Consumer and Family Reference Group
Richmind WA’s Consumer and Family Reference Group (CAFRG) are a group of current and previous clients, their family supports and staff, and external Lived Experience Representatives who meet monthly to discuss and provide input into all aspects of the service. Membership comprises of a diverse range of people from different backgrounds, with varying experiences of mental health services. It is the groups aim to help the organisation become better equipped to help our consumers.
CAFRG are a valuable resource to our core business, supporting individuals whose lives are impacted by mental health issues. This means providing a personalised service that is tailored to assist each individual on their recovery path. No one else is better qualified to assist the organisation achieve this outcome than people with lived and living experience.
Richmind WA believes in sharing the journey and for lived and living experience to be valued, and their voice given a strong platform. The National Standards for Mental Health Services, Standard 3 Consumer and Carer Participation, aims to create mental health services in which there are mutually beneficial outcomes by having consumers and carers (and family members) as partners in development, planning, delivery, and evaluation of services. This will be the focus of the CAFRG Terms of Reference (rather than consumers as partners in their own care).
Role
The CAFRG provides an:
- Opportunity to ensure that the human rights of individuals are protected – respect for human rights in fundamental to support the recovery of people living with mental health challenges.
- Recognise the importance of influencing strategic decision-making and systemic change.
- Foster a positive partnering environment in planning and decision-making to ensure high-quality, person-centred and family-centred care that is recovery focused.
- Provide strategies for a psychosocially safe organisational culture and welcoming environment.
- Ensure services are effective, meet consumer needs, and provide consumers with a positive service experience.
Meetings
The regular meetings are on the first Wednesday of every month from February to November each year.