The North Tyneside Mental Health Alliance welcomed more than 50 attendees to its annual Networking Event, held in November at The Exchange in North Shields. Despite snowy weather conditions, the event brought together Alliance members, partners and stakeholders for a positive and engaging day focused on collaboration, learning and shared progress.
Strengthening Connections Across the Alliance
The event included a lively speed networking session, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with a range of Alliance members and learn more about the collective work taking place to support mental health and wellbeing across North Tyneside.
Attendees also heard updates on the Alliance’s achievements over the past year, highlighting the value of partnership working in responding to local mental health needs.
Learning From Lived Experience and Partnership Working
Karyn Ainsley from The Meadows Community Centre and Gardens delivered a powerful presentation on The Power of Collaboration, sharing how Alliance membership has supported joint working and strengthened local partnerships.
Peter Fielding followed with a moving talk titled A Voice That Matters, explaining how sharing his lived experience has helped shape understanding, reduce stigma and influence positive change.
Peer Support and Creative Approaches
After lunch, Kirsty Cunliffe from VODA spoke about Empowering Lives Through Peer Support, outlining the importance of peer-led approaches in improving mental health outcomes.
Sarah Lou Murray then provided an update on the Creative Expression in Eating Distress (CEED) project, showcasing how creative approaches are supporting people with lived experience of eating distress.
Looking Ahead: Identifying Gaps and Local Support
The afternoon included a roundtable discussion where attendees explored gaps in mental health services and shared ideas for future collaboration. The day concluded with a presentation on The Anchorage, North Tyneside’s Safe Haven, highlighting its vital role in supporting people experiencing mental health crisis and distress.
The event reinforced the strength of the North Tyneside Mental Health Alliance and its shared commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing for local communities through partnership, peer support and lived experience.
