North East Lincolnshire mental health provider Navigo has reached a significant milestone, welcoming its 1,000th member.
Navigo is a Community Interest Company delivering all-age mental health services to the NHS and beyond across the region.
Membership is open to both staff and the public, including service users, carers and anyone interested in the future of local mental health care. Members play an active role in influencing how services are run, reflecting Navigo’s commitment to the principle, ‘nothing about us without us’.
Simon Beeton, Chief Executive at Navigo, said: “I’m extremely proud to find out we’ve reached 1,000 members across our staff and the community.
“This shows how much local people value having a say in how mental health care is delivered — and every member brings a perspective that helps us improve.”
To mark the occasion, Bethanie Padbury – who became the 1,000th person to join the organisation’s combined staff and community membership – was presented with a voucher for Navigo-run Grimsby Garden Centre.
Co-production – where staff, service users, carers and community members work together as equal partners – is central to Navigo’s approach.
The organisation involves members in key areas of decision-making, from taking part in project groups to shape service improvements to sitting on interview panels to recruit new staff.
Members are also represented at board level by elected reps, who ensure the voices of service users and staff are heard in every conversation.
Julie Reah, Head of Corporate Affairs at Navigo, said: “Co-production isn’t an afterthought in how we provide services — it’s central to everything we do.
“Our members bring insight and expertise that’s unique, helping us design services that reflect the realities of the people who use them.”
Navigo is recognised for its innovative approach to mental health care, combining high-quality clinical services with community-based initiatives.
Alongside its NHS provision, the organisation operates trading arms such as Grimsby Garden Centre, which create training, education and employment opportunities for local people. All profits generated from these enterprises are reinvested for the benefit of the local community, including mental health services.
