As part of The Alliance’s ‘Future of Social Care’ series, VOX Scotland’s Chair, Douglas Pickering, penned a guest blog reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for those with mental ill-health within the National Care Service consultation.
The blog covers a range of issues, including the need for an end to the ‘postcode lottery’ of service provision in different areas of Scotland and the ambition for a National Care Service that is flexible and adaptable – one which recognises that levels of support needed, even for one individual, are likely to fluctuate over time.
Douglas notes that social care should be rights-based and it should be empowering. But in order for this to become a reality for all we need a significant boost in investment and support for the workforce, provision of additional services that provide support pre-crisis, and meaningful involvement of those with lived experience to co-produce solutions.
This blog was shaped by member feedback from engagement work which Paula Fraser (VOX Development Officer) has been undertaking. If you would like to find out more, or have your views heard in VOX Scotland’s response to the National Care Service consultation, please contact Paula on pfraser@mentalhealth.org.uk
not all service users have a personal assistant, until joining VOXScotland i didnt know there was such a thing, that didnt involve a gym, also not all service users have any sort of support, i as one only have support cos ive maybe had a good day through this pandemic and had the mind strength to ask for assistance, which i very rarely do, if it wasnt for my good days which are few and far between, i would have no 1 checking up on me, ive had mental heath issues for over 12 years, im lucky that in the last 4 years ive had the mental health network (greater glasgow) as my support. and im a very verbal person when it comes to speaking up for mental heath issues when weve done focus groups, ive hit panic attacks walking into groups when ive known most people, but when i go into a group of various NHS officials at events 15 to 30 strong i am on top of the world i give my everything, ive had people at the end of these event stand up and clap me cos my emotions show, ive had it bad in 12 years, but i try to fight to help others, i dont mind if my email is used, do as you wish with my comment. as long as i get heard. wendy mcAusland invited me to join Vox.