Local Groups

Acumen is a support network that enables mental health service users and carers in Argyll & Clyde to participate as equal partners in the development of services and the promotion of well-being and recovery.

t: 0141 847 8900   e: enquiries@acumennetwork.org

AdvoCard is a service user-led, independent advocacy organisation in Edinburgh. It provides both individual and collective advocacy for people with experience of mental health issues with the aim of providing opportunities for people to participate more effectively in decisions that affect all aspects of their lives. As an organization, AdvoCard is commited to equality, inclusion and human rights.

t: 0131 554 5307   e: advocacy@advocard.org.uk

Bipolar Scotland provides support and information to everyone in Scotland who lives with Bipolar Disorder (Including friends, family and carers). We support self-management and inform and educate about the condition.

t:     0141 560 2050   e: info@bipolarscotland.org.uk

Edinburgh Patients Council is an independent collective advocacy project for people who use or have used the services of The Royal Edinburgh Hospital. It strengthens the voice of patients and former patients through independent collective advocacy and builds on the foundations established by patients over twenty years.

t: 0131 537 6462   e: info@rehpatientscouncil.org.uk

Hug Spirit Advocacy is a collective advocacy group representing the interests of mental health service users across the Highlands. It campaigns to improve the rights, services and treatment of people with mental health problems in the Highlands.

t: 01463 719366   e: hug@spiritadvocacy.org.uk

Klacksun works in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and local NHS services. Through this relationship, it provides a forum for people with mental health problems to consider, review and develop principles and practices in relation to these services.

t: 01259 215048   e: admin@klacksun.org.uk

Lanarkshire Links is a mental health service user and carer led organisation whose members support each other to become involved in the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of mental health services in Lanarkshire.

t: 01698 265232   e: admin@lanarkshirelinks.org.uk

Mental Health Network (Greater Glasgow) is a service user led organisation that gathers the experiences and opinions of people who have used mental health services in the Greater Glasgow area. It believes that service users possess valuable insight into services that will prove invaluable to service providers.

t: 0141 550 8417   e: info@mhngg.org.uk

New Horizons Borders was founded in 1993 to provide facilities independent of conventional mental health services. It also provides informal meeting places across the Borders where members can access mutual support and develop friendships.

t: 01896 755510   e: laura.nhb@hotmail.co.uk

Plus Perth & Kinross is a charitable company led by people who have used mental health services. PLUS objectives include the promotion of mental health as everyone’s concern, challenging stigma, influencing positive changes in mental health services and promoting a fair and inclusive society.

t: 01738 626242   e: info@plusperth.co.uk

Scottish Dementia Working Group is a national campaigning group run by people with dementia. It is the independent voice of people with dementia within Alzheimer Scotland. The Group campaigns to improve services for people with dementia and to improve attitudes towards people with dementia.

t: 0141 418 3939   e: sdwg@alzscot.org

User and Carer Involvement is a Scottish charity operating across Dumfries and Galloway. Its mission is to provide a representative voice for people who have mental illness, dementia or learning disabilities and their families and carers and as a result, ensure positive changes in service provision. We achieve this through consulting with groups and individuals to provide collective advocacy and also can provide one to one advocacy.

t: 01387 255330   e: mailto:carolynlittle@userandcarer.co.uk

West Dunbartonshire Mental Health Forum  is a group of people and carers from West Dunbartonshire who have experienced mental health difficulties. The Forum offers a place for people to meet and share their thoughts on West Dunbartonshire’s mental health services and to influence the wider community.
t: 01389 742294   e: wd.mhf@btconnect.com

African Lanarkshire for Mental Health works to improve the mental health of African people in North Lanarkshire, to promote advocacy for mental health and combat the stigma of mental illness, and to provide information to allow people to make informed decisions.

t: 07404 087 154   e: gbme.mentalhealth@yahoo.com

Alma Project aims to improve the mental health and well-being of inhabitants of Edinburgh and Lothians by using art as a therapeutic tool. The Project was established in December 2010 by former staff members, service users, volunteers and supporters of the Stepping Stones mental health project.

t:  0770 36 39 334   e: thealmaproject@gmail.com

CAPS (Consultation & Advocacy Promotion Service) is an independent advocacy organisation for people who use or have used mental health services. It is totally independent from its funders and other agencies who offer services to its clients. CAPS provides individual and collective advocacy in East Lothian and Midlothian.

t: 0131 273 5116   e: contact@capsadvocacy.org

Compass User Group provides culturally sensitive mental health care to young people and adults across Glasgow. The service is aimed at people with a past history of torture/rape or sexual assault and who experience mental health problems such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

t: 0141 630 4985   e: rachelmorley@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Dundee Service User Network  is a service user involvement platform for people in Dundee with a lived experience of mental illness.

