Mental Health Forum – February 2026
Evolving Together: From Forum to Collective Action
Date: 25th February 2026
Time: 2.00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: Gordon Memorial Hall, Castle Douglas, DG7 1EX, United Kingdom
Following the success of the Mental Health Forum to date. We’ll be coming together to consider how the Forum can continue to develop as a shared space for ideas and a genuine cross-sector partnership across Dumfries and Galloway.
We’ll be inviting you to shape, challenge, and improve it.
This session is all about co-creation. Whether you bring lived experience, frontline insight, strategic perspective or community energy—you belong in the room.
Expect open conversation, early decisions, and the first steps toward building something bigger than any one organisation can do alone.
AGENDA
- 2.00pm Welcome
- 2:10pm Icebreaker and Introductions
- 2:30pm The Mental Health Forum in 2026
- 2:35pm Table Talk 1 -How do we want to use this Forum?
- 3.00pm Break
- 3.15pm ‘Getting to know you.’
- 3.45pm Spotlight On Dementia
- 4.10pm Table Talk 2 – Themes for future collaboration
- 4.30pm Strategic Updates
- 4.40pm Networking
- 5.00pm Finish
Shared Understanding of the Forum’s Purpose
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the proposed direction for evolving the forum.
Collective Feedback on the Draft Plan
Participants will have the opportunity to challenge, improve, and shape the forum in 2026.
Early Agreement on the Need for a Steering Group
The session will confirm shared support for forming a steering group and gather feedback on its proposed structure and role.
Expressions of Interest for Involvement
Individuals and organisations will be invited to express interest in joining the Steering Group, early working groups, or future co-design activities.
Start of a Co-created Vision and Set of Values
Through café-style discussion, attendees will help shape the foundational values and expectations that will guide the forum going forward.
Momentum Toward Shared Accountability and Delivery
The forum will agree on key actions and progress to be made between February and April, setting a precedent for two-monthly movement and shared ownership.
Strong Foundations for Trust and Participation
The tone and format of the session will reaffirm that this space is not top-down or tokenistic, but genuinely shared—and open to all voices.
This session is open to anyone with a role, stake, or lived experience in improving mental health in Dumfries and Galloway.
We particularly welcome:
· Third sector organisations involved in mental health, wellbeing, social care, community development, youth work, and peer support
· NHS and Health & Social Care Partnership colleagues
· People with lived or living experience of mental ill health or caring roles
· Housing, employability, justice, and education partners
· Funders, grant makers, and local policymakers
· Independent practitioners, trainers, and community-led projects
· Employers and businesses with an interest in workplace mental health
· Anyone working collaboratively to prevent crisis, promote wellbeing, or improve systems
If you’re committed to better mental health in our region—and believe we can achieve more by working together—this space is for you.