Network for Change Information

Network For Change is a local voluntary sector organisation providing Supported Housing, Community Outreach and Resource Centre activities designed to meet the needs of adults whose mental health problems have impacted significantly on their quality of life. Our values and working practice focus on Recovery and person-centred approaches to enable wellbeing and potential.Recovery values and practice are the driving force which underpins all aspects of service delivery at Network for Change. Within a mental health context Recovery is not limited to clinical recovery i.e. being permanently symptom-free, but offers a dynamic new vision for services which offers real hope to everyone. The Recovery movement originated with the experiences of service users themselves and recognition that their expertise rather than professional interventions could best inform ways of achieving and maintaining ‘wellness'. Individual's narratives or life stories frequently tell of how their mental health problems have been triggered by adverse life experiences or trauma and how they have overcome these to get their lives ‘back on track'. People who find themselves labelled ‘mentally ill' frequently face stigma and discrimination and feel helpless and hopeless about their lives. Recovery approaches can be inspirational in providing opportunity for people who have ‘been there, done that' and moved on with their lives to support and share ideas and coping strategies with others.