Welcome
Welcome to the CAPS Independent Advocacy newsletter, read on for news about men and eating disorders, the publication of a new report about meaningful involvement of people with experiences of mental health issues, an award for Experiences of Psychosis group and more!
Experiences of Psychosis group wins award
We are delighted to congratulate CAPS' Experiences of Psychosis Collective Advocacy group who have been selected for an Inspiring Volunteer Award. The award was presented at a ceremony by The Rt. Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh. The awards recognise the achievements of volunteers across Edinburgh. Well done to all the wonderful volunteers and participants who have led and contributed to the work of the group! Find out how to get involved.
The Experiences of Psychosis logo
People's Conference report published

The People’s Conference is an event organised by and for people with lived experience of mental health issues. 

The 2021 conference was all about meaningful involvement; what it means and how it should be done. The conference discussed the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience of mental health issues in how decisions are made, services are designed and delivered. The groups on the day brought lots of points on what the difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘meaningful involvement’ meant to them.

Being seen as a whole person, a distinct identity within any shared space, and finding ways to incorporate this as a collective, was important to people. Having joint clear intentions is also vital for meaningful involvement. People told us that they often feel as though, even if they are listened to, it is without intent. Goals should be agreed and shared at the start of any process.

Find out more about people’s views in the full report.
Men and eating disorders
Seen But Not Heard project has opened a survey to contribute to their research into men and eating disorders. Seen But Not Heard is a collective advocacy group for people with personal experience of eating disorders. The group is based in Lothian and facilitated by CAPS Independent Advocacy. The group works to promote the voice of people with lived experience of eating disorders, to raise awareness and campaign for change.

This survey is about men with experience of eating disorders. The group is carrying out this research to highlight the experiences of men with eating disorders and promote improvements in services available to them.

Read more and access the survey.
Extension of Individual Advocacy 
CAPS is pleased to announce that we’re expanding our work in individual advocacy for adults. Until recently we have only been able to provide adults’ individual advocacy to people aged from 18 years. Now, we’re able to reduce the lower age limit to 16 years, allowing us to work with younger adults for the first time.

New funding from The Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Funds in both Midlothian and East Lothian makes this expansion in our work possible. As a result, we now provide independent individual advocacy to those aged 16-65 living in East Lothian or Midlothian. Find out more. 
Oor Mad History celebrations
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended the launch of the book Oor Mad History Ten Years On. You helped to make it a wonderful celebration! The project reclaims and promotes the history of activism and collective advocacy by people with mental health issues. The book Oor Mad History Ten Years On is the second that the group have published. The group's volunteers and allies spoke at the event. Find out more.
A table with Oor Mad History books and bunting
A number of people chatting at the Oor Mad History book launch
Get involved with art as advocacy
Call for Art
People who have personal lived experience of mental health issues are invited to submit an artwork to the Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition, held in October 2022 at Summerhall in Edinburgh. Submissions due by: 12pm Monday 25 July 2022
More information and download a form. Get in touch: by email pam@capsadvocacy.org or phone 07989402634.

Join the Out of Sight Out of Mind Planning Group
The Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition is organised by people who have lived experience of mental health issues. They meet approximately twice a month, currently on Zoom, in the lead up to the exhibition. They direct and plan the work, they make decisions as a group about the many aspects of the exhibition and undertake specific tasks at Summerhall. Get in touch: email Madhu Venugopal the Peer and Volunteer Worker at CAPS madhu@capsadvocacy.org.

Artworks below by Jenny Jones (left) and Tim Kirman (right)
A wall painting of a shoal of fish, an artwork 'Different is the new normal' by Jenny Jones.
An artwork made of teabags 'Documents of daily routine' by Tim Kirman
New resource from CAPS' LGBTQI+ group
After almost a year of hard work, the LGBTQI+ Collective Advocacy group at CAPS is pleased to announce the launch of the LGBT+ Mental Health Audit tool and resources, created in partnership with LGBT Health and Wellbeing.

The audit tool is for any organisation/service working with people with mental health issues who would like to ensure a more inclusive practice for people from the LGBTQI+ community. Keep an eye on the CAPS website for the launch event coming up soon. To find out more about this event and the audit tool, contact Mohasin Ahmed at mohasin@capsadvocacy.org
Recruitment
CAPS is currently recruiting for a number of posts which are listed below

Individual Advocacy Team Leader. Closing date 16th June 2022 at 12 noon.

Individual Advocacy Worker (maternity cover). Closing date 7th July 2022 at 12 noon.

Children & Young People’s Individual Advocacy Workers. Closing date 14th July 2022 at 12 noon.
Very best wishes from all at CAPS!
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About CAPS
CAPS Independent Advocacy is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Scottish Charity number: SC021772