ABOUT VOX
All the gen on VOX – its governance, structure and purposeVOX Scotland is Scotland’s national voice on mental health – we represent our members’ views to Scotland’s politicians and health professionals to make sure Scotland’s laws and mental health services reflect service user needs and interests. VOX is Scotland’s only national mental health advocacy organisation run by service users for service users.
INTRODUCTION
VOX stands for Voices of eXperience, and VOX was formed to ensure that the voices of people with a lived experience of mental illness can actively:
– shape Scotland’s laws
– influence service design and delivery
– promote a better understanding of mental illness in wider society
– advance the general interests of people with mental health issues.
VOX provides collective advocacy at the Scottish national level – representing groups and communities with a lived experience of mental illness – and we also support individuals to form their own groups to express their experiences in their own words. Building capacity is a key part of the VOX mission and we’ve supported user-led mental health groups in Orkney and Aberdeen to get up and running.
In some ways, VOX acts as an intermediary between the people, Scotland’s Government and health and social care services. We try to promote a good ‘fit’ between mental health services and laws to ensure that everyone benefits and public money is spent wisely.
We don’t provide individual advocacy, counselling, home support or care services – we exist to represent our members’ views at the national level to health professionals and politicians. We don’t have a vested interest in service provision and this enables us to represent our members’ views without referring to financial considerations or a political agenda.
VOX represents at the national level across all mental health issues and works in partnership with local/regional groups and thematic mental health organisations (e.g. Bipolar Scotland). We don’t compete with local groups and encourage all our members to think about joining local groups and organisations. Learn more about VOX group members and associate members .
VOX is a member-led organisation and any individual with a lived experience of mental illness (past or present) can join – a ‘formal’ medical diagnosis is not required. The VOX Board considers membership applications at its regular monthly meetings and is very welcoming and inclusive – individuals living with mental health issues are often ‘locked out’ of mainstream society and VOX challenges this exclusion. Apply for individual membership if you think VOX might be good for you.
Mental health groups led by service users or individuals with a lived experience of mental illness can apply to become VOX group members. Learn more about VOX group membership.
Mental health groups led by health professionals, volunteers or carers can apply to become VOX associate members. Learn more about VOX associate membership.
VOX members decide VOX priorities at our two national members’ meetings per year and VOX staff implement these priorities on a day to day basis. Our Board consists of twelve VOX members with a lived experience of mental illness plus three nominated members with special expertise in mental health issues. Learn more about VOX governance, the Board of Directors and VOX staff.
WHAT VOX PROVIDES
VOX doesn’t offer individual advocacy and we don’t provide specialist mental health services. We represent VOX members’ views to Government, Parliament, the NHS and wider society and we support and enable VOX members to express their views in their own words. We implement VOX policies decided at our national members’ meetings and undertake research on mental health issues.
Learn more about our national members meetings, our AGM, our regional meetings, our capacity building and the VOX BOX newsletter by opening up any of the boxes below.
NATIONAL MEMBERS MEETINGS
VOX holds two national members’ meetings per year – our September AGM and a Jan/Feb winter event. These meetings establish VOX priorities and we capture our members’ views through inclusive methods. We hold our national meetings in a range of locations (Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Edinburgh etc) to fulfill VOX’s remit as Scotland’s national voice and all VOX members are warmly invited to attend these meetings.
Each national meeting is themed around a key mental health issue, or a particular theme. The last two members meetings have been Feeding the Soul (September 2017) which looked at topics around well-being, and broader/alternative approaches to mental health. The most recent meeting was entitled Finding Common Ground (February 2018) which focused around coming together on issues our members want to see change.
VOX members’ meetings address major mental health issues but they’re also friendly and informal. We hope these meetings give VOX members an opportunity to meet and make new friends – it’s good to know you’re not alone in the world!
MEETINGS OUTWITH THE CENTRAL BELT
VOX is Scotland’s national voice on mental health and while our office is based in Glasgow, we work hard to represent Scotland as a whole – not just the central belt. To achieve this, we work with our group members, and have in the past ran events in areas of Scotland where there is less involvement in having a say on mental health.
