NEWS
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New Policy recommendations for U.K. social security system
Mental health, welfare conditionality & employment support: Policy recommendations & key findings The current provision of social security and employment support in Scotland and the wider UK do not effectively recognise mental health. Key concerns are: The use...
VOX support a call for urgent action to transform Scotlands Social care support system
Disabled people’s organisations and carers’ organisations have come together to call on Scottish Government to take urgent, radical action to create a social care support system worthy of the name. In an open letter to Cabinet Secretary Jeane Freeman, they describe...
Independant review of Forensic Mental Health services- report published.
The Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services has published its interim report. VOX have been involved in the reviews working groups and has been speaking to people with lived experience of forensic services to help inform the review....
Coronaviruos and You- Our members experience report
Whilst a great deal of research recently has focussed on population health and how those with no previous mental health problems are being affected by the pandemic, we want to highlight the impact on those with lived experience of mental health issues. We found 70%...
Things you can do to help clear your head
This is a worrying time for most people, and we should try to look after ourselves as best we can. The Scottish Government has helped to develop a resource you may find helpful....
Perinatal Mental Health in the time of COVID-19
https://maternalmentalhealthscotland.org.uk/uncategorized/perinatal-mental-health-in-the-time-of-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR1lgwIJgHV3iuN24L8ZQF8_-fQrGXGV5-voU4uzFtPtXBIGHrtaGW2DVSE
VOX office closed until further notice
Due to the current CORONA virus situation and in following with the advice given by the government to combat the outbreak, VOX offices are closed until further notice. The VOX staff team will be working from home and taking every opportunity to keep our members...
Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak
The Mental Health Foundation is part of the national mental health response providing support to address the mental health and psychosocial aspects of the Coronavirus outbreak. Infectious disease outbreaks, like the current Coronavirus (Covid 19), can be scary and can...
Free Creative Writing Workshops from Lapidus
Creative words for health and wellbeing. Sessions explore ways in which words can inspire and help us through difficult times. Sessions are FREE and open to all abilities. 'Art Into Writing' FREE An introduction to using Art & writing for our wellbeing. Langside...
The Future Direction – Focus on Rights and Detention focus group meeting
This 1st focus group meeting is in Partnership with the Mental Health Network Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Hear about the future direction for the mental health act and incapacity legislation and have the chance to think through your views. We also want to look...
Reminder that the Consultation on Improving Disability Assistance in Scotland ends on the 28th May
This consultation asks questions on whether the policy intent set out in the Scottish approach to Disability Assistance will meet the needs of the children and adults it is intended to help. We would like to gather views to ensure we have identified the best possible...
VOX Moving Minds event is this Saturday- see programme
Moving Minds XI Final Click on the link above to see the flyer with event times. No booking is required, all events are...
new CAPS job opportunity Individual Advocacy Worker
CAPS Independent Advocacy POST: Individual Advocacy Worker 28 hours per week over 4 days Salary: £24,293 per annum FTE, £18,765 pro rata Edinburgh, East Lothian & Midlothian CAPS is looking for a flexible, friendly person to join our Individual Advocacy team. You...
Update on Legal Equality and Mental Health Focus Groups
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Dear VOX Members/supporters, Due to unforeseen circumstances, the VOX focus group scheduled for Monday 18th March at The Mental Health Network premises has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. Please accept our apologies for...
Inclusion Scotland is hoping to build a ‘disabled leadership network’.
Inclusion Scotland is hoping to build a ‘disabled leadership network’. This will be a network comprising of disabled people who want to become stronger leaders, within their community, workplace, education setting, or within politics and activism. Our hope is to...
Lapidus Scotland are looking for a Creative Project Manager
Lapidus Scotland is seeking a Creative Project Manager to take forward its project ‘Words Work Well For Health and Wellbeing’, a programme of writing, storytelling and art activities for wellbeing throughout Glasgow for people with long-term and often complex health...
Mental health data sharing survey
How should we share health information? If you are aged 16+ and have used the NHS, researchers at the University of Edinburgh want to know your views! To find out more and take a 10 minute survey, go to: http://www.tinyurl.com/data-sharing-survey If you’ve already...
Individual Advocacy Manager post with CAPS Independent Advocacy
CAPS Independent Advocacy Individual Advocacy Manager 34 hours per week over 5 days Starting Salary: £27,712 per annum, £25,992 pro rata East Lothian & Midlothian A new post has arisen within CAPS to manage our Individual Advocacy team. You would be working 34...
Legal Equality and Mental health series of focus group meetings
This will be the 1st of 4 Focus Group meetings on Legal Equality and Mental Health. When?: Monday 18th March 2019, 11am – 2pm Where?: Mental Health Network Greater Glasgow, 62 Templeton Street, Glasgow G40 1DA VOX will be running four focus groups across Scotland to...
New Date for our Conference and AGM
VOX’s AGM and “Connection” Conference has been rescheduled for Monday 3rd December 2018 in the Golden Lion Hotel 8-10 King Street, Stirling, FK8 1DQ. From 10.00am to 3.00pm. Come along and watch our “Yearning for a Connection" film, chat about Social Media and...
