Advocacy West Wales – A voice when you need it most
Carmarthenshire county provides the following services:
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
- Community Mental Health Service
- Carer Services
- Drop-In Mental Health Advocacy Services
See below for more details
1. Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
Access to an IMHA is a statutory right for people of any age in hospital being treated or assessed for a mental health condition whether or not they are detained under most sections of the Mental Health Act. People also have a right to an IMHA while living in the community under guardianship, a community treatment order (CTO), conditional discharge or extended Section 17 leave. When someone is detained in hospital or on a CTO it can be a very confusing and distressing experience. IMHAs are independent of mental health and other services and will help you explore your options, get your views heard, make informed decisions and understand and uphold your rights and entitlements. IMHA can make a big difference to people’s experience of detention and are highly valued by people who use services. However, research shows that only about half the people who are entitled to an IMHA actually get one.
Contact: on
Telephone: 01267 223197
Or send our IMHA referral form to imha@advocacywestwales.org.uk
2. The Community Mental Health Service
This provides direct 1:1 independent advocacy support to individuals with a serious mental health problem who are 18 years old and over living in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire
Who do we work with?
We work with people who are receiving help from the Community Mental Health Service or people who feel they need more help with their mental health than they are currently receiving.
We work with people who have capacity to make decisions as well as those who have been assessed to lack mental capacity to make certain decisions.
What is our role?
We will explore with a client what their issues are and how an advocate may support them. Our role is to help people be as fully involved as possible to influence any decisions that affect their lives. If we are not able to meet your needs within our service, if it is at all possible we will do our best to try and signpost you to someone who may be able to help.
Contact:
Telephone: 01267 231122 – a 24 hour answerphone service is in operation
Or send our Community referral form to referrals@advocacywestwales.org.uk
Community Referral Form – English
3. Carer services
We provide advocacy support for the carer of an individual with mental health issues in our Carmarthen branch. The aim of the project is to help carers to access their rights and to assist with accessing services which may support them e.g. respite, benefits, care planning. We can provide support which includes carers assessments and assistance when it comes to discharge of the person they care for if they have been in hospital or in respite.
Most carers do not know they are carers or identify as one so they may be unsure of the rights they have.
Some carers may need assistance knowing how to access services or what to ask for such as the process of obtaining a power of attorney. We can also assist in finding out information about local support groups for carers as well as to support them to access their rights. We are here to give carers a voice as well as access their rights. Sometimes the carer just wants assistance in knowing what to do to assist the person they are caring for. We would signpost and offer information about that particular issue. We can then also offer advocacy support for the cared for person so that both carer and cared for have access to independent advocacy.
For more information about carer advocacy in Carmarthenshire contact 01267 231122.
4. Drop-In Mental Health Advocacy Services – at venues across the county
Advocacy West Wales leaflets
Access Advocacy West Wales leaflets with service information