Service Service User Network

Service overview

Our service is called the Service User Network, also known as SUN.

We can help if you’re having difficulties with emotions and personality disorders.

You might find that you struggle to manage your emotions such as feeling impulsive, which is affecting personal relationships for example.

We offer open peer support groups, where you can share your experiences and advice with others.

You don't need a diagnosis to attend our sessions. You can use our online form to register.

Our aim is to help you talk through your experiences, so that you can improve your quality of life and reduce the need for intervention from other services.

SUN Service leaflet

Download

File size: 212KB

pdf

Accessing our service

You must be 18 years old or older.

Use our online form, or contact our team directly, to register your place with us.

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

A member of the team will be in touch via email to arrange your first group.

Across Berkshire

SUN service

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

Email: SUNTeam@berkshire.nhs.uk

Peer group support

Our support groups provide a safe space for you to share your experiences and advise with others people in similar situations.

The sessions are led by both our clinical experts, and people who have lived experience of emotion and personality disorders.

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.

  • 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

Our sessions last around 2 hours which includes regular breaks, and cover check In, open forum, and check out. 

Check in (45 mins)

Every member must check in and share how they’re doing and what they’re 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.

Sessions timetables

You can choose between online and face to face sessions when you register.

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

Online

  • Tuesday, 1.30pm to 4pm
  • Wednesday, 10am to 12.30pm
  • Thursday, 9.30am to 12pm

Bracknell

  • Tuesday, 10am to 12.30pm

Reading

  • Wednesday, 1.30pm to 4pm

Slough

  • Monday, 10am to 12.30pm

Thatcham

  • Friday, 10am to 12.30pm

Managing your health

Carer support

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

It's aim is to increase knowledge of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder/ Borderline Personality Disorder and improve communication between family members and the cared for person.

We work with carers as part of the triangle of care (which is a therapeutic alliance between the service user, our staff and the carer) to promote safety, support recovery and sustain wellbeing.

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
Patient appointment

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 this service more than once?

Yes, you can use this service as many times as is needed.

Do you prescribe medication as part of treatment?

No, we do not prescribe medication.

Do I need to show evidence of my difficulties with emotions or personality disorder?

[PENDING ANSWER]

Do you offer advice for young people under age 18?

Unfortunately we do not offer this service to those under the age of 18.

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 to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.  

How do I request an interpreter?

We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.

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 receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.

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 to 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.

Treating 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 includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.

Ctas Web 25 Iwgc Standard

iWantGreatCare

Did you get great care? Having your say helps care for everyone, so please give us your feedback

Have your say

We have other services which specialise in understanding and managing personality disorders.

Our PICT team offer training to health teams supporting those with challenging mental health situations.

Intensive Management of Personality Disorder and Clinical Therapies Team

  • Adults

Help to understand complex emotional needs and relationship issues linked to personality disorders.

Go to service

Psychologically Informed Consultation and Training Team

Skills development for professionals, such as GPs and social workers, working with complex emotional needs and personality disorders.

Go to service

Assertive Intervention and Stabilisation Team

  • Adults

Short-term interventions for people with a personality disorder or significant difficulties managing emotions. Also known as ASSIST.

Go to service

External support

Breathing Space (Berkshire West)

The Berkshire West Breathing Space service is a safe, welcoming and supportive space for anybody aged over 18 experiencing emotional distress and struggling to cope.

Safe Haven (East Berkshire)

Safe Haven service is a safe, welcoming and supportive space for anybody aged over 18 experiencing emotional distress and struggling to cope.

Mind

Mind work to create a mentally healthy society by providing information, support, and campaigns to tackle mental health stigma and improve access to mental health services in England and Wales

Samaritans

Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.