IMPOWER’s Heroes of 2023: 6 December

I am nominating Marsha, an influential Expert by Experience, for the Heroes of the Year award. Marsha has devoted herself to influencing mental health policies and practices following her personal experiences with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Her influence extends to major decision-making bodies. She’s been part of the government’s Mental Health Act Review Team, a founding member of the Speaker Collective, and a participant in the Lived Experience Group for Equally Well. Marsha is also a 2023 Churchill Fellow, recipient of the Royal College of Psychiatry’s President’s Medal, and Vice Chair of the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network.

Marsha supported IMPOWER by hosting two of our Big Chats at last week’s National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC). In her preparation and delivery of these fireside chats about local authorities’ co-production journey, she pre-interviewed those involved, helping them articulate their journey and ensuring that the voices of children and young people remained central.

Her remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to mental health advocacy make her an outstanding candidate for the Heroes of the Year award.