CHARM consists of a group of people who want to improve mental health services in Manchester. Manchester is a city in the north-west of England with a population of just under three million. In September 2020 when a Hospital was earmarked for re-development as a single site psychiatric unit a group of people opposed this proposal. They believed it would not meet the needs of the people of Manchester in crisis.
The intention was to start something where everyone could have a say in what was needed. The whole community had to be consulted. This was done in the spirit of collaboration and concerns were later raised with the Mayor of Manchester.
Many of the needs and concerns had been expressed previously in the 1980’s but not much had changed. CHARM intend to make a difference framing their concerns very much within the context of community life.
Details about CHARM can be found on their website, https:// charmmentalhealth.org
In 2025 with the help of a team of Open dialogue trainers from Maastricht in Holland CHARM have been able to establish a small group of enthusiastic people intent on finding better ways to communicate and influence so that the changes they wish for are properly and enthusiastically implemented.
As I write this in May 2026 CHARM are making plans to re-engage with the Maastricht group of Open dialogue trainers to further their involvement in Open dialogue practice. I have left space here for those who have something to say about their experience so far using Open dialogue principles:
My name is Andy.
My experience of Open dialogue network meetings goes back a few years now. Most of those meetings have been online. The meetings have varied in the number of participants but usually around four has been the norm. The subject matter has varied from global issues to personal dilemmas. It is always gratifying to hear that the person who brings their concern to the group is more satisfied when they leave. I have taken up roles both as one who brings their concern to the group and also one who listens and reflects on the dilemmas of others. Both roles have given me something, a feeling of faith in humanity, mutual respect, a wonderment and a new realisation. It is my sincere hope that others experience some of this; a slowing down and a contemplative moment.
Drawing on Open Dialogue and the Trieste experience, it builds real alternatives alongside people with lived experience, families …