Collective knowledge. Collective change.

 

About the event 

The Wales Mental Health Leadership Exchange is a unique opportunity, bringing together leaders from a number of sectors, to shape the future direction of mental health services in Wales. Leaders in a range of roles, and across a diverse network of stakeholders, will play an important role in driving change. The NHS Wales Executive is committed to fostering a collaborative and unified approach to the transformation of mental health services. 

Diversity of involvement, from leaders representing lived-experience, health, social care, the Third Sector, education and more, is fundamental in building collective commitment that will drive sustainable change and help realise the ambitions due to be set out in the All Age Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-34, notably vision four: 

 

 

The event is a first of its kind in Wales and a valuable opportunity for you to: 

• Shape the future direction of mental health services 

• Showcase evidence informed practice and learn from international experts 

• Strengthen partnerships and create new connections 

• Share the value of lived experience and co-production in service planning 

• Support professional development and knowledge sharing 

  

“Having been fortunate enough to attend the Global Leadership Exchange in 2024, a group of colleagues and I experienced first-hand how events like this can offer rich opportunities to connect mental health leaders and showcase evidence informed practice in a way that creates a lasting impact. I’m really excited that the NHS Wales Executive will be hosting its first ever Wales Mental Health Leadership Exchange this year. The event will be key in fostering greater collaboration to enhance services in a needs led way that is underpinned by a dynamic and sustainable workforce.” 

Ciara Rogers, National Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity, NHS Wales Executive. 

 

Recovery-based system approaches 

Insights from other countries around the world have demonstrated success in transforming mental health systems from traditional tiered models of care to recovery-based system approaches. The content of the Wales Mental Health Leadership Exchange has been designed around three core themes have underpinned the transformation: 

• Theme 1: Transforming the community mental health system including: 

  • Open access care 

  • Person-centred, recovery oriented, trauma informed practice 

  • Place based, connected community services 

• Theme 2: Redefining the mental health workforce 

• Theme 3: The systematic implementation of PROMs/PREMs in mental health services to support and demonstrate person-centred care 

The content of the event will be fundamental in developing the right conditions for seamless mental health services in Wales, that are person centred, needs led, where people are guided to the right support first time, and without delay (Vision Statement 4 of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wales). 

 

Who is the event for?

The event is designed for leaders representing lived-experience, health, social care, the Third Sector, education and more. Attendees should have the ability to inspire, influence and action change at a local level. A limited number of places are available, and nominations will be sought from organisations.

 

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Knowledge exchanges

March 2025, online and various sites

A series of knowledge exchanges on specific topics will take place online and at various sites across Wales. Each knowledge exchange will be hosted by a team or organisation. As part of the knowledge exchanges, participants will share expertise, information and insights between individuals and organisations to foster greater collaboration, learning and innovation.

Sharing knowledge will stimulate ideas and solutions that can be applied in national and local contexts. Knowledge exchanges around the world have resulted in excellent growth of partnerships that have driven significant improvements in the quality and safety of healthcare.

The opportunity attend knowledge exchanges has now closed.

 

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Conference

Thursday 3 to Friday 4 April, Aberystwyth University

Insights from all of the knowledge exchanges will be presented at the residential conference at Aberystwyth University. The conference will be a chance to shape the future direction of services, including workshops, keynote speeches, showcases on evidence informed practice and networking opportunities.

The conference will take place over two full days with an optional opening reception on the evening prior. The knowledge exchanges and conference are free to attend but expenses will need to be agreed and covered by individual organisations.

Find out about our event speakers.

 

Knowledge Showcase – poster gallery

We are offering an opportunity to showcase evidence informed practice around person-centred and needs led improvements in mental health in Wales as part of a poster gallery at the conference.

The opportunity to submit posters has now closed.