In this series we will introduce our staff team so you can get a better idea of what we do and more importantly why we do it…
My name is Sophie Webb, and I am an Engagement Officer at the Greater Manchester branch of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN).
I joined IMHN alongside Niamh (our Co-production & Engagement manager) in July 2021. Due to my own lived experience of mental ill health and accessing services from a young age, I have always been passionate about the subject matter therefore I wanted to utilise my experiences to help others. It’s been exciting to be involved in the growth of the organisation and transformation of mental health support across Greater Manchester!
I am currently facilitating the lived experience input into the co-production of 2 new service models, one being a Maternal Mental Health Service Pilot, and the other being the Living Well model in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. It has been a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the development of these pieces of work whilst ensuring that the voices and experiences of those with lived experience are heard and supported throughout the process. Being able to work with lived experience representatives who are like-minded, passionate and truly a joy to work with is definitely a bonus of the role!
Being able to work on such innovative projects has allowed me to gain an abundance of knowledge which has enabled me to grow within my role very quickly. Coming into the organisation as an Engagement Co-ordinator allowed me to lay the foundations necessary to develop on the work that had already been done in Greater Manchester, whilst also finding my feet and learning the various structures in the area. I have enjoyed navigating my way around various conversations and meetings, ensuring that those with lived experience are at the forefront of the work and our organisational values are upheld throughout. I’m excited to be going into my new role of an Engagement Officer to continue to grow and learn whilst supporting other members of the organisation to excel in their roles also!
Reflecting on the progress that we have made within the past 8 months reassures me that the work we are doing is truly valued. I’m excited to see where the next year takes us as we continue to ensure that those with lived experience are involved and heard throughout the ongoing transformation of mental health support across Greater Manchester.
Published on March 21, 2022 at 11:07 am
