We’re very sorry to announce that on Tuesday 26th August 2025 the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) voted to let contracts for four of our projects end on 30th November 2025. These contracts pay for: Arts as Advocacy work which includes the Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition; Collective Advocacy for people who identify […]| CAPS
Please read this Privacy Notice then fill out the form that follows. Privacy Notice for Collective Advocacy Group MembersWe need your information so you can take part in and be kept up-to-date about our Collective Advocacy projects. We’ll keep information about how to contact you, the local authority where you live, which projects you are […]| CAPS
Collective advocacy groups offer a safe space to explore shared mental health issues, to campaign and influence the agendas and decisions that affect our lives. On this page you can find details of all of our collective advocacy projects. If you’re ready to get involved fill in the sign up form below. What collective independent […]| CAPS
The People's Conference 2025 'Human rights: in our hands'. The post The People’s Conference 2025 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
MMTAL changes how we see ourselves. It helps us feel less like toxic monsters, teaches us more about our own experiences and the experiences of others with personality disorder diagnoses, and helps us learn to challenge stigma and educate others. It makes us feel seen, and heard, and gives a purpose to the trauma we […] The post Group statement from Experiences of Personality Disorder appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
What does the group do? Designs and plans the annual People’s conference for those with lived experience of a mental health issue in the Lothians. All previous People’s conference reports can be seen on CAPS website. In the past we have looked at topics such as the homelessness and housing crisis and met with the […] The post Group statement from Lothian Voices appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Minority Ethnic Collective advocacy group: We are a diverse group of people who all have lived experience of mental health needs and are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Our voices are often underrepresented and discussions about our mental health can be clouded by cultural and social stigma. As a result, many in our communities feel unable to challenge mainstream […] The post Group statement from Minority Ethnic advocacy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
What does the LGBTQIA+ group do? The CAPS LGBTQIA+ collective advocacy group spreads awareness of the challenges that LGBTQIA+ people face with mental health and when accessing mental health services. We use our own personal experiences combined with research to plug the gaps in knowledge around LGBTQIA+ identities. In the past, we have delivered workshops […] The post Group statement from LGBTQIA+ advocacy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
We are a group of people who have varied lived experiences of trauma. Our goal is to challenge stigma and make things better for everyone involved. We do this by sharing our own experiences and using them to influence health and social care systems, professionals and carers in helping roles, and the wider community Trauma […] The post Group statement from Experiences of Trauma appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
What we do The main focus of the EOP is the workshops we run called ‘Experiences of Psychosis.’ These are interactive, creative, unique events for a wide range of people including nurses, psychotherapist, crisis and mental health workers, clinical psychology, nursing, occupational health and creative therapy students and people from the community such as loved […] The post Group statement from Experiences of Psychosis appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
What does the group do? “Seen But Not Heard” is a collective advocacy project for people with experience of all kinds of eating disorders, who live in Lothian. It is a space where people with lived experience of eating disorders can come together and share their stories to create awareness, to help educate others, and […] The post Group statement from Seen But Not Heard appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
We are a group of people who have experience of mental health issues. Together we plan and deliver an open call exhibition for people who have mental health issues. It is the biggest mental health exhibition in Scotland. It is a unique exhibition, and a unique support for people with mental health issues. Out of […] The post Group statement from Out of Sight Out of Mind planning group appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
What does the group do? The Oor Mad History group is a unique and important community history project and collective advocacy group. It aims to reclaim and promote the history of activism and collective advocacy by people with mental health issues. The group started in 2008 and grew out of the Lothian Mental Health Service […] The post Group statement from Oor Mad History appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A free four week community Mad Studies course based in the University of Edinburgh. The post Understanding Oor Mad History appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Veterans' event to inform and influence the way veterans' services work together. The post Veterans working together appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Open letter from CAPS group members regarding proposed funding cuts. The post Open letter regarding proposed funding cuts appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Read testimonials from supporters as Collective Advocacy is under threat. The post Testimonials in support of CAPS appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
OOSOOM exhibition call for art, materials grants and more. The post Call for art, materials grants and more appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
In these sound recordings you can hear people speaking in their own voice, on their own terms. The post Can you hear us interviews appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Can you help save Collective Advocacy? The post Can you help save Collective Advocacy? appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Cuts to CAPS' Collective Advocacy proposed by funders. The post Collective Advocacy proposed cuts appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
