Performance art project based on survey findings of Redbridge residents views and experiences of local mental health services

Healthwatch Hear My Voice was a 6 week performance art based project for local residents with lived experience of mental ill health, either as service users, service providers or carers/support workers. The results of a survey of local residents views and experiences of Redbridge mental health services was used as a basis for some end of project sketches which were performed entirely by the project participants.

The majority of survey respondents and project participants appear to be mostly satisfied with the local mental health services provided, although long waiting times for access to talking therapy services is a prevalent concern. There is also concern expressed about the quality/skills training of therapists and first point of contact personnel. Other areas for improvement noted are the need for increased availability of, and better signposting to, a greater variety of therapeutic, social activities, not only for long term service users to improve quality of life and help prevent relapse, but as a preventative measure that could be tried before the prescribing of medication in some mild to moderate cases.