On 21st of July 2025, carers, professionals, and stakeholders from across the UK gathered virtually for the latest Triangle of Care (ToC) Community Meeting. Chaired by Matthew McKenzie, this session was packed with insight, action points, and open dialogue. Whether you were new to the group or a long-time contributor, there was something valuable for everyone.

This meeting was particularly significant as it marked a turning point for carer participation. The formal recognition of the community group in ToC’s national governance structure. It affirmed that carer lived experience should not be sidelined, and that carers must continue to shape mental health services from the inside out.

If you weren’t able to attend, this blog will bring you up to speed. As the ToC community group covered a wide range of topics, from updates on national strategy and governance, to inclusive language, carer-led training, and advocacy for better research funding. At the heart of it all was a single message: when carers unite, systems must listen.

Official Recognition and Governance Progress

We are delighted to announce that the Triangle of Care Community Group is now formally integrated into the Triangle of Care governance structure. This gives the group a direct route to influence national decisions. The community will now sit alongside steering and regional groups in shaping policy, reviewing practices, and helping determine what carer inclusion should look like across all participating trusts.

What this means practically is improved alignment and visibility. For years, many carers and grassroots contributors have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, often without formal platforms. This change allows community voices to be heard before decisions are made not just consulted afterwards. Matthew described this shift as “a recognition of the years of unpaid care, leadership, and advocacy carers have always provided.”

It also means that our meetings will align with national timelines and decisions, ensuring a timely flow of updates between local groups, regional networks, and national forums. This is a pivotal opportunity to embed carers more meaningfully into NHS structures and accountability.

New Mailing List & Sign-Up System

Mary Patel from Carers Trust announced the launch of a new centralised mailing list for Triangle of Care community members. This will make sure everyone receives meeting invites, resources, and updates reliably. Participants will soon be asked to complete a Microsoft sign-up form, which will securely transfer contact details onto the Carers Trust system for ongoing communications.

The form will include a few demographic questions to help build a picture of the diversity within the ToC community. These questions are entirely optional but are designed to help Carers Trust identify who is engaging, and where gaps might exist—ensuring outreach strategies reflect real needs. For example, better regional balance, or increased visibility for underrepresented carer groups.

There was also discussion about moving from Zoom to Microsoft Teams for future meetings. Teams offers benefits like attendance tracking, secure file sharing, and easier scheduling. However, this won’t be a forced change, Matthew and Mary invited feedback, emphasising that any transition would be made collaboratively with community input.

Stronger Carer Involvement

Carer involvement was at the heart of the meeting. Matthew shared a passionate update on the need for carers particularly those from minority backgrounds or marginalised communities to step forward and engage in all aspects of the Triangle of Care. This includes involvement in peer reviews, shaping surveys, and suggesting new training or webinar content that reflects their lived experience.

The community was reminded that leading change doesn’t require a title or formal position. Sharing your story, participating in surveys, or simply raising your hand during a meeting is a form of leadership. Matthew emphasised that carers hold the kind of insight that no policy or textbook can replicate. As he put it, “This community is only as strong as the carers who show up.”

Peer reviewing was especially encouraged. Carers can play a vital role in reviewing mental health trust practices and making sure those trusts aren’t just ticking boxes but are genuinely improving the carer experience. Anyone interested in joining these review panels was invited to contact Mary Patel directly. The experience is meaningful and empowering and it places carers right where they should be: in positions of influence.

CQC Expectations and Carer Experiences

A powerful part of the meeting focused on the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and how effectively it monitors carer inclusion in mental health services. Several carers and professionals shared their experiences some positive, others deeply concerning about how the CQC engages (or fails to engage) with carers during inspections.

A senior experience lead from an acute trust, explained that when CQC inspectors review services, they typically look for a clear carers policy, systems for identifying and supporting carers, and evidence of staff training. However, the level of scrutiny and the quality of carer-related feedback can vary significantly between inspections. The experience lead noted that while policy is important, it’s the systems around those policies that really matter, things like whether staff actually follow them, and whether carers know where to go for help.

Carers in the meeting shared contrasting experiences. A carer described a disappointing CQC visit where the inspector seemed dismissive, rushed, and uninformed about carers’ rights. Her feedback about lack of communication and exclusion was barely acknowledged, leaving her feeling invalidated. In contrast, Another carer spoke of a more recent inspection where the CQC officer seemed empathetic, asked thoughtful questions, and even disclosed their own possible caring experience. These differing accounts highlighted a common theme: carers’ confidence in the CQC is mixed, and their approach to carers can sometimes feel inconsistent.

There was strong consensus that CQC needs better training in carer engagement and not just understanding legal frameworks like the Care Act 2014, but also how to meaningfully include carers in service reviews. Kelvin added that cultural competence should also be part of the equation, noting that carers from minority backgrounds are too often left out of consultations. Matthew urged carers not to wait for trusts to invite them to speak during inspections ask to be involved, request to meet inspectors, and use carers’ councils or governors to raise visibility. It was clear from this session that carers want the CQC to be more than a compliance body, they want it to be a true advocate for accountability and equity in care.

