Service : Service User Network

Service overview

The Service User Network (SUN) is a peer support group for adults (18+). We can help if you find it hard to manage strong feelings or if relationships are difficult. You don't need a diagnosis to join SUN.

Groups are run by mental health workers and people who have their own experience of emotional and personality difficulties.

We meet online and in person to talk about feelings and learn ways to cope so you need less help from other services.

SUN Service Leaflet

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Accessing our service

You must be 18 or older to join a SUN group.

You don't need a diagnosis, but you will need to feel comfortable talking in a group setting.

Use our online form to register your place.

If you want to know more about SUN, or you need help using our online form, get in touch using the contact details below.

We will email you to arrange your first group.

Service User Network (SUN)

Contact number: 0300 365 8000 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays)

Email: SUNTeam@berkshire.nhs.uk

Sessions information

Our groups can help you:

talk about your experiences in a safe space
learn ways to cope during difficult times
get support from people who have similar experiences
find out about other services that may help you

By taking part in a group, you can also help others by sharing your experiences.

Session structure

Both our online and face-to-face groups follow the same schedule. They last up to two and a half hours.

Check-in: say how you are and what you want to get from the session.
Break (10 to 15 minutes).
Open forum: talk and support each other.
Break (10 to 15 minutes).
Check-out: say how you feel after the session.

If it's your first time, you will need to fill in a crisis and support plan (CASP). The group will help you do this. The CASP is used to support members if they're struggling. It should be updated regularly.

At the end of each session, a summary is written down. This includes any actions that need to be taken.

SUN sessions

Online and in person

Repeating event

Please contact us to find out more before you arrive. We may change locations and times.

Online — Tuesday

1.30pm to 4pm

Online — Thursday

9.30am to 12pm

Online — Friday

9.30am to 12pm

Bracknell (RG12) — Tuesday

10am to 12.30pm

Reading East (RG6) — Wednesday

1.30pm to 4pm

Reading South (RG2) — Friday

12pm to 2.30pm

Slough (SL2) — Monday

10am to 12.30pm

Welcome Space

Online (Microsoft Teams video call)

Repeating event

Welcome Space is a chance for you to learn more about SUN. It is an online session.

You will get to meet members of our team and ask questions in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

You can join if you are:

thinking about signing up to SUN
are a current SUN member and want to learn more about our service or offer support to people thinking about joining
a family member, carer, or friend of someone you think SUN could help

If you are a professional, please contact us before the session if you want to attend.

SUN Welcome Space

2pm to 3pm

Join the video call

Carer support

Carers’ Awareness Tools & Support (CATS) is a group programme.

Our aim is to:

increase knowledge of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder / Borderline Personality Disorder
improve communication between family, friends, carers, and the cared-for person

Books

You can find more information about personality disorders in the following books, which you may be able to find in local libraries, or you can buy them online.

Stop walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder, by Kreger Randy and Paul Mason
The Borderline Personality Disorder: Everything You Need to Know About Living with BPD, by Alex Chapman and Kim Gratz
Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder: A Family Guide for Healing and Change, by Valerie Porr
Oprah Winfrey and Dr Bruce Perry (2022). What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Rachel Reiland (2018). Get Me Out Of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder
Marsha Linehan (2020). Building a Life Worth Living: A Memoir
Bessel Van Der Kolk (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Other support for friends, family, and carers

We work with carers as part of the 'Triangle of Care'. This is a three-way relationship between the person using our services, their family/carers, and our staff.

We can help you access help or information from other NHS services, the local authority, or voluntary sector organisations.

Learn more about support for friends, family, and carers: Learn more

Your e-Health Passport

Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.

Learn more

Contact us and FAQs

Can I use SUN more than once?

Yes. You can come as often as you need.

Do you prescribe medicine?

No. SUN does not give medication.

Do you help people under 18?

No. SUN is for people aged 18 and over.

We can also help you with:

Is there any information for friends, family and carers?

If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.

How do I request an interpreter?

We can provide language translation and interpretation support.

Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.

We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:

Telephone interpreting
Video remote interpreting (VRI)
Face‑to‑face interpreting
Written translation
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting

How can I get information in an accessible format?

Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to get information in a format that meets their needs.

The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers. This means making sure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand our information and communicate with us easily.

We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:

British Sign Language (BSL)
Large print
Braille
Audio
Easy read
Email
Text message
Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present

If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.

Are service dogs allowed at my appointment?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.

These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.

To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.

Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.

What does it mean to treat our team with respect?

Respect is important.

We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.

Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.

We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.

This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.

How do I find my NHS number?

The easiest way to find your NHS number is using the official NHS online service which can be accessed below.

You may also want to read our guidance page for more information about other ways to find your NHS number or what to do if you cannot find yours.