CAPS is pleased to announce that we’re expanding our work in individual advocacy for adults. Up until now 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, whether in the community or in a hospital. The individual advocacy service is available to people in these areas who are experiencing mental health issues or who need support to have their voice heard because of their use of drugs or alcohol.
This funding enables us to provide individual independent advocacy to more people. It also means that young people using our Children’s Hearings advocacy service who would like support with issues other than their Children’s Hearing, can smoothly transition to receiving individual advocacy for adults from CAPS from the age of 16.
Individual independent advocacy can help people with a range of issues. For example our advocacy workers may support you with:
- Mental Health Tribunals
- Benefits Assessments
- Social Work meetings
- Speaking to your doctor
- Getting advice when you need it e.g. Citizen’s Advice or solicitor
We are independent of all other services such as health, the council and the voluntary sector. This means we are there just to be on your side. Our service is free of charge and provided by trained advocacy workers.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from individual advocacy, you can now make a referral using this form.