t: 01382 305 743   e: siobainmcintosh@number10.org

Express Group Fife provides opportunities for self-help social activities, outings and holidays for people in Fife with a lived experience of mental illness. It also provides a space where members can share experiences and offer mutual support.

t: 01592 645331   e: info@expressgroup.fsnet.co.uk

PlatForum provides a forum for people with mental health issues to have their say on how services are run. It tackles stigma and raises awareness. It provides a safe and welcoming space for anyone affected by mental illness.

t: 0141 276 3953   e: platforum1@googlemail.com

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance promotes, supports and defends the principles and practice of independent advocacy across Scotland. It is a membership organisation. Its aim is to ensure that high quality advocacy is available to everyone who needs it in Scotland.

t: 0131 5241975   e: enquiry@siaa.org.uk

South West Community Mental Health Project provides a social support service, through group work, based in local community settings, to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. It uses an open referral system and supports individuals to utilise their skills and access local mainstream opportunities.

t: 0141 276 3590   e: irene.scott1@btopenworld.com

Time and Space is a service for people with complex mental health problems in Glasgow. It works with people who are troubled by auditory hallucinations (voice hearers) and their families.

t: 07875219668 or 07891673485   e: info@timeandspace.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation Scotland focuses on social justice and inequality in mental health, raising awareness of mental health with the public and working in partnership with community organisations, policy makers and researchers. Our programmes link together policy, research evidence and practice, helping people and publicly recognises the role mental health plays in life.

t: 0131 243 3800 or 0141 572 0125   e: scotland@mhf.org.uk

Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland provides a responsive and accessible, independent and impartial service to help make decisions on the compulsory care and treatment of people with mental disorders in Scotland. The Tribunal was created in 2005 by virtue of section 21 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The Tribunal is located in Hamilton and its staff work throughout Scotland.

t: 0800 345 70 60 Freephone   e: mhts@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland aims to ensure that care, treatment and support are lawful and respect the rights and promote the welfare of individuals with mental illness, learning disability and related conditions.  We do this by empowering individuals and their carers and by influencing and challenging service providers and policy makers.

t: 0131 313 8777 or  0800 389 6809   e: enquiries@mwcscot.org.uk

SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) is one of Scotland’s leading mental health charities. The Association works hard every day to ensure that people are talking about mental health and does this in four ways (i) community based services for people with mental health problems (ii) national programmes  (iii) policy and campaigning work, and (iv) raising funds to ensure that our vital work can continue.

t: 0141 530 1000   e: enquire@samh.org.uk

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival is one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural events, covering everything from music, film and visual art to theatre, dance, and literature. The annual festival takes place in venues across Scotland during October, aiming to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health.

t: 0141 572 0413   e: smhaff@mentalhealth.org.uk

Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) is a non-profit initiative working in Scotland and beyond. SRN’s vision is: A Scotland where mental health recovery is a reality for all. Their aim is to promote and support recovery from mental health problems. They act as a catalyst for change by sharing ideas and practice.

t: 0141 240 7790   e: info@scottishrecovery.net

See Me is Scotland’s national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental ill-health. The campaign is an alliance of five mental health organisations and fully funded by the Scottish Government. It launched in 2002.

t: 0131 516 6819   e: info@seemescotland.org

Mental Health Foundation works for an end to mental ill health and the inequalities facing people who experience mental distress and live with learning disabilities or reduced mental capacity. The Foundation develops and runs research and delivery programmes across the UK that have, for more than six decades, provided considerable evidence and expertise. The Foundation focuses on everyone’s mental health, regardless of age, condition or circumstance.

t: 020 7803 1100   e: info@mentalhealth.org.uk

The National Survivor User Network (NSUN) is an independent mental health service user/survivor led organisation. The network was set up by service users to build a more united and confident mental health service user movement. It recognises the isolation and discrimination experienced by mental health service users and their needs beyond clinical treatment.

t: 0207 820 8982   e: info@nsun.org.uk

Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional medical body responsible for supporting psychiatrists throughout their careers, from training through to retirement, and in setting and raising standards of psychiatry in the United Kingdom.  It aims to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness, and the mental health of individuals, their families and communities.

t: 020 7235 2351 or 020 7977 6655   e: reception@rcpsych.ac.uk

Unity is strength! If you feel lonely and would like to join one of Scotland’s many mental health groups, please type in your postcode or use the map below to locate your nearest group. We encourage all VOX members to think about joining their local mental health group – it’s a great way to meet new friends, learn about services, exchange useful information and combat feelings of isolation. Most groups have a strong social side so joining is a great way to meet new people, access keep-fit classes or even learn a new hobby. Membership is usually free and costs are usually quite low.