What is SUN? 

The Service User Network (SUN) is a new, open access, community-based, facilitated peer support service for adults experiencing difficulties with complex emotional needs often associated with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’.

SUN offers regular facilitated peer support groups where members are encouraged to both give and receive support. Once you have registered as a member, you can attend as many or as few groups as is helpful.

 

Who are SUN Groups for?

SUN groups are open to those with complex emotional needs, aged 18 years and over who are registered with a GP in Bedfordshire or Luton. SUN members do not need to have a formal diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ to access the service.

Those accessing SUN groups may typically experience a range of longstanding challenges including:

  • Difficulty managing intense emotions
  • Uncertainty about who you are and/or your direction in life
  • Lots of ups and downs in your relationships with others
  • Frequent feelings of emptiness and loneliness
  • Intense fear of abandonment
  • Impulsivity and self-destructive behaviours (e.g. enduring suicidal thoughts, self-harm, addiction, gambling etc.)

 

Group Structure

 

RASP (Resource and Support Plan)

To become a member you will need to complete a Resource and Support Plan (RASP) within your first few group sessions. The other group members will support you to do this.

 

A RASP includes identifying what overwhelms you, what is unhelpful in difficult times, and what helps you to cope. It emphasises your resources and coping strategies, helping you and the group to understand your needs and how best to support each other.

 

Where will my data be shared and stored?

This is not a clinical service and no clinical notes will be accessed or made. Membership forms, RASPs, and anonymised group minutes are stored on Mind BLMK systems. You will receive a copy of your own RASP. All members attending a session will receive anonymised minutes of that session.

 

How many people will attend?

For each online SUN group, attendance is limited to 9 members so that everyone can see each other on the screen. Face-to-face groups have no limit.

 

Only two RASP’s can be completed per session, meaning we may have to limit the number of new members attending at the same time.

 

Our group agreement 

We recommend that you read our full group agreement and expectations and responsibilities before attending a group. This will also be read out at the beginning of each group.

Please respect confidentiality at all times and if joining a group virtually, please ensure you join from a private space where others cannot hear or see your screen. Please stay for the whole session, and have your camera on in virtual groups. Please be respectful of others’ emotions and experiences.

 

How to join SUN groups

You can join SUN by completing a membership form on the Mind BLMK website; please find here.

 

Once you have completed your membership form, you will be sent a welcome email with details of how to attend group sessions and the timetable for groups. You will need to book onto your first session to complete a RASP.

 

We offer a mixture of face-to-face and online groups each week. You are welcome to attend as many as you would like.

 

If you would like to attend an online group, you will need to book by 3pm the day before the group (or on a Friday for a Monday group) so that we can send you a virtual meeting link.

We emphasise the importance of being on time so that all members can get the most out of each group.

 

To book, please check the SUN timetable and email [email protected]