 per year for membership, and this runs from April to March the following year. You can find our BACs details on the membership form.
If you'd like to sign up, simply or click the button below.
Join us!Contact us
We would love to hear from you!
Reach us on:
- ✉️ smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk
- ☎️ 02382 50 00 50
Follow us on social media:
Want to stay up to date with what's going on? Join our weekly mailing list!