New Research Report on Effectiveness of Public Sector Equality Duty published
This report was commissioned to look at how effectively the current Scottish Public Sector Equality Duty specific duties have helped public bodies achieve their obligations under the general equality duty. The duties were introduced by the Scottish Government in 2013...
Independent review of learning disability and autism in the Mental Health Act
There is an independent review of the place of learning disability and autism in the 2003 mental health Act, which is now taking evidence. Stage 1 seeks evidence about both professional and personal experiences of the Mental Health Act for autistic people and people...
VOX AGM Postponement notice
The 11th VOX Annual General Meeting which was due to be held in Stirling on the 10th of September has now been postponed. Due to unforeseen circumstances the AGM will be rearranged to a later date. All members will be informed in writing over the next week of the...
Untapped Potential Report Launch
Report Launch Untapped Potential: How people with lived experience of mental health issues engage in civic and public life. Do people with mental health problems get involved in their parent teacher association or sit on residents’ committees? What roles do...
VOX response to Social Isolation strategy consultation
VOX Consultation response is now available on our publications page see link; http://voxscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/VOX-SCOTLAND-consultation-response-to-social-isolation-3final.pdf
Recovery Walk Scotland 2018
Recovery Walk Scotland 2018: Glasgow Host Group Recovery Walk Scotland will be held in Glasgow this year on the 15th of September and for the first time will bring addiction recovery and mental wellbeing activists together to promote recovery! We are looking for...
10 Years of Moving Minds on 26th May at Kelvingrove Museum #SMHAF18
This year marks the 10th Moving Minds event. A day celebrating diversity and mental health, developed back in 2008 by Mahmud al-Gailani as part of our contribution to the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. The event has highlighted equality and diversity...
Winter Members Meeting – Common Ground
Come to VOX’s next Members meeting - COMMON GROUND We all have different views on all sorts of things, but let’s look at where we can come together and strengthen our voice! Also, who doesn’t have a voice….what can we do about it? 26/02/18 10.30AM TO 3PM, 200 ST...
Scotland’s Disabled People’s Annual Summit 2017/18
Situation vacant: employer-ability and disabled people’s right to work We have a right to work, to choose what we work at and to make a living from it. We want to work. Most of us are ready and able to work. What’s more the rest of Scotland needs us in work and...
Real People Deeper cuts report
VOX Launch "Real People Deeper Cuts Report" Real People deeper cuts The report highlights the experiences of people with lived experience of mental health issues and the affects of spending cuts on their lives. This report would not have been possible without the...
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER – THEMED Mental Welfare Commission Visit
The Mental Welfare Commission would like to talk to people in Scotland who are over 18 years of age and have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). We will then use what we hear to produce a report we are looking to publish in early 2018. The...
Leading Charity says Employers must do more on Mental Health to Fight Poverty
The Mental Health Foundation Scotland, which has been accredited as a Living Wage employer, has warned of the link between low pay, job insecurity and mental health problems.The Foundation’s research, “Poverty and Mental Health” calls on employers to take action to...
LGBT Young People
LGBT Young People and Mental Health DID YOU KNOW? 40% of LGBT young people and 67% of transgender young people experience poor mental health WHY? Experiencing prejudice and discrimination, including bullying at school. Pressure to conform to gender norms and...
Empathy in health care-Tell us your stories
“Empathy in healthcare – what’s your experience? We want to hear your stories – the good and the bad – about the empathy and kindness you have (or have not) experienced from healthcare professionals. How does it affect your mental health? What can we tell health...
Job at MHF External Relations Assistant (Glasgow)
25 hours per week @ £8.45 per hour Ref: 6420 Mental Health Foundation is currently recruiting for the above post which is supported through the Community Jobs Scotland scheme. Information on this post can be found at...
Invitation: Empowering our Communities: a pop-up day of advice, inspiration and connection
Scotland now has ‘Community Empowerment' legislation, growing co-production and participatory budgeting (or ‘community choices') movements, and communities who are have shown the difference that community ownership of assets can make for making local places better....
Hold the date! Monday the 11th September 2017
Hold the date! Monday the 11th September 2017 200 St Vincent Street Glasgow, G2 5RQ Feeding the Soul – What we need to recover (and VOX’s Annual General Meeting) Evidence base matters, however, is there more that’s needed when it comes to recovery, what do we need to...
You can help us grow our voice.
Are you a VOX Scotland member? Why not join us today online by clicking on the link below or by contacting us for a paper copy of our membership form.http://voxscotland.org.uk/join-vox/ Please help us reach as many people as possible by promoting our free membership...
Welcome to Future Pathways
Future Pathways offers help and support to people who were abused or neglected as children while they were living in care in Scotland. They work together to help survivors access person-centred support that will help them to lead full, healthy and independent lives...
