Welcome
July 2023
Welcome to the CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter! 
Scottish Government Health and Wellbeing Strategy published
People with experience of mental health issues fed into The Scottish Government’s recently published Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. They highlighted the importance of people being involved in the design of services and that better access to benefits or housing could help support people's mental health. Collective advocacy groups will continue to hold government to account and raise their voices about what’s important to them. Find out more.
A graphic of a head with flowers and a brain to suggest wellbeing.
Scottish Human Rights Bill consultation opens
The Scottish Government recently published its consultation on the new Human Rights Bill for Scotland. The new bill will see more of our rights protected in law. The consultation invites groups and individuals to give their views on what’s important to them. CAPS collective advocacy groups will be making a response, please contact catherine@capsadvocacy.org if you’d like to be involved. Find out more.
A graphic of a judge with gavel and scales.
New service for people who identify as LGBTQIA+
Your voice matters! with CAPS LGBTQIA+ logo and pride flag and graphic of a person with cup of tea.
Independent advocacy is all about people having their voices heard. People who identify as LGBTQIA+ may experience situations where they aren’t listened to by services or are discriminated against. CAPS now has an individual advocacy service for LGBTQIA+ people. An advocacy worker can be by your side and help you to have your voice heard in all sorts of issues. This could include: gender identity clinic appointments or speaking to your doctor. We are only funded to provide this service in Midlothian. Find out more.
New Edinburgh collective advocacy service

CAPS is now working in partnership with independent advocacy organisations AdvoCard and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Patients Council to provide Independent Advocacy in Edinburgh. CAPS’ role in the partnership will be to provide collective advocacy for people with experience of mental health issues living in the community in Edinburgh. Collective advocacy is a way for a group of people with similar experiences to get together to raise issues and try to change things. It's about people having the right to a voice: addressing barriers and imbalances of power and ensuring that human rights are recognised, respected, and secured. Find out more.
New service for military veterans
CAPS has started a new service for military veterans. The project is all about veterans getting together with other veterans to direct the way that services are provided to veterans and their families. It’s an opportunity for veterans to steer the work of a network of UK Armed Forces charities. Our collective advocacy group ensures that veterans’ lived experiences are represented and reflected in the services provided by these organisations. Find out more.
CAPS Veterans Advocacy logo
Images of brokenness and beauty
An artwork made by CAPS' Experiences of Trauma group who are working on the film. Made of images cut from magazines including a man playing a piano, a roaring lion, an acrobat, two hands and more.

Who are we underneath the experiences that have shaped us and the coping mechanisms we’ve developed in order to survive? CAPS Experiences of Trauma collective advocacy group are currently working on a film that asks this question. Most of us will experience some form of trauma at one point in our lives. With the film the group wants to bring more understanding and compassion for all of us. Find out more.
New premises
CAPS collective advocacy team has moved to Norton Park on Albion Road, Edinburgh. We now have a dedicated room in the same building as our office which will be perfect for collective advocacy meetings. We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Experiences of psychosis
People recently shared their experiences of psychosis with a mixed audience of NHS workers, third sector workers, people with their own lived experience and carers. This is some audience feedback:

“This has been really positive, having lived experience of psychosis myself, it was my first time hearing from other people about their experiences – the community of peer support is what I will take away.”

“Have learned a lot – came into today not knowing a lot about psychosis. Will continue to try and learn more about people’s personal experiences. Lots of great conversations today!”

The collective advocacy group is keen to do more of these workshops so keep your eye on our social media for future dates. Find out more about the group and get involved.
Welcome to new staff member
Victoria MacKenzie started working as an Individual Advocacy Worker in the drug & alcohol team this month. She has an educational and work background in the social sciences and psychology. Victoria also has experience volunteering with third sector charities that help supporting individuals overcoming barriers or personal difficulties. Welcome to the CAPS team Victoria!
You can find more information about CAPS staff on this page.
Photo of Victoria
Job vacancies at CAPS
Collective Advocacy Worker closing date: 24th July at 12 noon
24 hours a week, Salary: £25,778 – £28,533 per annum FTE.
Location: Edinburgh
CAPS is looking for a Collective Advocacy worker to focus on the views and wishes of people with mental health issues living in Edinburgh.
The role is to ensure people’s voices are heard by decision-makers locally and invite people to draw on their experiences to bring about change, such as improving mental health services.

Collective Advocacy Worker (experiences of personality disorder and experiences of psychosis) closing date: 27th July at 12 noon.
24 hours per week, Salary: £25,778 – £28,533 per annum FTE
Location: Edinburgh
The worker will facilitate two established collective advocacy projects. These are Much More Than A Label, a group for people with experiences of personality disorder, and Experiences of Psychosis, for people with experiences of psychosis.

Collective Advocacy Worker (experiences of trauma and collective advocacy for people from Ethnic Minority backgrounds) closing date: 27th July at 12 noon.
21 hours per week, Salary: £25,778 – £28,533 per annum FTE
Location: Edinburgh
The worker will facilitate two established collective advocacy projects. These are the group for people with experience of trauma and the group for people from Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Collective Advocacy Worker (East Lothian, Midlothian, Lothian Voices) closing date: 3rd August 2023 at 12 noon.
24 hours per week, Salary: £25,778 – £28,533 per annum FTE,
Location: Lothian
CAPS is looking for a new Collective Advocacy worker to focus on the views and wishes of people with mental health issues living in East Lothian or Midlothian as well as a wider role with our Lothian Voices project.
Very best wishes from all at CAPS!
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CAPS Independent Advocacy is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Scottish Charity number: SC021772