In our shoes - Independent Advocacy as education and innovation. The post In our shoes appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Book Launch Success! Charlotte Mitchell: A Memoir The post Book Launch Success! Charlotte Mitchell: A Memoir appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Discovery Session at the Lothian Health Service Archive The post Discovery Session at the Lothian Health Service Archive appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Experiences of Trauma workshop - 'Here and Now'. The post Here and Now Lived Experience Workshop appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Insights into Minority Ethnic Mental Health workshop The post Insights into Minority Ethnic Mental Health appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
'Eating disorders can affect anyone', a blog from Rachel who facilitates Seen But Not Heard'. The post Eating disorders can affect anyone appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Out of Sight Out of Mind Exhibition Planning Group visit ‘Women in Revolt!’ exhibition. The post Out of Sight Out of Mind visits ‘Women in Revolt!’ exhibition appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
You are invited to a celebration and launch of Charlotte Mitchell’s memoir. The post Charlotte Mitchell: A Memoir appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Our survey on Drop-ins in Edinburgh is now open! The post Our survey on Drop-ins in Edinburgh is now open! appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
New research has found that many men with eating disorders still experience significant internalised stigma and shame. The post Maybe it’s because I’m a man appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Three times as many men as women die by suicide in the UK. The post TALK. Portraits. by Graham Williams appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
CAPS Independent Advocacy AGM 2024 The post CAPS Independent Advocacy AGM 2024 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The People's Conference 2024 The post Lived experience: can you hear us? appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A team from CAPS took part in a national ‘art relay’. The post ITAC art relay appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Eating Disorders: Through My Eyes - a zine-making workshop. The post Eating Disorders: Through My Eyes – a zine-making workshop appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Exploring Experiences of Psychosis: A workshop created by people who have experienced psychosis. The post Exploring Experiences of Psychosis: A Workshop appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Children’s rights and Independent Advocacy The post Children’s rights and Independent Advocacy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Oor Mad History: Experiences of the Biomedical Model Community Workshop The post Oor Mad History: Experiences of the Biomedical Model Community Workshop appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
People with lived experience worried about care reviews. The post Lived experience and Edinburgh’s plans for care reviews appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The Oor Mad History group will be collaborating with the University of Edinburgh on a Discovery Session. The post New developments for Oor Mad History! appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A new Collective Advocacy service for people who use drugs or alcohol. The post New service for people who use drugs or alcohol appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Are you concerned about a Health and Social Care Review? The post Are you concerned about a Health and Social Care Review? appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
People who have been involved in Collective Advocacy are invited to our Feedback Day. The post Collective Advocacy Feedback Day appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Add your voice to the Speakerphone art relay for people with experience of mental health issues. The post Speakerphone: Please leave your message here appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A national lifelong advocacy service for care experienced people. The post The Promise Scotland publishes its scoping report to the Scottish Government appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
LGBTQIA+ Individual Advocacy now available in East Lothian. The post LGBTQIA+ Individual Advocacy now available in East Lothian appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Peer workers and volunteers are invited to attend the Peer Forum. The post Edinburgh Peer Collective Advocacy – Peer Forum appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
QUEERY - Community Event on Queer Activism and Mental Health. The post QUEERY: Queer Activism and Mental Health event appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Blog from Ellis about an upcoming community event on queer activism and mental health. The post QUEERY: Community Event on Queer Activism and Mental Health appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Peer workers and volunteers are invited to attend the Peer Forum. The post Edinburgh Peer Collective Advocacy – Peer Forum appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A blog from Collective Advocacy Worker, Angharad, about a new project in Edinburgh. The post A new start for Edinburgh Collective Advocacy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Housing is a human right is the focus of a recent letter to Scotland's housing minister. The post Housing is a human right appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The National Care Service and Independent Advocacy. The post The National Care Service and Independent Advocacy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Blog from Azra: what is the People's Conference? The post What is the People’s Conference? appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Everyone is welcome to join us to celebrate at CAPS AGM 2023! The post CAPS Independent Advocacy AGM 2023 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The People's Conference 2023: what makes a house a home? The post The People’s Conference 2023 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A group from the CAPS team recently visited the Lothian Health Services Archive. The post A history of mental health in Lothian appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
People in Edinburgh having their voices heard. The post People in Edinburgh having their voices heard appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
180 voices at Scotland’s biggest mental health art exhibition. The post Revolution! appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Exhibition team members call out for Out Of Sight Out Of Mind. The post Exhibition team members call out appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A blog from Malin, who provides independent advocacy to LGBTQIA+ adults in Midlothian. The post LGBTQIA+ Work Update appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
