SERVICE DETAILS
Everyone in Scotland experiencing mental health difficulties is entitled to independent advocacy.
In Edinburgh AdvoCard provides individual advocacy for anyone experiencing mental health issues, whether they are living at home or are an inpatient in one of the hospitals.
We recognise that it can be difficult to explain to other people how you feel and what you want to happen next. It can be hard to know what options you have and to make sure you are included in decisions about you, and what happens while in hospital and when you are discharged. We also know how difficult it is to understand what your rights are, when facing new situations, and how to use those rights effectively.
Independent advocacy can support you to have your voice heard and your views taken into account in decisions about your care and treatment.
We can:
- Listen to your views and understand what you need
- Talk to you about your options and rights
- Arrange meetings with doctors, lawyers, social worker and others
- Help you prepare for Mental Health Tribunals, and attend them with you
- Make sure you have the information you need about benefits, housing or other issues affecting you
- Help you make sense of what is happening
- Be there and be on your side
We also offer help around issues such as writing an Advance Statement, the role of a Named Person, all aspects of being detained or given compulsory treatment.
AdvoCard has a team of staff based at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
We can visit you in hospital, make an appointment to see you at our office, or meet you somewhere else that suits you. We can speak to you by phone or by video call and work with you to decide on the next step and how we may be able to help.
If you would like to speak to one of our advocacy workers please contact us.
