A short introduction to the challenges and opportunities presented by NHS reform and the economic downturn for local charities, social enterprises and user led-groups working in mental health

2011 was a year of unprecedented change to the policies and practices in the world of health, social care and local authorities. These have not been cosmetic changes but deep revisions of the ways in which the NHS and local authorities regard mental health. These changes have arrived at the same time as the most protracted economic downturn for many years.

In these challenging times, small organisations need to know what has changed, how it has changed and what challenges and opportunities it promises for making things happen for people with mental health difficulties in 2012.

Mark Brown and David Floyd of Social Spider CIC, authors of Better Mental Health in a Bigger Society? (published by Mental Health Providers Forum in December 2011) will guide you through changes to the NHS and local authorities, the implications of The Health and Social Care Bill and the shift to localism, the possibilities and drawbacks of Big Society and the opportunities and challenges of delivering better mental health in a time of squeezed budgets.

Delivered as a three-hour seminar, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the implications of the current policy moment for small mental health organisations and examine new currents and possibilities for delivering mental health related services.

The seminar will assist small organisations in planning their responses to the changing landscape of the NHS and local authorities, and help them prepare for long-term and short term development.

Mark Brown edits the mental health magazine, One in Four.

David Floyd write the social enterprise blog, Beanbags and Bullsh!t.