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Welcome to the CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter!
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Experiences of Psychosis: A workshop for professionals
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This workshop about psychosis is delivered by members of CAPS Collective Advocacy group 'Experiences of Psychosis.' This workshop is created and delivered by people who have experienced psychosis, to educate people, tackle stigma and create conversation. This session is for professionals who work with or come into contact with people who experience psychosis in their work.When: Monday 8 June 2pm to 4pmWhere: Norton Park Business and Conference Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5QYMore information and how to book here.
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Experiences of Psychosis: A workshop for everyone
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This workshop about psychosis is delivered by members of CAPS Collective Advocacy group 'Experiences of Psychosis.' This workshop is created and delivered by people who have experienced psychosis, to educate people, tackle stigma and create conversation. This session is for anyone who knows someone who has experienced psychosis and wishes to learn more about it.When: Tuesday 7 July 2pm to 4pmWhere: Norton Park Business and Conference Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5QYMore information and how to book here.
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Experiences of Personality Disorder open meeting
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On Tuesday 19th May from 2.30-16.30pm at Norton Park, our group 'Much More Than A Label,' by and for anyone who may attract the diagnosis of a personality disorder in Edinburgh and the Lothians, is hosting an open meeting.The group have recently finished a consultation about mental health service provision in Edinburgh for people with Borderline Personality Disorder or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. We are hosting this meeting for anyone who may attract these diagnoses, and who has experience of accessing or trying to access support around them in Edinburgh. At this meeting we will:
- Look at the results of our consultation, share our experiences, and our views on next steps.
- Share information about our group's involvement in planning for services in Edinburgh and exploring what people most want and need from services.
- Talk about Collective Advocacy, and how to get involved in our group.
If you would like to attend, or know someone who would, they can get a ticket on Eventbrite, and please email Alex on alex@capsadvocacy.org with any questions.
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Expanded Individual Advocacy service for LGBTQIA+ young people
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We are very pleased to have received new funding from the Henry Smith Foundation from April 2026, to provide independent individual advocacy to young people aged 14-25 who identify as LGBTQIA+. This expands our existing service for adults 18+.You can read more about why this expanded service is so necessary here.
Find out more about eligibility for both the adults' and young people's services at the links below:
- Young People's LGBTQIA+ Advocacy- Adults’ LGBTQIA+ Advocacy
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East Lothian Individual Advocacy now taking referrals from age 16
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Our Individual Advocacy service for people with mental health issues has changed slightly. We’re now providing Individual Advocacy to people with mental health issues in East Lothian from age 16. The service in Midlothian has not changed, it still starts from age 18. Find out more about our Individual Advocacy service for people with mental health issues here.
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Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use
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CAPS has a Collective Advocacy group for people who use drugs or alcohol and live in East Lothian. If this is you, you’re invited to meet and hear from Barry Sheridan from MELDAP (Midlothian and East Lothian Drug and Alcohol Partnership) at the next meeting. Barry is interested to hear what, if anything, people know about the Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use. It will be an interesting discussion, and you can learn more about your rights. Refreshments will be provided.
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When: Tuesday 5th May from 11am to 12.30pm.Where: The Ridge, 1 Black Bull Close (accessed along garden lane from the High Street), Dunbar, EH42 1JHJust come along, or if you want to chat or have any accessibility needs, contact Amy by email on amy@capsadvocacy.org or call on: 07910 983 03
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New Collective Advocacy group for people with Autism and/or ADHD
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We are launching a new Collective Advocacy group here at CAPS, for people with Autism and/or ADHD. We will be hosting a meeting on the 18th May from 11am to 1pm at Norton Park for those interested in being a part of this new group. You do not have to have a formal diagnosis of either Autism or ADHD to join. At this meeting we will be sharing experiences, discussing how the group will work, and planning for a larger public event where we will invite more people to share their experiences and learn more about Collective Advocacy. If you would like to attend this meeting, or would like more information about this project, please email the group facilitator Angharad at angharad@capsadvocacy.org.
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This expansion of our Edinburgh Collective Advocacy work has been made possible by an Improving Access Fund grant from Inspiring Scotland. It is 12 months of funding to improve access and increase participation in our Edinburgh Collective Advocacy work. The aim of the Improving Access Fund is to advance equality for disabled people by supporting projects led by disabled people that align with the social model of disability.
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New group for people with neurological conditions now open
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CAPS’ new Collective Advocacy project for people with neurological conditions is now inviting people to join the group. People with these conditions living in East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian or City of Edinburgh or accessing services in these areas are welcome to get involved. Your voice will help to improve social care services for people with neurological conditions and increase understanding and information about living with these conditions. Being involved will also help you to increase your awareness and understanding of your rights and options. People who participate in Collective Advocacy at CAPS value the sense of community and purpose it creates and how it helps to reduce isolation. If you are able, please spread the word about this new service! Find out more here.
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Adult Support and Protection in East Lothian and Midlothian
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Do you live in East Lothian or Midlothian?If you’ve been involved in Adult Support and Protection, we’d really like to hear from you.CAPS will be setting up local groups who will speak directly with Alan Laughland, Adult Support and Protection Lead Officer.Come along and tell us what it was like to go through this process. What worked well? What needs to change to improve the process for the future?Help ensure people stay safe and protected. Your voice can make a difference.A thank you voucher will be offered for your participation. Contact us for more details: elli@capsadvocacy.orgor call or message Elli on 07948 740 164
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Oor Mad History at Madness and Creativity conference
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The Oor Mad History group are excited to be having a stall at Figments: Madness, Health and Creativity conference in Glasgow on 15th June. You can book tickets for the conference if you’d like to catch up with the group. They’ll be choosing some materials from the Oor Mad History archive to bring along that you can explore.
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Thank you for supporting the Out of Sight Out of Mind fundraiser
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We’re delighted that so many people supported the recent fundraiser for Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition. A huge THANK YOU to all who donated, shared and cheered it on! At the time of writing, the total raised from your efforts is £4,498. The GoFundMe will stay live for as long as possible, so it can still be shared and people can donate. Find it here.Watch this space to find out what the Planning Group organise with this and with any other funds they raise in the next few months. Every penny will be used to create an opportunity for people with mental health issues, using art, in 2026.Thank you to and from everyone in the community that make OOSOOM happen.‘it allows the invisible to become visible and gives a voice to the unheard’
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Where Real Change Happens: Arts As Advocacy in Edinburgh
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During the campaign to support Out of Sight Out of Mind, Marta of the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance wrote this wonderful article. It’s a really good read and describes how art can be a powerful vehicle for collective advocacy, centring people’s stories and driving real change.
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Community Voices report sent to candidates
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CAPS has sent a recent report from Collective Advocacy group Community Voices to candidates and councillors in advance of the 2026 Holyrood elections. The Community Drop-in Services in Edinburgh report shows the power of Collective Advocacy. The group, made up of people with mental health issues, were concerned that many drop-ins and community spaces closed after the pandemic. The Collective Advocacy group felt that the closure of drop-ins could have an effect on people’s mental health. They also felt that the impact of drop-in spaces hadn't been recorded in a way that covered all of Edinburgh. So they decided to find out more about the relationship between drop-in services and mental health.Their report brings together results from over 100 people surveyed. It provides important evidence for the positive mental health benefits of community drop-ins. It also offers recommendations for city leaders on how to improve provision of these services to help people stay well. This is an example of how people with mental health issues, through advocacy, follow their own agenda and have their voices heard. You can read the report 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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