AdvoCard is an Edinburgh-wide advocacy project for adults who have experience of mental ill health. We provide a free, independent and confidential service which supports people in getting their voices heard.

Our long-term aim is to work towards a community where each individual's needs are met and where people have greater influence over the services they use.

AdvoCard has three services.

• Volunteer delivered advocacy service - which focuses on advocating for individuals living in the community in Edinburgh around a wide range of issues that effect their lives. This service is delivered through volunteer advocacy workers. You can find out more about this service here.

• Mental Health Act advocacy service - an advocacy service which focuses on advocating for people living in ther community in Edinburgh, who either face compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act 2003 and/or want to use the safeguards (advance statements, named persons etc) within the Act. This service is delivered through employed advocacy workers. You can find more about this service here.
  
  
• Hospital advocacy service - which focuses on providing individual advocacy to anyone using the following services at the Royal Edinburgh hospital: acute admission wards (including Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit), rehabilitation services, forensic services, older people's services and Young People's services and associated services. You can find out more about this service here.