Advocacy Links

How Can PALS Help You?

• We give advice and information about local health services
• We put you in touch with other services you may need
• We listen to your problems and help you find ways to solve them
• We talk to health service staff for you, if you want us to do this
• We use your ideas and comments to improve health services

You can talk to PALS in confidence. We will not talk to anyone else about your problems without discussing it with you.

PALS Can Give Information About

• Health services
• Social services
• Community centres
• Support groups
• Interpreters/linkworkers
• Services for people with disabilities
• How to make a formal complaint

Each forum is made of up of volunteers in their local community who are enthusiastic about helping patients and members of the public influence the way that local healthcare is organised and delivered. Forum members come from a broad variety of backgrounds and have a range of experience and skills.

User groups providing advocacy

We are a self-advocacy project for people with learning difficulties in Barnet. We run three self-advocacy groups a month and membership is free. The development workers all have learning disabilities. They run the groups, campaign on issues important to the members and deliver disability equality training.

Advocacy Type(s): User groups/collective

The consortium is a voluntary organisation which operates in the London Borough of Camden. It is run by its members who are users, former users and survivors of mental health services living, working or using services in Camden.

Advocacy Type(s): User groups/collective

Client Group(s): People with mental health issues

The Children's Society Disability Advocacy Project works with young disabled people who are placed out of borough by the local authorities.

Area(s): LONDON: Haringey, Redbridge, Camden, Newham, Tower Hamlets

Advocacy Type(s): Both (Individual and Collective)

Client Group(s): People with Physical/Sensory Impairments, People with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities, Children and Young People

Self help and advocacy for adults with learning difficulties. People First group meets alternate Thursdays 4.3Opm - 6pm.

Advocacy Type(s): User Groups/Collective

Client Group(s): People with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities

Information, advice and advocacy for carers of people experiencing mental ill health. Fortnightly carers support meetings Tuesdays 6.3Opm - 8.3Opm, where carers can meet for mutual support. Weekend respite breaks. Counselling, aromatherapy, acupuncture. Trips and leisure activities.

Advocacy Type(s): Both (Individual and Collective)

Client Group(s): Carers/Family

As well as general service, Mind in Haringey provides specialist advocacy for African and African-Caribbean people.

An independent service user group working to put forward the views of people using mental health services.

Mental Health Charities

Charity working to improve the lives of everyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Mind works to create a better life for everyone experiencing mental distress by advancing their views, needs and ambitions. Mind has a wealth of publications, leaflets and factsheets to help people in many different languages.

The PRA aims to stimulate recovely from mental health problems, greater initiative, and social awareness. It prepares and encourages participation in the community. PRA is a partnership of patients, relatives, friends and professional workers, and has developed a wide range of community care facilities.

Rethink works to help everyone affected by severe mental health problems, including schizophrenia, to recover a better quality of life. Rethink provides comprehensive information including a guide to medication called 'Only the Best', downloadable from its website.

Provides information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers.

Developing effective ways of delivering mental health services.

Tulip currently provides services in the London Boroughs of Haringey, Enfield, Newhani, and Barking & Dagenham. These services are provided to service users with a range of mental health problems from mild to moderate mental health issues to more severe and enduring mental health problems. Services provided include assertive outreach, floating support, residential care, drop-in centres and supported housing.