We are delighted to formally invite you to Together for Mental Wellbeing’s Henry Hawkins Lecture and Celebration on Wednesday 21st October 2026.
With an agenda shaped by our Lived Experience Network members, join us for what promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking evening of discussion, learning and reflection as we explore this year's critical theme:
"When Voices Are Missing: The Cost of Overlooking Lived Experience in Mental Health."
Featuring two fantastic key-note speakers, a panel discussion and a lived experience led exhibition, this year’s lecture will explore the impact of excluding lived experience voices from mental health policy, service design and delivery, and highlight the importance of meaningful service user leadership.
Venue:
Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, London, SE1 9EH
- Venue accessibility information can be found by clicking here
- Location and travel routes can be found by clicking here
Evening Timings:
- 3:30pm-4:30pm: Doors Open, refreshments and exhibition space
- 4:30pm-6:30pm: Main lecture
- 6:30pm-7:30pm: Networking, exhibition and catering
Register to attend:
We would ask that you please register a place on Eventbrite via this link: -
Our speakers:
We are excited to be joined at the event by two thought-leading keynote speakers who will explore the theme in engaging ways and encourage questions from the audience to inspire discussion.
David Gilbert, Director of InHealth Associates
David specialises in patient/public engagement and co-production. He has used mental health services and is the author of ‘The Patient Revolution – how we can heal the healthcare system’. He helped pioneer 'patient (lived experience) leadership' then became the first NHS Patient (Lived Experience) Director. Half his 40-year career has been as outsider-activist (with Health Action International, Mind, Consumers Association) and later trying to change systems from within (Kings Fund, Head of Patient and Public Engagement at Commission for Health Improvement, OPM, NHS Croydon).
David suffered burn out and is rebuilding from three years of what he describes as ‘mental hell’. He was co-production adviser on NHSE’s Culture of Care Programme, authored 'Unequal Benefits, Unequal Harms' a report on AI Mental Health Chatbots (with Centre for Mental Health) and is a Board Member of Mind’s Commission on Mental Health in the Age of AI. He is a poet and Writer in Residence at The Bethlem Gallery.
Professor Sir Patrick Vernon OBE FRHistS
Professor Sir Patrick Vernon OBE FRHistS is a campaigner, social commentator and senior leader in health, equality and social justice. He has held leadership roles across the NHS, mental health, local government and the voluntary sector, including Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, Non-Executive Director roles within mental health trusts and Regional Director of Mind for London and Southeast England. He is currently Pro-Chancellor for Health at the University of Wolverhampton.
Patrick is widely recognised for his campaigning for Windrush Day and justice for the Windrush generation, and for his work tackling health inequalities, racism and unequal access to public services. His work combines lived experience, community activism, history and systems leadership. He is the author and editor of several publications exploring Black British history, mental health, grief and inequality. In 2026, Patrick received a knighthood for services to racial equality and social justice.
We look forward to you joining us, for what will be a fascinating evening of lecture, celebration and networking.
If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Together is a national charity working alongside people with mental health issues on their journey to leading fulfilling and independent lives. For more information about our work, please visit www.together-uk.org. Together is a charity and company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales: 52 Walnut Tree Walk, London, SE11 6DN. UK registered charity no. 211091. Company no. 463505.