An opportunity to inform the new Social Security powers in Scotland
The Scottish Government is getting ready to take over the management of some benefits from the DWP. It's seeking people from across the country who have received benefits to join experience panels and share their views. Register online extended to the by 9th...
New Priorities Survey for VOX members
At VOX we recognise that not all our members can attend our annual members meetings, so we would like to hear from you about what you think is important for us to be working on. Below is a link to our short survey, please complete it and help us shape our work...
Survivors of Childhood Abuse Counselling Service
Survivors of childhood abuse counselling service The counselling team are fully-trained and highly experienced, with male and female counsellors available from a range of ethnic backgrounds. Counselling is also offered in Polish, French and Italian. Trauma Counselling...
Guided Self Help
Guided Self Help What is Guided Self Help?Where is it available?How do I get referred to this service? Health in Mind has been funded by the NHS to deliver this service in Edinburgh and Midlothian. The Guided Self Help workers provide the service in local health...
OCD Edinburgh Support Group
OCD Edinburgh Support Group July 26th @ 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Event Navigation Collective Advocacy – Patients Council Meeting Carers Forum Meeting » This is a welcoming support group for anyone affected by OCD (friends and family are also welcome to attend). It is...
Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights
Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights Activate Community Development Course: We have free places available on the Activate course in community development, starting on Tuesday the 12th July. The course will run 1-4pm on Tuesday afternoons until the end of...
Going Beyond Harm
The Carers Trust and the Scottish Patient Safety Program are hosting a half day conference on 31 august entitled ‘Going Beyond Harm’ A half day event for carers of people with mental health problems What’s this? Harm can come in all different forms, but an important,...
MHScot Workplace Wellbeing
MHScot Workplace Wellbeing You may already be aware that we are undertaking some research with a University of Edinburgh Business School student on Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace and we’d like to invite you to take part in a survey we have available,...
LGBT People and Public Services
LGBT People and Public Services A good practice guide from Stonewall Scotland Public services should be fit for everyone. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (or transgender) (LGBT) people should experience the same level of service as everyone else. There are plenty of...
Addressing Self-Harm behavior training
Addressing Self-harm behaviour training Minds Well deliver a range of workshops to provide tools to work with people who self-harm on an on-going basis. We will learn more about how to support people who self-harm, to understand their motivations and how to bring it...
Mental Welfare Commission
The Mental Welfare Commission Scoping exercise on the mental health act as it relates to people with learning disability and autism. The Mental Welfare Commission is looking for your participation in a scoping exercise on the Mental Health Act as it relates to people...
Public Life MattersNEWS
Putting Mental Health Centre Stage in Public Life
At a time when politics is in everyone’s mind and given that mental health is a policy priority for all the major political parties, it is worth asking how well people with mental health problems are represented in public life – and what is stopping people in these circumstances seeking election or appointment to public bodies such as school boards, tenants associations, local councils and national parliaments.
A new project is aiming to break down some of the barriers which prevent people from getting involved in public life when they are struggling with their mental health.
Public Life Matters is working to make sure that people with lived experience of mental ill health can become more involved in their communities and combat the isolation that people can face.
It’s being led by a group of researchers who has experienced difficulties with their own mental health, to help others seeking public office or becoming more involved in community groups, church groups, parent/teacher associations, local authorities, and even voting.
Research shows that becoming more involved in your community can help recovery from mental illness, by widening our life experiences and connections and giving us a new purpose.
As mental health is now getting much greater political attention, it is hoped the project will open up opportunities for people with mental health conditions to become engaged in civic and public life.
People can take part in the project, which has been funded through a Disability Research on Independent Living and Learning grant, by taking part in an initial survey. There will also be follow-up focus groups taking place across Scotland to build on the initial findings.
Benj McElwee, a member of the project, said: “With the snap General Election announced this year mental health has been thrust into the spotlight as a priority for all parties.
“Public Life Matters aims to identify, and inspire solutions to, the barriers that might prevent or deter people with mental health conditions from realising these new opportunities.
“Findings from the research project will be summarised in a report which will be distributed to MSPs, civil servants, government ministers, interested charities and voluntary groups, the media and the general public.
“The report will include recommendations as to how people with lived experience can be encouraged and supported to play a greater role in the public life of their local communities.”
To take part in the research project, people can fill in the survey: tinyurl.com/publiclifescot
For further information on the project, contact Voices of eXperience (VOX) by emailing info@voxscotland.org.uk; or get involved in the conversation on Twitter: #publiclifescot
Disability Research in Independent Living and Learning (DRILL) is a UK-wide Research Project which delivers the world’s first major research programme led by disabled people. It is a Big Lottery Fund that in Scotland is administered by Inclusion Scotland.
Public Life Matters is run by a partnership led by VOX (Voices of eXperience), Scotland’s national collective advocacy organisation for people with lived experience of mental ill health. Importantly, the research will be carried out by the Lived Experience Research Consortium: people who have their own lived experiences of mental health issues. Additional expert support and advice will be supplied by The Mental Health Foundation and the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Health Policy.
