Self Help, came up trumps in the Spirit of Manchester 2016 Awards, scooping the Best service user involving organisation award– voted for by the audience at the ceremony.

The Spirit of Manchester Awards is a series of awards celebrating and highlighting all the excellent work being carried out in Manchester’s voluntary and community sector.

As a user-led organisation, many of our staff and volunteers have personal experience of mental health difficulties. This is what makes our charity so unique. This year, 58% of new staff, 65% of new volunteers and 100% of new facilitators weemployed have personal experience of mental health difficulties.

Chief Officer of Self Help, Nicky Lidbetter, said:

“I am thrilled and proud that Self Help’s volunteers and community service team have received the recognition they richly deserve in winning this prestigious award.

“Service user involvement is the foundation for all that we do to support people living with mental health difficulties.

“Most of our staff and volunteers have had personal or lived experience of these difficulties giving them a unique insight into the needs of people coping with anxiety, depression, phobias, panic attacks and may other mental health issues.

“As well as providing many volunteering roles, service-users shape our organisation through their involvement in a range of regular forums, groups and workshops.

“We truly value the contribution people with lived experience of mental health difficulties bring. It’s their commitment that makes our charity so unique!”

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