CAPS Staff

I am the Education as Advocacy Manager. I started working here in October 2014. My role is to support groups of people who access Mental Health services Lothian, to highlight issues that are important to people and help them to have their voices heard where decisions are being made in order to bring about positive change. I also work with a group of people with experience of trauma who are interested in influencing the set up of Lothian’s new trauma centre – Rivers Centre. When I’m not at work I love to spend time with my husband and son, usually doing something outrageous…potentially dangerous but always hugely fun! I love singing and dancing and kick box fitness!

Email address: ele@capsadvocacy.org

Mobile number: 07948 740 158

I have previously been involved with CAPS as a volunteer and public artist. I am now the Arts as Advocacy Manager. I work with the Planning Group to organise Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition and support the participation of individuals in the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. I believe that the arts are a powerful tool for advocacy, as well as to provoke thought and discussion on important issues. As well as the arts, other passions of mine are outdoors pursuits and learning to sew.

Email address: pam@capsadvocacy.org

Mobile number: 07989 402 634

I started working for CAPS in July 2022. I am a Collective Advocacy Worker, working with two groups: the Experiences of Psychosis project for people who have experiences of psychosis, and the Much More Than a Label project for people who might attract a diagnosis of a personality disorder. The aim of these projects is for people who identify in these groups to come together, have a collective voice and create change. In the past these groups have created a toolkit, produced a film and designed and delivered lived experience workshops. Before CAPS, I was researching informal hierarchies within structurally “equal” groups, and thinking about how everyone’s voice can be heard in group decision-making. For fun you can find me swimming (usually in a pool, but occasionally I brave a wild swim), promoting the direct democracy co-operative model, or walking my border collie.

Email address: molly@capsadvocacy.org

Mobile number: 07989 402 612

I came to CAPS in October 2022 in my role as Collective Advocacy Worker. I am responsible for the ‘Oor Mad History’ group, where the focus is on community history. Understanding the road travelled by people with mental health issues, both inside and outside the tent of collective advocacy, is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and purpose going forward.

Writing is a passion of mine, and I can often be found in my spare time frowning at a Word document. I also enjoy having friends over for dinner and a glass of homemade elderflower wine.

Email address: benjamin@capsadvocacy.org

Mobile number: 07910 983 030

I joined CAPS in October 2022 as the collective advocacy worker for two projects: the Seen But Not Heard group for people with experiences of eating disorders, and the Experiences of Trauma group. I am excited to be working to give people with lived experience a voice in an unequal society. I believe collective advocacy is an important way to challenge power imbalances.

My background is in anthropology, research, human rights advocacy and LGBTIQ activism. Before joining CAPS, I was researching transgender mental health and citizenship in the UK. In my free time, I run a queer hiking group Edinburgh Queer Hiking, and you will most often find me exploring the outdoors, painting, cold-water swimming or (slowly) learning to skateboard. I will be working a full day on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and half a day on Tuesday (morning).

Email address: ellis@capsadvocacy.org

Mobile number: 07971 951 519

I started working for CAPS in May 2023 as a Collective Advocacy Worker for Midlothian and East Lothian. The project aims to enable people who have lived experience of mental health issues to come together in solidarity in order to enact positive change in mental health policy making and provision of services. My role is to amplify the powerful voices of these communities and focus on the issues most important to them.

I am a mad activist currently undergoing my masters in Mad Studies. In the past I was a volunteer for CAPS and have contributed artwork and writing for different projects. In my spare time I enjoy poorly trying to emulate Tom Waits through my singing and nurturing my love/hate relationship with creative writing.

Email address: azra@capsadvocacy.org

Mobile number: 07436 102 762

I joined CAPS in May 2023 as the Collective Advocacy Worker for Veterans. I facilitate the Veterans Advisory Group, which informs and actively participates in The Scottish Veterans Wellbeing Alliance. Coordinating and amplifying the voices of UK veterans and their families within Scotland, we aim to steer the growth of services and programs within Scotland, assist veterans to share their perspectives for the benefit of the community, to challenge stigmas and take ownership of the life-after-service narrative.

I am both a US Army combat veteran and a military spouse. I enjoy connecting with veterans across the country and helping them use their lived experiences and perspectives to make a positive impact.

My background is in international affairs and the research of social networks. Outside of work, I can usually be found out and about with my family and my enormous dog. (I’d take my dog with me everywhere if I could!) I also love being crafty, doing puzzles and anything that gets me outside.

I am the Individual Advocacy Team Leader and my role is to support the Adult Team at CAPS. My background is working in the Drug & Alcohol field. I have worked in a variety of different aspects including specialist harm reduction, prison and prescribing. I have had a number of different roles including Harm Reduction Worker and Drugs Commissioning Officer. I have experience of managing both young people’s and adult services. Most recently my role has been leading a team raising awareness of women and gambling related harms and impacts. Working for CAPS and providing independent advocacy is an exciting new chapter for me. I am enjoying supporting individuals to have their voices heard and make their own choices in matters relating to their health and wellbeing.

In my spare time I love spending time with my daughter, friends and family, all things Marvel and being creative.

