Background

The Mental Health Alliance is a network of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector organisations in Milton Keynes, working in a collaborative and co-productive way to implement the local Mental Health Transformation plan. Community Action: MK has been facilitating this network since July 2021.

The aim of the Mental Health Alliance is to help put the local plan in practice and to help the NHS see the VCSE as a vital partner in designing and delivering Mental Health Support in Milton Keynes.

Important Update: Mental Health Alliance Changes – July 2025
Due to NHS England’s closure, CNWL is changing how it funds the Mental Health Alliance. Meetings will now be quarterly online, and this will be the last newsletter for the foreseeable future. We’re exploring new ways to support the alliance and will keep you updated. Read more here.

Next Mental Health Alliance Meeting

We will be holding the next Mental Health Alliance meeting on Thursday 16th July at 9.30. If you would like to join, email Tanya Clark, our Networks Development Officer, on tanya@communityactionmk.org.

Book your spot at the meeting here

Community Action: MK have been working closely with other VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) Sector organisations and the NHS (the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group [BLMKCCG] and Central North West London Trust [CNWL], provider of mental health and community health services in Milton Keynes, to develop a Mental Health Alliance to help implement the Community Mental Health Transformation Plan for Milton Keynes.

In October 2022, Living Archive Milton Keynes produced a short film depicting how the Mental Health Alliance was co-produced and it’s achievements and impact so far! You can watch the video below:

In 2025, we pulled together a short video explaining what the Mental Health is, what members get out of it and the impact it has had on the groups, their service users and their beneficiaries.

Who can get involved?

We are inviting and encouraging all local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise groups and organisations in Milton Keynes, big or small, whoever you support, to join this collaborative initiative. You will have a chance to help shape how the Alliance develops going forward and participate in collaborative funding programmes, working towards its aims, which you can read about in the Alliance Terms of Reference document here.

See the latest newsletter here.

How do I join?

We have been developing the Alliance based on the co-production and open learning principles.

If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Alliance, we recommend you review the information below, including the Terms of Reference and Funding Process document, which set out the values and the governance structure for the Alliance. You can then fill out a membership form.

Membership form
Terms of reference
Funding process
Previous meetings

You can also access all other relevant governing documentation here.

If you have questions or would like to join the future meetings, please email us at networks@communityactionmk.org

Meetings

The Mental Health Alliance usually take place online, but occasionally we hold meeting in person, so we can connect and network face-to-face.

If you are interested in joining, please get in touch at networks@communityactionmk.org.

See the latest Mental Health Alliance newsletter here.

Members

  • Q: alliance
  • KSI Muslim Community of Milton Keynes
  • The Wisdom Principle
  • Rethink Mental Illness
  • Bethesda Network
  • Arts for Health MK
  • Citizens Advice Milton Keynes
  • Works for Us
  • SAASSBMK – Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes
  • Talkback UK
  • YMCA MK
  • The Advocacy People
  • PoetsIN The Creative Mental Health Charity
  • DAFS (Drugs Alcohol Family Support)
  • The Henry Allen Trust
  • Volunteering Matters
  • Transitions UK
  • MK Dons SET
  • The Parks Trust
  • Future Wolverton Limited
  • Alzheimer’s Society
  • Volunteering Matters
  • The Mead Centre ( a Newport Pagnell URC Community Project)
  • Community Led Initiatives
  • Talent Unlimited MK
  • Harry’s Rainbow
  • The Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation
  • M & G Productions
  • Your Space Foundation CIC
  • Caudwell Youth
  • MK Christian Foundation
  • St Frideswide’s Church, Water Eaton
  • C2C Social Action
  • Mental Health Cleaning
  • You Mental CIC
  • Ride High
  • The Mix (MK)
  • Youth Mindset

What have members been saying?

“Delighted to say that since the last meeting, I am meeting with Re-Think, Harry’s Rainbow and the Old School in Wolverton so thank you for bringing us together.”

“Once again thank you so much for supporting our project. I think what the MHA is doing for us small charities is brilliant!”

“Whenever I talk to my CEO about the work in MK, I tell them that Mental Health Alliance is the best networking opportunity that I/ Talkback is involve with.”

“Mental Health Alliance inspires me because it gives so many opportunities and options to learn and link up with others.”

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Mental Health Alliance, contact us via networks@communityactionmk.org or call 01908 661623.