On Monday 17th November Sarah Bentley, Chair of the CMHC committee, travelled to London to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Child and Young Peoples Mental Health Coalition, held at the DLA Piper headquarters near the Barbican.
The keynote speaker was Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s Health and Mental Health. It’s Baroness Merron who has replied to some of our PTUK registrants when their MP has written to the government on their behalf, and so Sarah was VERY keen to meet her at this event.
In preparation Sarah had prepared a pack especially for the Baroness, it included
- A letter of introduction,
- The latest published Fortuna research figure
- “Pioneering Early, Effective and Expert therapeutic support for children since 2000, sponsors of the Child Mental Health Charter” document
- The suggested question for PMQs and
- The suggested amendment to the long title of the Children’s Schools and Wellbeing bill.
Sarah was able to give this pack directly in to the Baroness’ hand, who asked Sarah name and who she represented. Sarah and the committee really hope this will be the beginning of the process to call a meeting with her to raise their concerns in particular registering the title Play Therapist.
Sarah was also fortunate to be able to listen to concerns from young people on ‘the panel’ and this was also a very powerful section to the day.
It was indeed a great day, celebrating the collaboration of professionals that are the Children and Young People Mental Health Coalition of which the CMHC supported by PTUK, is a member.
#together we are stronger we really, really are.
