NSF(S) is a member of the Allies in Change consortium, which has attracted about £200,000 funding from the Scottish Executive. The purpose of Allies in Change is to train carers and users to cope with meetings at all levels, from individual case conferences to Board and Scottish Executive level, particularly since the Framework for Mental Health for Scotland determines that carers and users should be properly represented. Representation is all very well and good, but without appropriate preparation and awareness of all the issues involved the presence of the carer and user will be no more than a token gesture. For a copy of the Allies in Change Newsletter and other information, contact Anne Connor, Project Manager (0131 538 7717) during office hours. For a report on the launch of Allies in Change, see Page One of the NSF(S) Newsletter for Summer 1999.