Advocacy & Legal Services

I had been a service user for over ten years; I was heading for yet another crisis and decided that I would phone a voluntary organisation to ask for help. I phoned Stockport MIND and a kind lady on the phone suggested that I speak to their Advocate. I had never heard of Advocacy and certainly did not know what an Advocate did. The next day the Advocacy worker from Stockport MIND came to my house. We had a chat and he explained how he could help. Initially he accompanied me to an appointment with my Psychiatrist. Just the fact that someone had taken the time out to listen to my concerns and come with me to voice them, enabled me to say what I had been trying to say for nearly five years. I had been going to out patient appointments on my own every three months without any other support, I never felt able to be honest with the Psychiatrist and if he asked how I was I said ‘fine’. I felt vulnerable and was frightened that if I was honest I could end up back in hospital. This was not to be the case as I now had someone I trusted who knew the system and was there to help me find the best way for me to help myself. The Advocate suggested I had a word with a colleague at Stockport MIND who linked me up with a Counsellor. Since this I have never looked back, I went on and did some training in Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy and am now myself a Volunteer Advocate with Stockport MIND.

Stockport Mind’s Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service (IMHA)

Address: Dove House, 65 Union Street Stockport SK1 3NP
Phone: 0161 480 7393
Fax: 0161 480 7393
Website: http://www.stockportmind.org.uk
Contact Name: Hilary Barnsley
Referral: No
Comment: The service aims to help people speak up for their rights, particularly when they are not being listened to or their views or wishes are not being taken seriously. This service is for people being detained under the mental health act in hospital or subject to a Community Treatment Order. There is no age restriction for this service.

Stockport, Tameside and Glossop Crisis Accommodation & Home Support Service

Address: Stockport Mind, Black Lion, 41 Middle Hillgate, Stockport.
Phone: 0161 480 7393
E-mail: info@cahss.org.uk
Website: http://www.cahss.org.uk
Contact Name: Gill Hall
Office Hours: 9am-5pm
Phone Hours: 9am-5pm. Referral by self, GP, social worker or other professional.
Referral: No
Comment: This service provides vaying levels of support to people in crisis, including problem solving, counselling, crisis resolution and psychological support at home or in supported accommodation.

Robert Lizar (Moss Side)

Address: 101 Princess Road, Moss Side, M14 4RB
Phone: 0161 227 7777
Fax: 0161 227 7788
E-mail: info@robertlizar.com
Website: http://www.robertlizar.com
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Comment: Specialists in mental health law

Peter Edwards

Address: Ventura House, 8 Market Street, Hoylake, CH47 2AE
Phone: 0151 632 6699
Fax: 0151 632 0090
E-mail: peteredwards@peteredwardslaw.com
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Comment: Specialists in Mental Health, Community Care & Incapacity Law