What is Norfolk Mental Health Advocacy Service (NMHAS)?
Norfolk Mental Health Advocacy Service supports users of mental health services to make sure that their views and concerns are heard by others
What is advocacy?
Advocates work with users of mental health services, both in the community and in hospital or residential settings.
The role of an advocate is to:
- Ensure that the views of mental health service users are heard by others
- Help people access the services they need, and provide them with information so that they can make informed choices
- Empower people to speak up for themselves
Advocates do not express their own views, opinions, or prioritise options for people. Their role is to listen to service users, discuss their concerns, and find out exactly what she or he really wants. Advocates will give support and provide information about specific issues, but only to help people make informed decisions. Advocates will support service users to speak up for themselves, and will only speak on their behalf when they are asked to do so.
What we can help with:
- Provide support at ward rounds, mental health tribunals, care plan meetings and reviews
- Support people at GP appointments, particularly when people want to discuss medication issues or be referred to specialist services
- Ensure that informal or formal complaints are dealt with
- Contact solicitors and other professionals on behalf of service users
Independence
This service is independent. Advocates work on behalf of the person using the service and not relatives, professionals or statutory services. We will only talk to other people on behalf of service users when we have permission to do so, except in exceptional circumstances.
Who can refer to the service?
People can refer themselves to the service. We also accept referrals from professionals, family members etc. but can only work with people who want support from an advocate.
Contact details:
Norfolk Mental Health Advocacy Service
15 Manor Farm Barns
Framingham Pigot
Norwich
NR14 7PZ
Tel. 01508 491229
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