We’re absolutely thrilled to share the fantastic news that CPSL Mind has officially been awarded the Mind Quality Mark (MQM) – a significant achievement that deserves celebration.
We are also delighted to share that we were nominated for three MQM Excellence Awards by the MQM team in recognition of key strengths in the following areas:
- Collaboration, Profile and Influence
- Culture and Values
- Workforce
The Mind Quality Mark (MQM) is the quality standard for the Mind Federation. It’s both a quality assurance framework and a tool for organisational development. Local Minds, Mind and Mind Retail are required to meet MQM to ensure every organisation in the Mind Federation is well-run and delivers safe, effective support for people with mental health problems.
MQM was developed in collaboration with local Minds, people with lived experience and subject experts. It provides the impetus for reflection and continuous improvement, innovation and ambition, so that everyone with mental health problems gets the respect and the support they need. MQM also highlights best practice and promotes peer support and shared learning across the Mind Federation.
Reviewers concluded that CPSL Mind has many strengths to celebrate, including its self-reflective approach to quality improvement, which was obvious throughout the MQM review and highlighted in the report. In addition to the areas of excellence highlighted, many other areas of strength stand out – such as its commitment to the environment through its Investors in the Environment accreditation.
Feedback from the review session also shared that CPSL Mind proactively promotes positive messaging through campaigning and awareness raising activities alongside its training offerings, including mental health in the workplace and suicide prevention training. The organisation also offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of its communities, and it is striving to build on its commitment to hearing the voices of lived experience across the charity. Of particular note is the engagement of underrepresented communities in its services. The diversity of services it provides is significant, as is its approach to design those services to ensure it meet the needs of underrepresented communities.
The MQM review team concluded that the culture at CPSL Mind is impressive. They commented that people work collaboratively and cohesively, and the values-based culture within the organisation was palpable during the review visit. Reviewers also noted that the leadership is motivational, and everyone strives for continual improvement, ensuring that when good practice is identified it is embedded within the organisation. It was observed that people across the organisation are also active within the Mind Federation, open to sharing and learning collaboratively and striving to uphold Mind’s values in all that it undertakes.
CPSL Mind’s staff team were described as ‘a considerable asset’. Everyone encountered by the review team was excited to share their experiences of working at CPSL Mind; how they support each other and how their support is impactful for people who use services. This enthusiasm was seen in the number of responses received as part of the MQM Have Your Say survey. One respondent said: ‘It’s a great place to work amongst a group of people who all genuinely want to make a difference to mental health in the local community, everyone has passion and commitment to those they are supporting’.
What’s next?
Throughout the MQM review, our staff and volunteer team were recognised as embracing opportunities for continuous improvement so that we can continue to deliver much needed, high-quality services to our local communities while living our values. Inspired by the MQM process, during the Summer we will be launching our own internal quality review framework which mirrors the MQM process as a reflective and forward-looking initiative to keep improving and share best practice and consistent approaches across all areas of the organisation. The regular reviews will also help us prepare for the next MQM review which we expect in 2027.
Ashley Bunn, CEO at CPSL Mind, said, “On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team, we are so proud to have achieved this incredible milestone which recognises our amazing work and dedication to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing in our local communities – none of which would be possible without the CPSL Mind team. We are currently working on the next stage of our People Plan, ensuring that our people are front and centre in all that we do, utilising our learnings from this process making sure that we are a great place to work, volunteer and access services. This valuable recognition is testament to everyone at CPSL Mind and is a lovely reason to stop and reflect on the incredible work that we are doing on a daily basis, We are proud to celebrate but we won’t stop learning and driving forward – A huge thank you to the CPSL Mind team for their dedication, commitment and passion in all that we do.”
Nicola Brennan, Executive Assistant and Business support said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the Mind Quality Mark (MQM) recognising CPSL Mind’s commitment to delivering high-quality mental health and wellbeing support. The MQM review highlighted strengths in three key areas: Workforce, Values and Culture, and Collaboration, Profile and Influence which were praised as areas of excellence. These strengths not only reflect what we do, but who we are and what we stand for, and showcase the dedication and passion of our staff and volunteer team. Their commitment ensures our services are safe, effective, and strengths-based and are truly making a difference. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to this work every day to support recovery and promote positive mental health in communities across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.
“While we celebrate receiving the MQM award, our commitment to quality doesn’t stop here. We will continue to listen, learn, adapt and improve to ensure we continue meeting the needs of the people and communities we support.”
Our organisational survey platform, Your Views Matter is for people who use our services and is just one method of providing feedback. For anyone interested in future co-production opportunities, including the design, planning, production and delivery of projects and services in ways that reflect and value the lived experience of everyone involved, please contact Co-production@cpslmind.org.uk or call our team on 0300 303 4363.
Example feedback from MQM Have your Say survey included:
“It was a lifesaver for me in the most difficult, sad, horrible, shocking, upsetting and challenging time of my life.” – Person accessing services
“I enjoy being able to use my lived experience to support others.” – Volunteer
“It is great to work amongst a group of people who all genuinely want to make a difference to mental health in the local community, everyone has passion and commitment to those they are supporting” – Staff member
“…Involving people with lived experience through everything they do is fantastic, from service development and improvement, to ensuring we are values and voice led in our decision making” – Trustee
CPSL Mind
Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind (CPSL Mind) is the leading local mental health charity in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire and supports local people in their recovery from mental health challenges, promotes wellbeing, and campaigns against stigma and discrimination: http://www.cpslmind.org.uk
We believe that no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. If you are facing difficulties with your emotional or mental health and are looking for support on your road to recovery, we are here for you.
June 9, 2025
