0113 2470449 Fax: 0113 2470448
Advocacy for Mental Health and Dementia
office@advocacy4mhd.org.uk
I have been a user of the mental health service in Leeds for some years and have not been totally satisfied with what it offers. I would have liked to have been an advocate, and did try, but was not very good at it. However, I did want to be involved in advocacy and what it stands for, so instead I decided to apply myself to helping and supporting the organisation, and the people who work here. It is the best decision I ever made.
I’m old enough to have been around when LMHAG was founded, and remember the enthusiasm and persistence of the people who saw the need for advocacy and worked to persuade others that it should happen.
In those days, I was working as Development Officer for Mental Health in the Social Services Department, which was an exciting job as I was able to see new services in mental health develop in the city. Now, I’m retired from Social Services and seem to keep quite busy nevertheless.
I like the way in which LMHAG fights for people’s rights and for them to be heard. That is vital. I appreciate the privilege of being part of LMHAG and with all the staff team who work so hard with people.
In my “spare time”, I like singing, and walking in the countryside, and experimenting with new flavours in cooking (sometimes with good results….).
People often have real problems with my name and on more than one occasion, I have been addresses as Clodagh Rogers or Hilda Massey! Also, I have to spell my name quite often. Still, I like it!
The things I like to do to relax are sitting around in cafes, eating out with friends, and swimming and snorkelling (whenever I get the chance). I love travelling and reading as well.
My day job is with Leeds Social Services where I work with a small band of enthusiastic people and liaise with many more to deliver mental health training.
I feel privileged to be a committee member of Leeds Mental Health Advocacy Group. I know that many people have worked hard for 13 to 14 years now to set it up and keep it going. Sometimes I arrive at committee meetings frazzled and a bit tired. I always leave feeling inspired that the staff and other committee members are so brilliant and so committed to peoples rights and seem always prepared to listen to challenge.
I am a mental health service user of thirty three years and present Treasurer-member of LMHAG'S Management Committee. I also Chair "Hearing Voices Group Leeds" - a user led mental health support group, which meets in the "Blue Room" at LMHAG
People who suffer mental health problems are in a position of weakness and to regain their strength they need support. "Advocacy" can be part of that support. In my view advocacy has the following qualities.
The authority of advocacy can lead to much improved circumstances. Advocacy can be like a spark of magic. It builds up the hope of wellness in a person. In my own experience, the pressure of illness on my mind became a burden and I needed someone to influence and inspire me to think positively and have better feelings about my predicament.
An Advocate, in appropriate circumstances can be the source of this positive influence for many individuals.
I’ve been involved in mental health services since 1981 in Health, Social Services and now the voluntary sector which has given me a good understanding of what is available for people.
I know that services aren’t perfect and that service users can often find it difficult to be heard and listened to, particularly if they’re feeling vulnerable and powerless. The role of the advocate should enable and enhance a person’s ability to voice their needs and wishes without disempowering them.
I’m a strong believer in justice and expect that people should be treated fairly and with dignity and respect, which is why I‘m proud to be associated with AMHD as a service that strives to ensure that such rights are upheld.