Bringing together VCSE organisations, statutory partners and lived experience to strengthen mental health collaboration.

The Buckinghamshire VCSE Mental Health Summit will bring together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, statutory partners and people with lived experience to strengthen understanding, relationships and collaboration across the local mental health system.

The two-day summit is being organised by the Buckinghamshire VCSE Mental Health Coalition Working Group. It builds on the priorities and shared purpose agreed at the October 2025 co-creation day and will provide space for learning, networking, service mapping and identifying gaps in provision.

Please note this is the booking form for day 2 of the summit - book your space for day 1 of the summit here (https://Please note this is the booking form for day 2 of the summit - you can book for day 1 using this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buckinghamshire-vcse-mental-health-summit-autumn-2026-tickets-1994816314295?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true)

Aims

Improve shared understanding of statutory mental health pathways and the patient journey in Buckinghamshire.

Showcase VCSE mental health provision and the contribution of local organisations.

Create opportunities for VCSE and statutory partners to learn from each other and build stronger working relationships.

Embed lived experience voice throughout both days to inform learning and future collaboration.

Summit format

Across the two days, keynote speakers will help frame the discussions: Nick Broughton on Day 1 and Alex Staniforth, founder of Mind Over Mountains, on Day 2. Both days will also include contributions from people with lived experience.

Day 1 will focus on statutory mental health pathways. Leaders from key services, including the Adult Mental Health Gateway, Primary Care Mental Health Hubs, Bucks Talking Therapies and Mental Health Practitioners, will be invited to present their pathways and patient journeys. VCSE partners will attend to learn, ask questions and contribute to mapping these pathways.

Day 2 will focus on VCSE mental health provision. VCSE leaders will be invited to present their organisations’ provision across Buckinghamshire. Statutory partners will attend to better understand the breadth of local VCSE support and how it connects with formal pathways.

Intended outcomes

A clearer shared map of statutory mental health pathways and VCSE mental health provision in Buckinghamshire.

Improved awareness of how people move through services and where VCSE support can add value.

Identification of gaps, duplication and opportunities for stronger collaboration.

Strengthened relationships between VCSE organisations, statutory services and people with lived experience.

A shared foundation for future coalition priorities, partnership work and system-wide improvements.

Please note the summit takes places over two dates in two venues, both are accessible venues with wheelchair access, accessible toilets and a hearing loop.

Day 1: Tuesday 20 October, St Mary’s Church, Wendover

Day 2: Tuesday 10 November, The Brushwood Suite, Princes Risborough.

Description supplied by the event organiser.