Tell your story
What are they used for?
Patient and carer stories help us to understand how we can make things better and what matters to you. They also help us make sure that services are person centered and support and treatment is build around the persons needs.


Who can help you tell the story?
A member of the Service Experience Desk can help you tell your story in a way that you are comfortable with. They will arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss how this can best be done.


What sort of things do I need to include?
It’s your story, you own it so you can go into as much or as little detail as you like. We may well ask questions to make sure we fully understand your experience so that we get the details right. It is always beneficial to hear about how your journey made you feel at different points, what was important to you at different stages and then to hear about the good and the bad. What was good? What needs changing? Where are you now in your recovery journey? What do you need going forward? Once your story is complete we will make sure you are happy with the final version before it goes elsewhere.

Where will it go?
Stories are shared with our senior leaders within the Trust including the Trust Board. This is so that those responsible for large scale changes in services can hear about how decisions affect people. With your permission it’ll also be shared with staff at all levels to identify improvements, make changes where needed or share positive messages.

Apply to be an Expert by Experience (EBE)
What is an EBE?
An EBE is a volunteering role and those appointed use their experiences of mental health services – as a service user or a carer of someone experiencing mental health difficulties – to influence the delivery and quality of services we provide. They also help represent the interests and views of other local service users and carers, and promote others to get involved.


What does an EBE do?
Here are some of the activities you will have the opportunity to get involved with;

  • Build links with local service user & carer, community and voluntary groups to help join people and services together
  • Support other service users and carers at mental health forums and events out in the community
  • Participate in focus groups on the development of policies, strategies and improvement plans
  • Review patient leaflets and posters
  • Attend strategic meetings e.g. Trust Board
  • Participate in the recruitment process for new staff
  • Promote opportunities to get involved in your local area and across the Black Country
  • Undertake training opportunities, alongside staff, that are offered within the Trust e.g. equality & diversity, safeguarding.
  • Help to ensure the patient/carers voice is heard when improving services

What is it like to be an EBE?
“I became an EBE a while back to help improve services for the future, as I had a bad experience as a carer. I don’t want others to have the same bad experience that I did. It is also time for me to give back to my community and help others.”


“Being an EBE is full of variety! I enjoy working with people and providing them with a voice so that they can have a better experience when using services.”

How can I apply to be an EBE?
If you wish to be considered as an EBE, you can request an application form from SED.BCHFT@nhs.net or call 0800 587 7720.


Your EBE involvement will vary based around your current commitments. Activities will be based on your availability and the amount of time you are able to commit to the role.


Have your say—become a member today!
Who can become a member?

Anyone that is 12 years old or over and lives in either Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Birmingham and the Wider West Midlands or the Rest of England can register as a member. If you are 16 years old or over and registered as a member, you will also be eligible to apply to become a governor during our governor elections.


Why become a member?
You will be keep up-to-date with what is happening in our Trust and ways you can get involved, have the opportunity to have your say and receive invites to various events.


How do you register?
Registering as a member is free and easy to do. All you need to do is complete our online membership application form at:
https://secure.membra.co.uk/BlackCountry
HealthcareApplicationForm/

Get in touch with us
Tel: 0121 612 8061
Email: bchft.membership@nhs.net