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Welcome to the first CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter of the year!
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“People’s needs might change but their rights never do!”
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The People’s Conference brings together people with experience of mental health issues to discuss what’s important to them. The 2025 conference was about human rights and the report from the conference has now been published! Conference attendees said that it was important to have a say in services and development, to support the realisation of people’s human rights. They recognised that Collective Advocacy provides this opportunity. They also felt prevention rather than reaction was very important in mental health. Others discussed human rights specifically in psychiatric hospital. People talked about compulsory treatment, detention, capacity and consent all being linked to human rights. There were many other discussions and opinions shared (and a 'laughter yoga' session!) – download the report to find out more.
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Individual Advocacy for people who identify as LGBTQIA+
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CAPS can support people living in East Lothian, Midlothian or Edinburgh, aged between 18-65 who identify as LGBTQIA+. In the LGBTQIA+ community you may have experiences where you didn’t feel you were listened to, understood or treated fairly by services because of your identity. An individual advocacy worker is there to be by your side to support you to say how you feel and what you want to happen, and help you to have a stronger voice with other services. We can help you to have your voice heard in all sorts of issues. This could include: gender identity clinic appointments; speaking to your doctor; raising issues with services when you’ve had a bad experience and lots more. Find out more here.
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More than just a cuppa! Launch events
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We recently brought you news about an important report created by Collective Advocacy group Community Voices. Their report is about the provision of drop-in services in Edinburgh and the importance of community spaces for mental wellbeing. The group is delighted to invite you to launch events to share their findings. Come along and speak to the group and collective advocacy staff, and discuss what we can do next. At the in-person event there will be refreshments and activities. Both events are open to anyone, including members of the public, service staff and volunteers and decision makers. As part of our Collective Advocacy work, the events will be a non-judgemental space which prioritises voices of lived experience.There will be an in-person event on Tuesday 17th February, 2 to 4 pm at SMCRC Dalry, Edinburgh. Link to rsvp here.There will be an online event on Tuesday 24th February. Link to rsvp here.Find out more and download the report here.
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LGBTQIA+ Zine-Making
Workshop
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All LGBTQIA+ adults were once LGBTQIA+ children. In this event you’ll take inspiration from your lived experience of growing up, to make a zine to pass on to the next generation. We will scan your zine and distribute it as a resource for young people or people who work with young people. This can be anonymous if you prefer. It will be a relaxed afternoon of intergenerational queer solidarity and an opportunity to explore your experiences through the art of zine-making – no zine-making experience necessary!
Date: Saturday 21st February, 2 to 4 pm
Venue: Duncan Place Community Hub, 4 Duncan Pl, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 8HW
To book contact Angharad angharad@capsadvocacy.org 07989 402 612.
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Collective Advocacy participants meet Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing
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Collective Advocacy participants came from far and wide this month to tell Tom Arthur MSP, Scotland’s Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, about the value of Collective Advocacy. People spoke about how decision-makers need to know what it’s like to experience services, including mental health services. As one person said: “I wouldn’t make a decision without knowing anything about it”. Collective Advocacy helps educate decision-makers through lived experience. People shared their own experiences and questioned the Minister, particularly about funding threats to Collective Advocacy. Thank you to SIAA and VOX, the Minister and everyone else involved for an important and inspiring event. According to one attendee, Collective Advocacy is “the only place where people facing the deepest inequalities find their voice”.
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Coming soon to McDonald Road Library: can you hear us?
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We’re delighted to say that you’ll soon be able to hear the voices of people with experience of mental health issues in McDonald Road Library! These sound recordings of people speaking about their experiences were made at the People’s Conference in 2024. They’re grouped into four themes: ‘power dynamics’; ‘helping others’; ‘self care and challenges’; and ‘working on our terms’. You can find out more about the recordings and listen to them all here. Or look out for listening stations in McDonald Road library coming soon!
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Lived experience of addiction zine published
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The first in a series of zines created by people with experience of addiction has been published! The zine contains lived experience personal stories and has been made with the support of MELDAP staff and Access to Industry. CAPS Collective Advocacy group for people with experience of drugs or alcohol will contribute a summary of their work to the zine. One of the members of CAPS’ Musselburgh group is part of the creative photography group who are supplying the images for the zine. Look out for it in libraries in East Lothian and the Brunton in Musselburgh. Some will also be given out at the Esk Centre.
Find out more about CAPS' Collective Advocacy group for people who use drugs or alcohol here.
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Survey extended! Have your say!
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Much More Than A Label (MMTAL), a Collective Advocacy group for people with personality disorders, have extended the deadline to respond to their survey until 10 February. Take the survey at the links below to help improve services.
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- 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!
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Veterans’ Voices Working Together
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CAPS Independent Advocacy is a partner in Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance. Our role, as an Independent Advocacy provider is to ensure that the voices of as many veterans as possible are heard and amplified in the design and delivery of the work of the Alliance. In the final event of three, veterans are invited to discuss what we have found out so far. We’ll be continuing the conversation about what it means to be a veteran, the transition to civilian life, navigating services and whatever else is important to you, your family and other veterans. Booking is required as lunch is provided - please contact Steven to book - steven@capsadvocacy.org. text: 07929751911. Please inform Steven of any dietary requirements.
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Collective Advocacy for people with neurological conditions
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We're delighted to give you advance notice that CAPS will be starting a one year pilot project this year to provide Collective Advocacy for people with neurological conditions. People whose physical ability is affected by conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease, Epilepsy, Stroke and Cerebral Palsy will benefit from this innovative advocacy project. We’ll be making a formal announcement soon so look out for that on our website, the project starts on the 1st April 2026.
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Help amplify marginalised people's voices!
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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!
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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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