FORMER Southampton mental health patients are helping with staff training and service delivery as part of a landmark project being piloted in the city.

For the first time ever people with experience of inpatient services or a treatment known as dialectical behaviour therapy, will take on a key role in the training of nurses and support staff at Southampton's Department of Psychiatry (DOP).

Dr Viv Cowdrill, consultant clinical psychologist, said: "By involving people with experience of using mental health services in our training, we will be giving our staff a realistic and unique insight into how their work affects an individual's recovery.

"It means our services will be even more responsive and effective at meeting people's needs. It is an exciting time to be working in mental health services at the DOP."

Service users will undergo a six-month training course and will use their personal experiences to help teach staff about personality disorders.

The volunteers will also have the opportunity to contribute to plans for Southampton's mental health services in the future.