|
Welcome to the last CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter of the year!
|
|
|
|
Much More Than A Label (MMTAL), a Collective Advocacy group for people with personality disorders, are aware that people with Borderline Personality Disorder or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (BPD/EUPD) living in Edinburgh may have few places to turn to for support. They’ve come together to write a survey to gather the evidence they need to advocate for improving mental health services for people with these conditions. They’re excited to hear from so many in our community about such an important issue.
|
|
|
- Are you a person with BPD or EUPD who lives in Edinburgh? Please take MMTAL’s survey about your experiences of mental health services in Edinburgh here!
- Are you a mental health professional in Edinburgh who works directly with people with BPD or EUPD? Please take MMTAL’s survey about your experiences at work here!
|
Your anonymous views will be used to create a report for service providers about how people with BPD/EUPD are supported by mental health services in Edinburgh. By giving a few minutes of your time filling in the survey you’ll be helping our advocacy work asking for the best possible support for people with personality disorders in Edinburgh. If you have any questions, or would like to share your experiences in another way, please get in touch with the group’s facilitator, Alex, at alex@capsadvocacy.org.
|
|
|
|
People's Conference photos
|
|
|
|
Every year the Lothian Voices Collective Advocacy group organises the People’s Conference. People with mental health issues come together at the conference to discuss what’s important to them. This year it was all about human rights. The group’s facilitator, Amy, is furiously working on the report which we’ll share with you soon. In the meantime here’s a few pics of people discussing and sharing experiences – and having fun doing it!
|
|
|
|
Oor Mad History: two exciting public events coming up
|
|
|
The Oor Mad History project has two exciting events coming up! First is the Understanding Oor Mad History community workshop on Wednesday 3rd December 1.30pm-3.30pm. Led by the Oor Mad History collective advocacy group, this workshop walks participants through an overview of Mad Studies terminology, the history and activism of the Lothian Mental Health Service User Movement, and how it paved the way to the Oor Mad History project today. We will also connect and learn from each other through discussion questions and group work.Second is the Understanding Oor Mad History course: a free five-week community Mad Studies course based in the University of Edinburgh. The course will start on Tuesday 27th January 2026 and then run on Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February. Participants will go through five weeks of learning, discussion and community building, as well as having the chance to work with unique collections from the Lothian Health Services Archives.If you would be interested to learn more about either of these opportunities, then please get in touch with azra@capsadvocacy.org.
|
|
|
|
Here & Now lived experience of trauma workshop
|
|
|
Here and Now is a lived experience workshop 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. We’ll think through the importance of practicing self-care and realising the ability to grow, whilst valuing the richness, creativity and diversity in who we all are. The workshop is a supportive, informal environment that is open to anyone. The workshop is free to attend but booking is essential. You can book on Eventbrite.For further information and queries or if you prefer to book by email please contact Elil at elil@capsadvocacy.org. or on 07971951520.
|
|
|
|
Are you, or do you know, a veteran living in Scotland?
|
|
|
It’s important that our veterans Collective Advocacy work reaches into every part of Scotland so that veterans throughout the country can have their say on veterans’ services. To help make this possible our Collective Advocacy worker, Steven, is inviting responses to a quick survey. If you’re a veteran yourself please fill in the survey now, it only takes a few minutes. We're also asking all readers to please help Steven by forwarding this newsletter to any veterans or veterans’ organisations that you know and asking them to fill in the survey here. The information we collect will feed into the work of Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance – helping to make sure that the services that are provided for veterans meet the needs of veterans! Alternatively contact Steven on steven@capsadvocacy.org or call or text him on 07929 751 911. You can find out more about this Collective Advocacy project here.
|
|
|
Coming up! An event for Scotland’s veterans at Gordon Barracks in Aberdeen. The event is on 27th November from 11am to 4pm. You can find out more and sign up on Eventbrite or contact Steven on steven@capsadvocacy.org or call or text him on 07929 751 911.
|
|
|
|
Research into community spaces and drop-ins in relation to mental health
|
|
|
Over several years Community Voices have come together with the shared goal of improving services in Edinburgh for people with mental health issues. Community Voices is a Collective Advocacy group facilitated by CAPS for people with lived experience of mental health issues living in Edinburgh. One of the most important issues to the group has been considering the eroding of drop-in services and community spaces in relation to people's mental health. This report looks at why drop-ins are important and what the group thinks needs to be done to improve access to them.The consultation, designed by Community Voices, was able to reach a wide and diverse range of Edinburgh's population. It provides a wealth of information of the different aspects of what drop-ins within communities can provide for people, how they are being used, who is using them and where the gaps are.
