Implementing a user employment programme in a mental health trust ‐ lessons learned

The User Employment Programme at South West London & St George's Mental Health Trust pioneered user employment in mental health trusts. Eight years on, Miles Rinaldi and colleagues review the lessons learned to date and highlight some pitfalls to avoid and useful pointers for others embarking on this course. Key to its success has been the ongoing support and involvement of senior management, listening to and learning from users, and an incremental approach to breaking down the barriers between ‘them’ and ‘us’.