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Welcome to the CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter!
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Save the date! 8th May for the first conference of its kind in Scotland!
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A chance to hear directly from people themselves about their mental health experiences and how they have been treated in the mental health system. Celebrating and championing the voices of lived experience, the conference will explore the power of advocacy and activism to unite people and campaign for change. We welcome everyone, whether you’re a funder, third sector or health and social care professional, or you’ve experienced mental health issues yourself, or you’re just curious to find out more about mental health experiences.
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- For policy makers it is a unique opportunity to involve people with lived experience of mental health issues. You’ll have the chance to gather insights from the people who have actually experienced services.
- For third sector or health and social care professionals it’s a day of learning first-hand what can’t be taught in textbooks; workshops will explore what it feels like to experience conditions such as psychosis or personality disorder, among others.
- And for people with experience of mental health issues it’s a day of solidarity and community building.
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People with mental health issues will deliver the day in a series of Collective Advocacy workshops, a particularly impactful way for them to bring about change and challenge stigma. The conference will take place at Norton Park Conference Centre, Edinburgh and is free to attend. Exact timing to be confirmed but get the date 8th May in your diary now! For any questions or if you wish to book ahead please reply to this email or contact catherine@capsadvocacy.org
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Eating disorders can affect anyone
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In this blog, CAPS Collective Advocacy worker Rachel argues that eating disorders can affect all genders, sizes, ethnicities, ages, sexualities and socioeconomic statuses. Originally written for Eating Disorders Awareness week in February it highlights that eating disorders can indeed affect anyone. Rachel gives us an account of how people who have experience of eating disorders are fighting against stigma and conducting ground-breaking research. Read Rachel's blog.
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Can you take 10 minutes to help improve Edinburgh’s drop-ins?
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Drop-ins are free or donation-based events in the community, that do not require booking. Members of the Community Voices Collective Advocacy group have agreed that there are not enough drop-ins and community spaces where people in Edinburgh can meet to socialise. If you live in Edinburgh please take this 10-minute survey to help them provide the evidence of the need for these spaces that are so important for people’s mental health. You do not need to have attended a drop-in to take part.
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Insights into Minority Ethnic Mental Health
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This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn more about how mental health is experienced by people from minority ethnic communities. It may be particularly valuable for those who work in mental health services as a way to raise your own awareness of racism and how to be more inclusive when supporting minority ethnic individuals. For people with experience of mental health issues themselves it’s a way for us to come together in solidarity and hear from others’ perspectives. Wednesday 12 March, 1pm to 4.30pm at Norton Park Conference Centre Edinburgh book now.
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Here and Now Lived Experience Workshop
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This workshop is for anyone interested in exploring the different experiences of trauma; what it is like living with trauma; challenges people face in accessing support; the strengths and skills that people who have had experiences of trauma may bring, and being in the ‘Here and Now’. With first-hand accounts, you’ll get more insight into what it’s like to live with Experiences of Trauma. The workshop is an opportunity to explore ways to relate to one another with kindness and compassion, whilst recognising a person’s whole and vital self, including their experiences. Wednesday, 26 March, 1:00pm to 4:30pm at Norton Park Conference Centre, Edinburgh book now
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Community history project, Oor Mad History, based at CAPS, will collaborate with the University of Edinburgh on a Discovery Session. This is a co-curated exhibition held at the Centre for Research Collections within the university. Members of the Oor Mad History group will be exploring topics of their interest with the aid of researchers to present to the public. They will choose exhibition items from the Lothian Health Services Archive to be displayed. These sessions are to allow researchers, collection teams, and communities to come together to explore potential partnerships and collaborations. The sessions are designed to give people the opportunity to explore shared histories and interests whilst doing something fun, fulfilling and creative. The session will take place at the end of April, for more information contact azra@capsadvocacy.org
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Is Independent Advocacy right for you?
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Mindful of the fact that ‘black and minority ethnic communities are at comparatively higher risk of mental ill health, and disproportionately impacted by social detriments associated with mental ill health.’ (Race Equality Foundation), CAPS has just published a new poster aimed at reaching out to people from minority communities. The poster is written in Urdu, Polish, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese/Mandarin and Russian. In Collective Advocacy we already have a group specifically for people from minority ethnic communities. If you have a mental health issue or use drugs or alcohol, know that you can also work with an advocacy worker one-to-one to help get your voice heard in many different situations. Learn more about Individual Advocacy.
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Lived experience of drug and alcohol services in East Lothian
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On 6th March, Amy Shields, CAPS Collective Advocacy worker, and Amy Holmes, clinical psychologist on Substance Use and Trauma Lead from Astley Ainsley hospital, provided an introductory session for people who use drug and alcohol services in East Lothian. The session introduced an opportunity for people with drug or alcohol use to give views and thoughts at a new lived experience group. Anyone who uses drug and alcohol services in East Lothian is invited to take part, contact Amy on amy@capsadvocacy.org or 07910 983 030 for more information.
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Message from Brendan, Chair of CAPS
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Hi I’m Brendan, I’m the Chair of CAPS and I’d like to invite you to join us as a Management Committee member! It’s a hugely rewarding experience to steer a pioneering organisation that’s come from the grassroots of mental health activism. And you’ll know that you’re really helping people with mental health issues or other forms of disadvantage, at a time when demand for our services is increasing. There are currently four Management Committee members and we’re a friendly and welcoming bunch. What’s the time commitment? We meet online once every six weeks on a Thursday evening. What skills do I need? You need to have lived experience of mental health issues, good listening skills and the ability to work as a group to make decisions. You'll also need to be committed and reliable. Find out more in the FAQ here.
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Very best wishes from all at CAPS!
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CAPS Independent Advocacy is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Scottish Charity number: SC021772 |
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