CAPS Experiences of Trauma group are currently working on a film. The post Images of brokenness and beauty appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The Scottish Government is planning to bring a new Human Rights Bill to the Scottish Parliament. The post Independent Advocacy and Human Rights Bill consultation appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Scotland's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been published, collective advocacy groups responded to the consultation. The post Scotland’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
People influencing mental health services in Edinburgh. The post People influencing mental health services in Edinburgh appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
New Independent Advocacy service for people who identify as LGBTQIA+. The post New LGBTQIA+ service launches appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition call for art 2023. The post OOSOOM call for art 2023 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
All are welcome to attend this experiences of psychosis workshop in Edinburgh. The post Exploring experiences of psychosis appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
CAPS’ managers Kyna and Ele, discuss what motivates them as Independent Advocacy workers. The post It could be any of us at any time appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Individual advocacy in action – Ceartas Advocacy. The post Individual advocacy in action – Ceartas Advocacy appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Consultation responses from the Lothian Voices collective advocacy group. The post Lothian Voices respond to proposals for mental health provision appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Reflections on the experience-led workshop series Insights into Ethnic Minority Mental Health. The post Insights into Ethnic Minority Mental Health – Reflections appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The Scottish Human Rights Incorporation Bill and Independent Advocacy The post Independent advocacy and the Scottish Human Rights Bill appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Queen Margaret University students respond to new experience-led workshops. The post <strong>Today I didn’t feel alone</strong> appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A blog from Ellis, collective advocacy worker for the Seen But Not Heard collective advocacy group. The post <strong>What I’ve learnt about eating disorders</strong> appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
How is Independent Advocacy protecting human rights? The post Independent Advocacy protecting human rights appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Please join us for a series of workshops about ethnic minority mental health. This event has now passed. The post Insights into Ethnic Minority Mental Health appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The People's Conference photos and summary. The post People’s Conference update appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Could you help improve services for men with eating disorders? The post Men and eating disorders research appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Please join us for a festive get together. This event has now passed. The post Festive get together! appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
A new project especially for people experiencing an eating disorder. The post New eating disorder service appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
CAPS Annual General Meeting 2022. This event has now passed. The post CAPS Independent Advocacy AGM 2022 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The People’s Conference: “The Price of Recovery”. This event has now passed. The post People’s Conference 2022 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The Peer Forum is aiming to improve experiences for peer workers and volunteers through a new survey. The post The Peer Forum survey appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
You are invited to the Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition launch. This event has now passed. The post Out of Sight Out of Mind launch appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
This event is about inclusivity of Minority Ethnic and LGBTQI+ communities in mental health. The post Intersectionality and mental health appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
200 Voices at Scotland’s biggest mental health art exhibition. The post 200 voices at Scotland’s biggest mental health art exhibition appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
CAPS participants and volunteers respond to a consultation on Scotland's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. The post What should Scotland’s strategy for improving mental health services be? appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
An autumn in-person volunteer meet up for all CAPS volunteers. This event has now passed. The post Autumn Volunteer Meet Up appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
The Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Opens 11th October. The post Tenth Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Independent Advocacy and human rights: advocacy workers are human rights defenders. The post Independent Advocacy and human rights appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Changes to mental health laws may be coming. The post Changes to Mental Health Laws appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Gathering Peer Voices: networking and conversations on peer practice in Edinburgh. The post Gathering Peer Voices – Reconnection appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Lothian Voices project is looking for new members to help plan the People's Conference. The post People’s Conference seeking volunteers appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Call for respondents! Men and eating disorders survey. The post Men and eating disorders survey appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Launch of a tool to help make mental health services more inclusive of the LGBTQI+ community. The post LGBT+ Mental Health Audit Tool refresh launch appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
June newsletter is published! The post Newsletter June 2022 appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS
Job Vacancies: Children & Young People’s Individual Advocacy Workers The post Children & Young People’s Individual Advocacy Workers appeared first on CAPS.| CAPS