BUILDING CAPACITY
VOX capacity-building takes two forms and we do everything we can to support VOX members to express their own views in their own words. Firstly, we support VOX members to attend training events to acquire skills that will assist them to express their views in public. In the past, we’ve supported VOX members to attend training events on public speaking, conducting research, developing organisations, co-production and working in partnership. Active citizens contribute to a healthy society and we do everything we can to promote this. If you’d like to access training opportunities, please contact the VOX office on 0141 572 1663 or info@voxscotland.org.uk
VOXBOX
VOX produces a regular members’ newsletter (VOXBOX) to foster a sense of community among VOX members, share views on mental health and support the development of an informal network among Scottish mental health organisations. VOX members decide the editorial focus for each edition so if you’d like to suggest a theme for a future newsletter or submit a poem/article/artwork, please email Wendy McAuslan or call her on 0141 226 9856. You can also write to Wendy at:
VOX
c/o Mental Health Foundation
Floor 5, Merchants House
30 George Square
Glasgow G2 1EG
The more input we have from VOX members, the better our newsletter will be!
Browse through back copies of the VOX newsletter
VOX Newsletter14 Summer 2015 VOX Newsletter13 Spring 2015 VOX Newsletter12 Summer 2013 VOX Newsletter11 Spring 2012 VOX Newsletter10 Winter 2011docx VOX Newsletter9 June 2011 VOX Newsletter8 January 2011 VOX Newsletter7 Winter 2010 VOX Newsletter6 Spring 2010 VOX Newsletter5 Winter 2009 VOX Newsletter4 Summer 2009 VOX Newsletter3 Spring 2009 VOX Newsletter2 Winter 2008 VOX Newsletter1 March 2008
GOVERNANCE
VOX Board of Directors meeting
VOX is governed by a fifteen-person Board of Directors – 12 elected directors (VOX members with a lived experience of mental illness) and 3 non-elected directors (specialists in mental health issues). The 12 elected directors actively govern VOX while the three non-elected directors provide advice and information when requested.
VOX Directors are elected for six years at a time and – following that – they must step down for at least one year before they can stand for election to the Board again. This means that we’re regularly looking for members to step forward and think about joining the Board.
Any VOX member can stand for Board membership by nominating themselves as a candidate at the Annual General Meeting, and the candidates receiving the most votes are elected onto the Board. Once a new board is in place, they select four office holders from among themselves (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary) with one person serving as Chair. The Chair liaises with staff and the other office holders and ensures that everyone gets a fair chance to speak at Board meetings. If there are ever any tied votes at VOX Board meetings, the Chair can cast a deciding vote.
VOX Board of Directors meeting
The VOX Board meets ten times per year (plus the two national members’ meetings) to discuss VOX business and ensure that VOX staff implement VOX priorities. The Board also considers membership applications, monitors the budget and responds to changes in mental health legislation and policy.
In addition to the 12 member directors and 3 non-member directors, four specialist advisors assist the work of the VOX Board.
Learn more about our Member Directors, Advisors, Board Meetings, AGM, Memo & Articles of Association, Business Plan and Staff by viewing any of the content below.
MEMBER DIRECTORS
Dougie Pickering
I have been a Service User for many years, and was a founding Director of VOX before I stepped down. For the past 3yrs, I have been the (elected) Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists SUF (Service User Forum), and came to the end of my Term of Office at Congress at the end of June. I am keen for the knowledge & skills I gained there to be of use to VOX, for whom I am passionate about. VOX must be a strong voice, and have influence across the board, and contribute to work such as ‘Mental Health in Scotland – a 10 year vision’. I am also one of the leadership team members for Ayrshire & Arran on the Scottish Patients Safety Programme amongst other things.
I am keen to ensure VOX’s board focus on governance, and to enable the main priorities of the members to be taken forward and prioritised as much as possible.
Annette Calder
I’m a member of HUG – action for mental health in the highlands, and a director of Support in Mind (where I’m a member of the financial committee and P.A.C committee). I have personal experience of mental health problems, and i am delighted to be a director of VOX as its so important for people to have a voice and to influence policy.
