Links
Here are some links to relevant local and national organisations, government departments and projects.
Go to the members section for links to our members' websites.
Information for Mental Health
For further information and links, we recommend the Information for Mental Health website, which is a comprehensive directory of mental health services in Leeds and beyond, covering the voluntary, community and statutory sectors. It includes a searchable database, with contact details and links for a huge range of organisations, campaigning groups, service providers, publications and websites.
The site has a series of video clips of information about mental health in British Sign Language.
infostore
The infostore is a website of information for older people in Leeds. It aims to provide accurate, up-to-date
information for older people, their carers, friends, family
and relevant professionals. It is one of the key ways of
delivering the information aspiration of Older Better, a
strategy to promote a healthy and active life for older
people in Leeds 2006-2011.
The infostore is a partnership between Leeds City Council,
Leeds Older People’s Forum and Leeds Primary Care
Trust. It has been funded by LinkAge Plus.
Leeds voluntary sector: general
Voluntary Action-Leeds
Voluntary Action-Leeds (VA-L) is the local council for voluntary service. They provide direct support, services and specialist advice to hundreds of voluntary and community groups, enabling them to carry out their work across Leeds. Their website has lots of useful information for the voluntary sector, including links to funding bodies. You can download their Directory of Voluntary and Community Groups in Leeds from the website.
Leeds Voice
Leeds Voice exists to strengthen and represent the voluntary, community and faith sector throughout the Leeds district.
Compact for Leeds
The Compact for Leeds is an agreement between the partners in
Leeds Initiative and the voluntary sector which sets out principles for working together.
Voluntary sector forums and networks
Volition works closely with the other voluntary sector forums in the city:
- Leeds Older People's Forum
- Leeds Voluntary Sector Leaning Disabilities Forum
- Physical and Sensory Impairment Network
Volition is one of a number of "infrastructure organisations" in the city, providing support to voluntary sector services. We come together as
Leeds Infrastructure Consortium, a network which is coordinated by
Voluntary Action-Leeds.
Leeds statutory sector
Leeds City Council
Includes sections on health and social care, community and living, advice and benefits, and housing.
NHS in Leeds
A local site gives links to NHS organisations in the city.
Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust
Previously Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust. Provides mental health and learning disability services throughout Leeds.
Leeds Primary Care Trust
Works to make sure the people of Leeds have access to the health services they need, as well as providing a range of community-based health services.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Hospital services in Leeds.
National mental health voluntary sector
Mental Health Providers' Forum
The national Mental Health Providers Forum brings together voluntary sector service providers to improve services for people with mental health needs. They aim to influence national and regional mental health strategies and share information and experience among their member organisations.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
A professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, the website has information on training and events for therapists, a members' area, plus a site where you can find a therapist in your area.
Regional and national statutory sector
Department of Health
Provides health and social care policy, guidance and publications.
The website has a section on mental health. This contains information on mental health law (including the Mental Health Act 1983 and plans to amend it); the National Service Framework for mental health; Delivering Race Equality; and a range of publications.
The Care Services Improvement Partnership: CSIP
CSIP works with health, local government, public, voluntary and private sectors to improve services and the health and wellbeing of people in England. The website tells you more about their work and how they are organised.
CSIP's regional development centre covering the north east, Yorkshire and Humberside incorporates information from the former National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) website.
NHS
The gateway to National Health Services in England. The website includes a directory, information on health and links to different parts of the NHS.
Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority
The regional headquarters for the NHS. They provide strategic leadership for the NHS, rather than providing services or managing organisations.
Healthcare Commission
The independent inspection body for both the NHS and independent healthcare. The commission assesses services and encourages improvements.
Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)
CSCI inspect and report on care services and local authorities to improve social care and stamp out bad practice. You can search for a care home or care service on their website.
Mental Health Act Commission
This body reviews the implementation of the Mental Health Act 1983, as it relates to patients who are detained or liable to be detained. Their website includes their response to the government's proposed Mental Health Bill.
Social Exclusion Task Force
Part of the government's Cabinet Office, this team works on tackling deep seated disadvantage, focusing on particular groups, including people with mental health problems. Their website contains their research and reports.
Dept for Communities and Local Government
This government department works to build prosperous and cohesive communities, offering a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Supporting People
Supporting People is a government programme to enable vulnerable people to live more independently and maintain their housing tenancies. It is delivered through partnership with local government, people who use services and support agencies, including voluntary sector organisations. The website includes a directory of Supporting People services available in England.
Department for Work and Pensions
This website has information on services and benefits for people who are looking for work, as well as areas for advisers and employers.
Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body set up by the Government to stop discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.
National mental health promotion sites
Mentality
Mentality is a national charity dedicated to the promotion of mental health.
Shift
Shift is part of the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) and aims to tackle stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health issues.
National research and development organisations
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
A social policy research and development charity seeking to better understand the causes of social difficulties and explore ways of overcoming them. All of the research summaries and most of the full reports are free-to-download.
King's Fund
An independent charitable foundation working for better health, including policy development, research, service improvement.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation provides information, carries out research and campaigns around mental health and learning disabilities.
Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
Works to improve the quality of life for people with mental health problems by influencing policy and practice in mental health services. They do this through project work, research, publications and events.