Service User Network (SUN) service

It may be that you’re having difficulties with managing your emotions, relationships, being impulsive or your own identity

You may identify with or have a diagnosis of personality disorder.

Our aim is to support you in the community, improve your quality of life and reduce the need for further intervention from other services.   

Peer support groups

Our support groups allow people to help others by sharing their own experiences. The sessions are facilitated by both clinical and lived experience facilitators.

All our group members are valued as experts because of their experiences. Becoming part of our groups means you can get the support you need and help others by sharing your own experiences.

Our service is suitable if you’re comfortable talking with others in group settings.

The sessions can help in different ways, such as:

• Supporting you to learn the different coping skills that can help you through difficult times
• Connecting and learning from people who have similar experiences or who are in similar situations
• Providing a safe space to be heard and understood
• Encouraging problem solving skills
• Guiding you to other services and sources of support that might be beneficial

This is the structure of a typical peer support group session. 

Check in (45 mins)

Every member must check in with how they are doing and what they are looking to get out of the group.

New members are welcomed and the group assist them in completing their crisis and support plan (CASP).

This document is kept up to date and used to support members in times of struggle.

Break 15 mins.  

Open Forum (50 mins)

This is the main section where members discuss topics brought up in check in and offer support and advice to one another.

Break 10 mins  

Check out (30 mins)

Every member must check out with how they are feeling after the group.

Group minutes are taken, covering a summary of discussions and any actions that need to be taken.

This is how both online and face to face groups run.

You can register by using our online form, or by contacting our team. You can also talk to us if you want to know more about SUN, or you need help using our online form.

We’re available for contact 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Use our online registration form to register your place (opens new tab)

Email SUNTeam@berkshire.nhs.uk

Call 0300 365 8000

Here are the timetables for our group sessions. The locations and times could change, so please contact us to confirm before you attend.

We’ll confirm the address of the session with you when you register.

Online

Bracknell (face-to-face)

Reading (face-to-face)

You can contact us by calling or emailing. 

Call 0300 365 8000

Email SUNTeam@berkshire.nhs.uk

Reading

Erlegh House

University of Reading
Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road
RG6 6BZ

Our team is available for contact at the following opening times.

Our mental health teams and services, including Talking Therapies, are available if you need support. 

Find out how to access mental health support (opens new browser tab)

You can also find resources and guides on our website to help you if you need more advice.  

Resources to help with your mental health wellbeing (opens new browser tab)

Our Neurodiversity Passport can help you communicate your needs to our staff. It covers sensory processing, your communication preferences, and topics that might make you feel anxious and overwhelmed, so that we can support you.   

Read about our neurodiversity passport