Confidentiality Roadshow by Donna Bradford

A standout session was led by Donna Bradford, who presented her team’s work on the Confidentiality Roadshow a training programme developed by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Designed to upskill staff on consent, confidentiality, and communication, the roadshow is tailored around carer inclusion and co-produced with the Carers Council.

The training helps staff understand not only what they can share legally, but also how to navigate nuanced emotional and ethical situations with carers. Donna reminded attendees that sharing basic, non-confidential information, such as medication side effects, is not only lawful but essential. “If you can Google it, you can say it,” she noted, driving home the importance of clarity over confusion.

Over 550 staff have already received the training, with 100% reporting that it improved their confidence. The programme includes real-life carer scenarios, emotional video testimonials, and interactive quizzes to help reinforce learning.

Beyond the training content itself, what makes the Confidentiality Roadshow so impactful is its co-production with carers. Donna highlighted that every scenario used in the sessions came from real-life examples shared by carers and families. This ensures the training isn’t theoretical so it’s grounded in lived experience. The emotional and practical realities of caring for someone with mental health needs are at the heart of the learning, helping staff understand why clear, compassionate communication is so essential. The training also underscores the importance of listening to carers, not just as bystanders but as active contributors to a person’s care journey.

Several attendees raised the idea of incorporating this training into broader staff induction and continuing professional development programmes. Others asked about adapting it for use in different trust settings, such as acute hospitals or community services. Donna encouraged trusts to reach out if they’d like to adopt or customise the resource. The message was clear: confidentiality shouldn’t be a barrier, it should be a bridge, and with the right training and tools, staff can navigate those conversations with confidence, legality, and humanity.

Mental Health Research Petition

Irene Harris spoke passionately about a new parliamentary petition calling for improved research funding into serious mental illnesses (SMIs) like psychosis. The petition aims to shine a spotlight on how outdated treatments and under-researched conditions continue to place carers and their loved ones in difficult, often heartbreaking positions.

Here is the video about Psychosis medication and its impact by the Stockport carers forum.

She shared how mental health medications for SMIs haven’t evolved as rapidly as physical health treatments, and how this results in long-term side effects and compromised quality of life. Research is desperately needed, not only to improve diagnosis and treatment, but also to create support structures that ease the burden on unpaid carers.

Irene asked attendees to sign and circulate the petition widely, with a goal of hitting 10,000 signatures by November 15th.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/725846

She also announced plans to launch new social media channels to raise awareness. This initiative is about more than funding it’s about giving carers and service users a louder voice in national healthcare priorities.

For more details feel free to visit https://www.mhcarersgroupstockport.co.uk

or contact Irene on irene@mhcarersgroupstockport.co.uk

Language, Inclusivity, PCREF & the ‘Global Majority’ Debate

Language and inclusivity were major themes of the meeting, particularly around the term “global majority.” Some attendees expressed concern that the phrase could be divisive or misinterpreted, particularly by politically sensitive audiences or media outlets. A carer shared a personal anecdote illustrating how words can carry unintended consequences.

Others responded by highlighting the intention behind the term to emphasise that those historically described as “minorities” are, in fact, the global majority in population terms. They called for continued use of the phrase in contexts that promote empowerment, equity, and lived experience.

The discussion didn’t produce a consensus, but it modelled what respectful disagreement and co-learning should look like. Matthew reinforced that ToC should be a space for constructive dialogue, not debate for its own sake. Ultimately, we are united in our aim to ensure no carer is left behind regardless of background, heritage, or identity.

Next Steps & Community Actions

The session wrapped up with a summary of action points and responsibilities. Carers Trust will soon circulate the new mailing list sign-up form. Matthew will share updated meeting dates for 2026 once confirmed, and he will continue to distribute posters for the upcoming National Ethnic Carers Group, taking place on the last Friday of each month.

There will be support the rollout of the Confidentiality Roadshow materials and follow up with those interested in joining peer review panels. A reminder was issued for everyone to contribute to current surveys, share their feedback, and suggest future topics for community meetings.

Finally, participants were encouraged to stay connected beyond the meetings. Whether through peer networks, local carers centres, or email updates, the message was clear: carers must stay visible, vocal, and valued. You are the change-makers, and this group is your platform.

Final Thoughts: “Carers Are Not Just a Cog in the Wheel”

Matthew ended the session with a rallying call to action: “We’re not just a cog in the wheel as we are the energy behind it.” His words served as a reminder that carers are not passive recipients of services. They are drivers of quality, advocates for change, and protectors of dignity in the mental health system.

He also reminded everyone that systems often change slowly, but they do change when people keep showing up, keep speaking up, and keep sharing their truths. “This isn’t just about the Triangle of Care,” he said. “It’s about reshaping the whole narrative around mental health and care.”

If you missed the meeting and would like to receive the slides, recordings, or further resources, feel free to contact Matthew McKenzie directly:
📧 mmckenzie@carers.org

Thanks to to all who attended, contributed, and championed carers’ voices. The next meeting should in September where we hope to see you there.