Welcome
Welcome to the CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter!
April 2025
In our shoes: Independent Advocacy as education and innovation 
Learn directly from people themselves about their mental health experiences. This conference will explore the power of Independent Advocacy and activism to unite people and co-design better services. 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.
Date: 8th May 2025
Time: 9am registration for 9.30am start to 4pm.
Place: Norton Park Conference Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5QY 
Free to attend but please book on Eventbrite or reply to this email or contact catherine@capsadvocacy.org
Collective Advocacy proposed cuts and how you can help
We have been informed by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, who fund the provision of much of CAPS’ Independent Collective Advocacy work, that they intend to withdraw their funding and cancel CAPS' contracts to provide Collective Advocacy. A final decision will be made by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board at their meeting on 17th June, when the timescale would also become clear. This is difficult news we know, but there is time to influence this decision. If you’ve been involved with CAPS Collective Advocacy we’re asking you if you could please give us a testimonial to help us evidence the importance of our work. Please write three short paragraphs in answer to the following points:
  • How are you involved with CAPS?
  • What benefits do you get from Collective Advocacy?
  • What will be the impact on you if CAPS’ groups end?
Please send your testimonial to catherine@capsadvocacy.org. Please be assured that until a final decision is known our groups will continue with the important work that they are doing. Read more about the proposed cuts here.
Collective Advocacy funding response meeting
Following the news of the intended cuts to CAPS Collective Advocacy funding, many people involved in Collective Advocacy have told us that they want to help. Please come along to a meeting on Thursday 1 May, in Norton Park Conference Centre, from 2pm to 4pm. At this meeting our CEO, Jane Crawford, will explain more about the situation, and then we’d like to hear your views. Together, we can agree what action you’d like to take as a group.

Please let Catherine know if you can attend by emailing catherine@capsadvocacy.org or by booking on Eventbrite.
You can attend online if you prefer, and Catherine will give you a link. If you need help with transport or have any other accessibility needs, please let us know. Please note this meeting is for people already involved with CAPS. We do hope you can attend as we need your support at this difficult time.
Out of Sight Out of Mind Afternoon Tea is On!

You are cordially invited to meet previous exhibitors, new exhibitors and organisers of Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition. Find out about taking part, and/or chat about your ideas for this year’s exhibition. Everyone is welcome, especially those with an interest in art, mental health, tea and/or cake.

When: Tuesday 13 May 2024, 2.30 to 4.30pm (Drop-in)

Where: St Martins Community Centre, 232 Dalry Road in Edinburgh, EH11 2JG

Book your spot: by using this booking link oosoom.artsvp.com/6cb631 or by email exhibition@capsadvocacy.org or leave a phone/text message on 07989402634
Out of Sight Out of Mind 2025: Comfort & Disturb

The Out of Sight Out of Mind Planning Group are pleased to confirm that the 2025 exhibition planning is well underway! However, there have been some delays which mean that the Call for Art, Submission and Grant Forms will be a little longer. Please get in touch if you would like these sent to you, or look on the website in a few weeks. 

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival theme this year for Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibitors to think about if they would like to is: Comfort & Disturb. 

Visit Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival website to hear what they say about the theme and for more of their news: Home | Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival
For information about the exhibition or to find out about joining the Planning Group, get in touch: exhibition@capsadvocacy.org or leave a message for Pam on 07989402634
Discovery session at Lothian Health Services Archive
At this Discovery Session, Collective Advocacy participants will be showcasing materials related to mental health in the Lothian Health Services Archive. Members of CAPS Collective Advocacy Group Oor Mad History will be bringing their lived experience to draw out the important messaging and stories that can be found within the collections. They invite attendees to engage with them to think about the new perspectives that lived experience can add to research, policy, and advocacy.
Date: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Place: University of Edinburgh Main Library 30 George Square Edinburgh EH8 9LJ
How to register: free to attend, sign up on Eventbrite
A group of people sitting around a table, studying materials, there is an open book resting on a pillow in the front of the picture.
Drug and alcohol Collective Advocacy
Do you live in East Lothian? Do you have experience of using drug or alcohol services? If so, please come along to a collective advocacy meeting and have your voice heard! You can have your say about information and services for people who use drugs or alcohol. You can try to make changes in the way you are treated or the services that you receive. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
Date: Wednesday 30th April
Time: 1.30 to 3pm
Place: room G2 of the Fisherrow Centre, South Street, Musselburgh.
Just come along, or if you’d like to hear more, or have any accessibility needs, contact Amy by email on amy@capsadvocacy.org or call on: 07910 983 030.
Midlothian lived experience panel
Do you live in Midlothian? Do you have experience of using mental health services in Midlothian? Would you like to join a lived experience panel group facilitated by CAPS and attended by Steven Maxwell, Service Development Manager in Midlothian? Refreshments provided as well as a voucher for taking part. 
Dates and times: Monday 28th April 2025 2 to 4pm, Tuesday 22nd July 2025 2 to 4pm, Tuesday 21st October 2025 2 to 4pm, Tuesday 20th January 2026 2 to 4pm
Place: Midlothian Lived Experience Panel Group, The Salon, Midlothian Voluntary Action, 4-8 White Hart St, Dalkeith, EH22 1AE
If you would like to attend please contact Amy to book (as we need numbers attending in advance) email amy@capsadvocacy.org or call or message Amy on 07910 983 030.
Voices of Health Creation 

CAPS Collective Advocacy participants are excited to be hosting a stall at an event in May in the Scottish Parliament with guest speaker Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, Jenni Minto. The CAPS group’s involvement has come as a result of their representation on the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities. It’s vital that people with lived experience of mental health issues are involved in health policy. The Cross Party Group is an important way for participants to represent the voices of lived experience in policy and parliamentary affairs.
Very best wishes from all at CAPS!
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CAPS Independent Advocacy is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Scottish Charity number: SC021772