NSF (SCOTLAND) is a national charity providing support and direct services. There are several major laws which you will be asked to consider over the next few years which can have a direct effect on the well-being and quality of life of those with severe mental illness and their carers. Consultation has just started on the review of the 1984 Mental Health (Scotland) Act. Our members are involved in the consultation and we will provide you with information and advice as the recommendations are made. Other issues are coming forward for your action in the next few months. As a member of the Scottish Parliament we are asking you to support the Incapable Adults Bill ensure voluntary sector partners in Community Care are not disadvantaged learn about how people are coping with mental illness The Fellowship is a member of the Alliance for the Promotion of the Incapable Adults Bill. We believe that community care cannot work under the existing archaic and unfair laws which act against the interests of those with mental illness and their carers. Money matters - The current laws provide a very expensive way of dealing with an incapable adult's finances - a person's savings can be swallowed up by the administration costs. Savings cannot be used to support a person who is incapable when they move from a hospital to a community home. This must change. Personal and care matters. The person's own views must be taken into account and s/he should be given the opportunity to appoint someone he/she trusts to make personal and welfare decisions We urge you to support the bill when it is presented in the Scottish Parliament. We would be glad to give you a more detailed briefing.. NSF (SCOTLAND) is a member of Community Care Providers Scotland A number of issues concern us regarding community care services funded by the statutory sector and provided by voluntary organisations. The main ones are: Partnership working NSF (SCOTLAND) wants to work hand in hand with local authority and health service funders. In many cases, current agreements place unequal burdens on voluntary sector service providers. We want true partnership agreements. Can you help us achieve them? Resources for service provision Continuing difficulties are faced by us in coping with increased community care needs without corresponding increases in funding. Services which we provide on behalf of local authorities and health boards should not require services to be cut to pay for the modest cost-of-living increases for our staff and other overheads. We also need additional resources to achieve the continuous improvement which is wanted in line with Best Value. Promoting the voice of service users and carers Commitment to involving service users and carers is at the heart of community care policy. Voluntary organisations are key players in this process. For involvement to be truly meaningful, training and other costs to service users and carers must be met, as well as resources for staff support. Many people and their families are coping with mental illness. We supply support to those with experience of mental illness and their carers in many parts of the country (from Golspie to Stranraer). We run drop in centres, some with cafes, which open during the week and weekend We provide employment support and training We provide outreach support in rural areas We supply support to carers People who use our drop-in centres and our staff would be glad to meet you and tell you about our experiences. We can put you in touch with our projects round the country where you can meet the real experts - those with direct experience of the illness and their carers. The National Schizophrenia Fellowship (SCOTLAND) is a member led organisation which works to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of those affected by schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, including families and carers. We represent the interests of our 500+ members, and our service users, and promote meaningful involvement and empowerment of service users and carers in all support and services. NSF (SCOTLAND) provides community based services to carers and service users, provides information/education and promotes greater public understanding of schizophrenia Contacts: For general information: Ian Harper, Information Officer To meet some of our service users: Paddy Carstairs, Operations Manager Re the review of the Mental Health Act: Mary Weir, Chief Executive Address: NSF(SCOTLAND) Claremont House 130 East Claremont Street Edinburgh EH7 4LB Email: [email protected] Web site: www.nsfscot.org.uk Phone no: 0131 557 8969 Fax: 0131 557 8968