Advocacy is at
The Dennis Scott Unit Edgware Community Hospital, Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, Middx HA8 0AD.

Tel:  0208 732 6540
Email: advocacy@mindinbarnet.org.uk

Opening Times: Monday to Friday      9.00am – 5.00pm

Definition:

Advocacy is about helping individual service users obtain solutions to their individual needs,
in ways that they choose.

Description of Service:

We offer one to one support to people experiencing mental health problems in hospital or in the community who are residents of the London Borough of Barnet.

We aim to empower people to express their views and concerns and to have them taken seriously. We will if asked represent these on your behalf.

We work independently offering support to people on issues they feel are important.
We can assist people to access information and services, explore choices and options, and defend and promote their rights.

All matters discussed with an advocate are confidential unless it is felt that the information is threatening to the client or others. Some things may need to be written down, but any records kept will be available to you.

Work in Hospital Settings Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA):

We provide advocacy support in the following hospitals:-
The Dennis Scott Unit Edgware Community Hospital
The Springwell Unit Barnet General Hospital

We proactively visit the wards of these hospitals and offer support in order for inpatients of those settings to have a voice.  We also provide surgeries on the wards at these hospitals, so inpatients can have a central point to access the advocates.

Examples of the issues which we can support you with are ward rounds, out patient’s appointments, care programme approach meetings, Mental Health Review Tribunals as well as Hospital Managers meetings  making complaints, and providing information about your rights in the Mental Health Act.

We can provide this support to patients who are detained under certain sections of the mental Health Act including s2, s3, s 17a s 37 and s37/41.

Work in Community Settings:

The Advocacy team also provide support to individuals, in a community setting who live in Barnet or whose care is funded by The London Borough of Barnet.

We support people to express their views and concerns in order to promote their independence and wellbeing.
This support is to people living in their own homes, council tenants, and for people living in residential homes.

We can help on a number of matters such as medication reviews, complaints, safeguarding,  information about your rights, legal, social issues.  Meetings with professionals such as GP’s, Nurses, Social Workers and Managers. We do not provide support around welfare rights issues.

Specialist Services for Older People:

Advocacy is provided to people aged 65 and over living in the Borough of Barnet. We provide outreach at the Silkstream Unit Barnet Hospital and at various local nursing and residential homes.

The aim is to promote independence and well-being.

This issues covered are complaints, medication reviews ward rounds, CPA meetings, accessing services or professionals and accessing legal services.