Amanda Gordon
Joined VOX: 2018
VOX Director since: 2018
I worked full time for a national charity at executive level for several years until 2016. My initial role was unique in that I was able to influence policy by attending a variety of events and sharing my own personal experience of mental health, long term unemployment and homelessness. Through working in this role as an ambassador, I was encouraged to apply for promotion where I successfully managed the delivery of several employability programmes for young people for three years.
I have experience in public speaking and stakeholder engagement, event management and presenting. I have recently qualified in training design and delivery and in the initial stages of creating a business offering workshops in equality and diversity in the workplace. I enjoy working with a diverse range of people and have a passion for positively challenging inequality and discrimination.
Andrew Muir
I am a group member director on behalf of Psychiatric Rights Scotland. The aims of Psychiatric Rights Scotland are: to campaign for human rights in psychiatric settings; to ensure that Scottish legislation is compatible with international law; to ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect ; to ensure patients are not harmed by unnecessary medication; to ensure that carers’ views are enforced; to ensure that complaints are fully investigated etc. Psychiatric Rights Scotland are members of the Cross Party Working Groups for Carers, Human Rights and Mental Health.
I am a former Scottish Chess Champion and gained 641 votes in the 2016 Holyrood election.
Chris Evans
Joined VOX: 2007
VOX Director since: 2014
I joined VOX because I’ve always felt that people with a lived experience of mental health issues need a national voice, and I participated in the meetings and events which helped set up VOX. I’m also actively involved with the Highland Users Group (HUG) and I hope my experience of other Boards (such as HUG) helps me in my VOX work.
I’ve become involved in a wide range of mental health activities through VOX. I participated in the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) in Australia in 2009 and learned about concepts such as Peer Support and the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). I also attended the 15thEuropean Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour in 2014 and myself and one other VOX member were the only two service users among three hundred delegates – which shows how seriously VOX takes its role of making sure the voice of people with a lived experience is heard loud and clear!
I represent VOX on the Advisory Committee of the Mental Welfare Commission and I’m monitoring the development of the new Mental Health Bill. Along with a VOX colleague, I helped develop the concept of Advance Statements and Named Persons for the Scottish Executive before the 2003 Act was passed.
Outside of VOX, I do a lot of volunteering with HUG, delivering mental health awareness training and representing HUG in NHS Highland meetings. I’m a member of the Highland Mental Health Scottish Patient Safety Programme team and I’ve also recently set up a network in Lochaber for service users, carers, professionals and anyone else interested in mental health – we aim to share information on resources and support services and show how these can be accessed, and we recently received a ‘seeding grant’ to help with our work.
I’ve done quite a few things over the years. I was a Chemistry teacher before moving up to the Highlands and I’ve also worked with older people, been a mental health support worker, worked for HUG and for Advocacy Highland. We moved to the Highlands partly for the sailing opportunities (my husband and I bought a small boat before we had anything other than a touring caravan to live in!) and living in a small rural community has sharpened my interest in health inequalities in remote and rural areas.
I first became interested in advocacy work twenty years ago while volunteering for a project in Lochaber. Graham Morgan (HUG Manager) led two of the training sessions and this was the first time I openly discussed my own mental health difficulties. I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in 2007 and sectioned in 2008 while manic. I developed very helpful relationships with some of the professionals who cared for me and I strongly believe that everyone else should experience the same good standard of care. I’m very fortunate in that my husband doesn’t feel that mental health should be stigmatised and supports me in everything I do.
Colin Murchie
I have been involved with VOX for a number of years now, I am also an active member of HUG – action for Mental Health in the Highlands.
NON- MEMBER DIRECTORS
VOX ADVISORS
Kate McCormack
Kate McCormack is a Team Manager (Mental Health) in North Ayrshire Council’s Social Work Department and advises VOX on Social Work.
Maria Docherty
Maria Docherty is a registered Mental Health Nurse and Associate Director of Nursing for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities in NHS Lanarkshire. Her 28-year career has been devoted to advocating and caring for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Elaine Hunter
Elaine Hunter is the Allied Health Professions Advisor for Mental Health to the Scottish Government and advises VOX on all matters relating to Allied Health Professions.
