Projects
Making a difference on mental health policy, law and services.We do this by asking our members to prioritise our work areas, we work alongside members to co-produce projects, we facilitate discussion groups and use surveys, polls and social media to capture our members views.
We then make sure these views positively influence changes to policy, practice, and research.
Find out more about our current programmes and projects in the sections below:
VOX Animation: Mental Health and Covid-19
Scotland’s national mental health service user organisation, VOX Scotland released a new animation on 28th October 2021 amplifying the voices of those with lived experience of mental ill-health during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Volunteers from Jean’s Bothy in Helensburgh shared their experiences of isolation, being unable to access the right support, and feeling overwhelmed by the impact of the pandemic.
The animation contains a clear call for flexible and attentive services, and strongly emphasises the importance of community, belonging, and connection.
You can view the animation, Mental Health and Covid-19, below:
(Please note this video contains discussion of various mental health difficulties which may be distressing)
We would like to thank all of the volunteers from Jean’s Bothy in Helensburgh for sharing their experiences, and the media co-op for producing the animation.
If you have any thoughts or questions regarding the animation please contact us on info@voxscotland.org.uk
Empathy and Connection in Clinical Services
If you would like to get involved in a project looking at the issues around empathy and connection within services alongside others with lived experience please contact Michelle on mmcbride@mentalhealth.org.uk
National Care Service Consultation
Following engagement with members, VOX Scotland has submitted and published its response to The Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposed National Care Service.
VOX Scotland welcomes the opportunity to present our members’ views on the National Care Service consultation and hopes to positively influence the way in which these plans are taken forward, with particular regard to the impact on mental health services and support, informed by a lived experience perspective.
During August, September, and October 2021 we engaged with 41 participants from different areas of Scotland, including Argyll & Bute, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow, Lothian, and Highlands. Participants were diverse in terms of their mental health problems, and, also in terms of age, gender, LGBT status, ethnic identity, and socio-economic circumstances.
Engagement with our VOX group members also took place, including:
- CAPS Advocacy
- Time and Space
- Acumen
- Lanarkshire Links
- Mental Health Network Greater Glasgow
- Advocard
Our participants’ responses highlight that the most important need is for improvement in access to, and quality of, mental health services and support across Scotland, with concerns that the proposed National Care Service may not necessarily deliver this.
VOX Scotland’s consultation submission emphasises the need for:
- Significant investment in the social care sector – particularly in mental health services and support
- Improved communication amongst services, and greater involvement of service users in decisions both about their individual care and the design and delivery of services more widely
- Clarity on how a National Care Service would end the ‘postcode lottery’ of service provision across Scotland, and how eligibility criteria can allow everyone to access the support they need, when they need it
You can read VOX Scotland’s full consultation response below: