Chair’s Initiative Fund delighted to support new book publication
The Chair’s Initiative Fund has recently provided a small grant to support the publication of Personally Speaking, a new book by retired DPT Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Glenn Roberts.
The Fund supports a wide range of projects across the Trust, all with a shared aim: to benefit the people who use our services. Supporting the publication of Personally Speaking reflects this commitment by helping to share learning, insight and compassionate practice.
Dr Roberts dedicated many years to the Russell Clinic rehabilitation service at Wonford House in Exeter. A pioneer of the recovery movement, he served as the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ lead for recovery for six years. He is also a founding member of Recovery Devon, a partnership of mental health professionals, people with lived experience, and their supporters.
In Personally Speaking, Dr Roberts and fellow psychiatrists reflect on how their personal life experiences have shaped their approaches to supporting people with mental health difficulties.
Many colleagues may also be familiar with Dr Roberts’ earlier publications, including Beyond the Storms (2009), a beautifully illustrated collection of recovery stories, and its sequel, Strengthened by Storms, published in 2023.
Personally Speaking was officially launched last month at an event hosted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London. College President, Dr Lade Smith CBE, underlined the value of these stories in enhancing an appreciation of the need for humanity and compassion in psychiatric care, and hoped it would become a standard text, read by all.
The book has already received highly positive feedback nationally. Among the early reviews is a generous endorsement from Sir Stephen Fry, who described it as “a wonderful reminder of the warmth and humanity that underlies the mission of psychiatry. Hugely recommended.”
Reflecting on the origins of the book, Dr Roberts explains: “This collection of stories arose from a concern that our medical culture has often failed to emphasise the value of integrating our personal and professional experience, resulting in us living as divided selves. It acknowledges that learning to value and share personal experience needs care and skill but holds great potential to support more integrated and relational ways of training, learning and living.
“Thanks to the support of the Chair’s Initiative Fund, all psychiatry trainees in Devon have received a complimentary copy of the book to aid their reflection and professional development.
“This not‑for‑profit project will donate any surplus funds, once costs are covered, to two mental health charities: Doctors in Distress and Imroc, a national agency supporting recovery‑oriented service development.”
To find out more about Personally Speaking, or to purchase the book (or e-book) please visit the Personally Speaking website, where you can also read a free sample.