I joined the CAPs team in October 2022 as the Children and Young People’s Team Leader. I am really excited to be a part of CAPS and my role will involve supporting and leading the individual advocacy workers as well as providing advocacy to children and young people who are experiencing the children’s hearing system. Also through our new service which is working with children and young people who are experiencing an eating disorder. Our work is to support children and young people to have their voice heard, share their wishes and views and make choices about their lives.

My background is working with children, young people and adults with additional support needs, providing person centred support that promotes individuals to live fulfilling lives. I have experience of managing and leading a team that provides support to young adults with additional support needs living in their own homes.
My role at CAPs is an exciting new chapter for me.

In my free time I enjoy catching up with friends and family especially over a coffee and cake! I like to exercise and go on holiday to warm places! 

I joined CAPS in September 2022 as an Individual Advocacy Worker, after finishing my undergraduate degree in Psychology. I’m really excited to be a part of CAPS’ work in extending adult services to include 16- and 17-year-olds in Midlothian and East Lothian. Supporting others in putting their opinions across and having their voices heard is especially meaningful to me. I’ve previously worked with adults affected by the long-term health effects of drug and/or alcohol use, and I was also part of a collective advocacy project for young people who have experienced CAMHS care in Midlothian. Outside of work you’ll find me spending time with my friends and family (and cats), making collages (very messily), and singing with my (super cheesy) a cappella group!

I joined the CAPS team in September 2022 where I stepped into a whole new role and service developed by CAPS as the named Individual Advocacy Worker for Adults with Eating Disorders working across Edinburgh and Lothians. I support individuals in both the community and inpatient admissions within eating disorder and mental health services. I have a deep understanding of eating disorders with over 20 years of insight from a lived experience background. My role is to support individuals experiencing eating disorders in the best way I possibly can by helping to amplify their voice if they feel they are struggling to be heard and to be on their side.

I aim to help voice the views and wishes of those experiencing an eating disorder, promoting them to be seen and heard as a person… “not an eating disorder”.

Outside of CAPS, I also work as a Les Mills group fitness instructor where I teach 16 group exercises classes a week in various gyms which I love. I am so very lucky to be working in roles that I am extremely passionate about and hold very closely to my heart, where both are so much more than “just a job” and about helping others. I also love animals and have a huge passion for horses.

I joined CAPS as an Individual Advocacy Worker (drug and alcohol) on 2nd November 2020. I am excited about the non-judgemental approach at CAPS and its stress upon non-stigmatising language. I am keen to adopt a practice which is not about giving people advice but about supporting them making informed choices and then either advocating on their own behalf or asking for me to advocate on their behalf. I like the idea of people having somebody who is on their side and in this instance me on behalf of CAPS. I have been an adult educator, community development worker, youth worker and support worker for 39 years and now looking forward to developing new skills as an Independent Advocate. For fun I like running, cycling, playing guitar and singing loudly!

I started with CAPS as a Collective Advocacy Worker on the Seen But Not Heard eating disorder project. I moved over to the Individual Advocacy Team (Drug and Alcohol) in July 2021. I am very passionate about working alongside people to enable them to have their views heard in relation to decisions about their life. I really enjoy working at CAPS and am excited about undertaking this new role. Outside of work I like spending time outdoors, usually walking, cycling and horse riding. I’m originally from Ireland so I often travel back there to visit my family too.

I joined CAPS in September 2022 as Children and Young People’s Individual Advocacy Worker for Lothian and Scottish Borders. My role is to support Children and Young People experiencing an eating disorder to have as much choice and control as possible over their care and treatment. Also, to help them how their views and wishes heard which could be about any other aspects of their life e.g. education.

Prior to joining CAPS I worked with Children and Young People with Autism or a learning disability in an residential setting. I also completed my degree in Sociology and Criminology. Outside of work I enjoy travelling to new places, exercising and spending time with my family, friends and dog.

I joined CAPS in August 2022 as Children and Young People’s Individual Advocacy Worker having previously worked with children within a school setting. My role is to provide Individual Advocacy to Children & Young People within East Lothian & Midlothian who are experiencing the Children’s Hearing System. We support them to express their views and wishes and to be fully involved in any decisions affecting their lives.

In my spare time I like to spend time with my children and cat. I also love being out in nature and swimming in the sea.

I joined CAPS in November 2021 as a Children and Young People’s Individual Advocacy Worker. I support children and young people who are experiencing the Children’s Hearing system. Before I joined CAPS, I spent 4 years studying for my Law degree. During my degree, I studied family and child law which educated me on Advocacy work and the Children’s Hearing system. Throughout my life I have helped care for my brother who has learning difficulties, which has given me lots of experience to work with vulnerable people. When I’m not working, you will find me baking, walking outdoors or spending time with my friends and family.

I am the Personnel & Administration Officer at CAPS. I joined CAPS in March 2023. I will be supporting the staff within CAPS with personnel, IT and administrative duties along with assisting the Finance and Administration Manager. Outside of work I enjoy walking, swimming, going to the theatre and spending time with friends and family.