1. Vision Statement Through active engagement with service users, encourage and empower them to lead in the decision making and shaping of local Mental Health services and providing opportunities for service user peer support to enable them to become proactive in their own recovery. Tracey Chapman – Executive Director Catherine Button – Executive Director Carl Kroon – Non Executive Director Steve Goldsack – Non Executive Director

2. Medway Engagement Group and Network CIC (MEGAN), formerly known as the Mental Health Service User Engagement Project, has been in existence since August 2009 and was managed by CVS Medway until it became an independent Community Interest Company in April 2013.

3. MEGAN CIC aims to: Provide opportunities for mental health service users, past and present, to share their views and experiences of mental health issues and services and participate in local service planning and development Offer peer support through group attendance Raise awareness of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination Support people with mental health issues in their recovery

4. The Service currently runs groups in Medway, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley (DGS) and Swale and across the organisation we currently have 406 members with 5 Volunteers and 2 Paid Peer Support Workers and 1 Peer Ambassador facilitating the groups and representing MEGAN CIC at local meetings. MEGAN CIC also has an Advisory Committee who meet quarterly to oversee the strategic management of the organisation. The Committee is made up of local statutory, stakeholder and service user representatives.

5. The criteria for becoming a member is: The person must reside or access services in Medway, DGS or Swale Must have or have had a mental health issue Must be over the age of 18 years. People can self refer to the service by contacting for a Membership Pack or downloading from our website.

6. Forums Personality Disorder Peer Support Groups Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar Peer Support Groups Coffee & Chat Signposting & Support Social Groups Workshops / Consultations / Training Facebook Pages Fortis Project – Evening Coffee & Chat Fortis Project – Learner Forum Fortis Project – Creative Arts Session

7. Personality Disorder Peer Support Groups: These groups run for two hours and are facilitated by peers. The DGS Group is run every Thursday and the Swale Group is run every Tuesday. Service users can access the groups is they have a diagnosis or can identify with the traits of a Personality Disorder. Part of the meetings are used for Check In for members to offer peer support with part of the meeting for information sharing about topics of interest.

8. Feedback from Service Users about MEGAN CIC ‘It is no exaggeration to say that if I had not found the PD support group I sincerely doubt I would be still here today, writing this.’ ‘I haven’t self-harmed for several week, I have met some lovely friends. There is a lot of information given and if it wasn’t for this group I may not be here.’ ‘I have found the other members of the group to be supportive especially if I experience bad times. It’s a great group and it has saved my life.’

9. Any Questions?

10. Thank you for listening Tracey Chapman, Executive Director Catherine Button, Executive Director Tel: 01634 402077 Email: enquiries@megancic.org.ukenquiries@megancic.org.uk Website: www.megancic.org.ukwww.megancic.org.uk