Ronald Franks
Ronald Franks is responsible for Legal Services Agency’s Mental Health Legal Representation Projects and a part-time legal member and convener of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland. He is a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Mental Health and Disability Sub- Committee and Adults with Incapacity Specialist Accreditation Panel. He is the lead author of Greens Annotations to The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and editor of the Mental Health Section of Mays Scottish Social Work Legislation.
VOX BOARD MEETINGS MINUTES
VOX 76th Board Minutes August 2018VOX
VOX 74th Board Minutes April 2018
VOX 73rd Board Meeting March 2018
VOX 72nd Board Minutes February 2018doc.
VOX 68th Board Minutes August 2017
VOX 71st Board Minutes December 2017
VOX 70th Board Minutes November 2017
VOX 69th Board Minutes October 2017
VOX 67th Board Minutes. July 2017
VOX 66th Board Minutes June 2017
VOX 65th Board Minutes April 2017
VOX 64th Board Minutes March 2017
VOX 62nd Board Minutes January 2017
VOX 61st Board Minutes November 2016
VOX 60th Board Minutes October 2016
VOX 59th board meeting august 2016
VOX 57th Board Minutes June 2016
VOX 56th Board Minutes April 2016
VOX 55th Board Minutes March 2016
VOX 54th Board Minutes February 2016
VOX 53rd Board Minutes November2015
VOX 52nd Board Minutes October 2015
VOX 51st Board Minutes August 2015
VOX 50th Board Minutes July 2015
VOX Board Minutes Jan-April 2015
VOX Board Minutes 2014
VOX Board Minutes 2013
VOX Board Minutes 2012
VOX Board Minutes 2011
VOX Board Minutes 2010 EGM
VOX Board Minutes 2010
VOX Board Minutes 2009
VOX AGM MINUTES
VOX MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Read the VOX Memorandum and Articles of Association to learn more about VOX governance, objectives and membership rules.
VOX BUSINESS PLAN
Read the VOX Business Plan for 2014-17 to learn more about VOX organisational objectives and policies.
VOX Business plan 2014-2017
VOX Business plan 2011-2012
VOX STAFF
Wendy McAuslan, Development Coordinator
Hi there, I have been working in community regeneration, community development and mental health for the last 15 years, 9 of which have been with VOX.
The main reason I love working with VOX is that we listen and understand peoples experiences, and that the drive and focus for VOX isn’t guided by politics or services, its led by our membership.
This ensures that at all levels of the charity we are able to represent a snapshot of life/services and issues relation to human rights and discrimination and find ways of making positive change.
If you would like to get involved please get in touch.
Email Wendy Call Wendy on 0141 226 9856
Mahmud Al-Gailani, Equality And Development Coordinator
Hi Everyone, I have been working in mental health for over 12 years almost 8 of these with VOX Scotland.
I have a lived experience of accessing a range of services and a background in community education and counseling.
I volunteer as the chair and founding member of the ALMA project in Edinburgh which is a charity that provides ART therapy to people in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s.
I am involved in supporting the VOX collective, which is a new network of mental health lived experience lead VOX group members. I have a focus on Equality and Diversity and contribute regularly to the VOX Facebook/Twitter account so if you have any related news, stories or links do feel free to send them on to me for sharing or you can like our Facebook page and post them direct yourself.
My Email is mal-gailani@mentalhealth.org.uk or you can call me on: 0141 226 9855 or 0141 572 1663
John Steel, Administration Officer
John has experience as a mental health service user since 1991 and has been a supporter of the Clubhouse movement since joining Scotia Clubhouse in Glasgow in 2001. John has attended many Clubhouse conferences in Europe and the United States and spoke at a fundraising event at the UN in New York. He was also a Faculty Member of the International Centre for Clubhouse Development and, by being involved in the Clubhouse movement, has acquired many additional skills which he uses in his work with VOX. As VOX’s Administration Officer, John looks after the VOX website and issues a weekly update for individual, group and associate members. John also looks after the day to day running of the VOX office and organises major VOX events such as the Annual Conference and Annual Members’ Meeting.
Email John Call John on 0141 226 9854
VOX staff implement VOX priorities on a day to day basis. Learn more about VOX staff and their areas of responsibility from the profiles below – it’s always good to know who you’re talking to when you call the office!