Read the report here.
|
|
|
|
Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition has happened!
|
|
|
Phenomenal, amazing, electric, magnificent, raw, beautiful, important, are among words that have been and are still being used to describe it. The final tally of exhibition visitors over 16 days was an amazing 2647! The biggest thank you to everyone who brought their artwork to be part of Out of Sight Out of Mind 2025. It was another powerful and unique exhibition, and it would not have been possible without all the art, made by you. Thank you from the OOSOOM team. A few pics below of the launch and have a look and contribute to: What does it mean to you?
|
|
|
|
Drug & Alcohol Individual Advocacy
|
|
|
Did you know that CAPS’ Individual Advocacy team supports people who need help to have their voices heard because of drug or alcohol use? In Individual Advocacy we work with people who may find it hard to speak up or may feel they are not being listened to in decisions about their lives. If you are affected by drug or alcohol use our advocacy workers can support you to: prepare for and attend meetings; have your say; get information you need to help you make your own choices and understand your options. Someone coming to CAPS’ Drug & Alcohol Advocacy service does not also need to identify as having a mental health issue. In the service’s last reporting year we helped 76 people make their own choices in 89 different issues. In the words of one person accessing the service: “Definitely [CAPS made a difference], they wouldn’t look at me before [my advocacy worker] got involved. They didn’t treat me like a person.” Find out more here.
|
|
|
Wow, 2025 is almost a wrap! Seems like it’s flown by! CAPS faced some major challenges during the year in an environment with growing demand for Independent Advocacy. You can read about all we’ve been up to, including the challenges, in our Annual Report. The photo below is of Collective Advocacy group member, Andrew, sharing his insights at the CAPS conference 'In our shoes' that took place in May 2025.
|
|
|
|
Festive party for Collective Advocacy participants
|
|
|
We’d like to invite everyone who’s been involved in Collective Advocacy this year to a seasonal get together on Tuesday 16th of December between 4pm and 6pm. There’ll be mulled wine (non-alcoholic!) festive nibbles and cheesy Christmas music!If you would like to come along please get in touch with Catherine, catherine@capsadvocacy.org as we need to let Norton Park reception know who is coming so that everyone can get a pass to get in! Please note this is for CAPS’ Collective Advocacy participants only.
|
|
|
|
Job vacancy for a Collective Advocacy Worker
|
|
|
CAPS is looking for a new Collective Advocacy worker to facilitate the work of the Seen But Not Heard - Experiences of Eating Disorders group. The role is to ensure people’s voices are heard by decision-makers locally. The group has developed its own priorities by drawing on their experiences to bring about change and improve attitudes and services.
- 16 hours per week (Fixed term until 31 March 2027)
- Salary: £25,778 - £28,533 per annum FTE, Starting salary: £11,377
- Based in Edinburgh, some home working possible
The closing date for applications is Thursday 4th December 2025 at 12 noon.Everything you need to apply is here.If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Catherine Street catherine@capsadvocacy.org.
|
|
|
|
Help amplify marginalised people's voices!
|
|
|
|
At CAPS we’re really glad that you read this newsletter and we enjoy putting together all the items that we share with you every couple of months. We’d love to see you on our social media as well! If you haven't done so already please follow us to stay connected with a community that values the power of people’s voices. In-between newsletters you’ll get updates on our advocacy work and find opportunities to get involved. Your support strengthens our reach and helps amplify marginalised people’s voices—so give us a follow!
|
|
|
|
Very best wishes from all at CAPS!
|
|
|
CAPS Independent Advocacy is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Scottish Charity number: SC021772 |
|
|
|
|
