Newport Mind are recruiting volunteers for mental health Peer Advocacy in the Newport, Gwent, South Wales area.

Are you:				Have you:
	Supportive				Experienced mental distress
	A Good Listener				and / or
	A Good Communicator				Used mental health services

If so, why not put your skills and experience to good use helping others as a:

What is Advocacy?
A simple definition of advocacy is helping and supporting someone else to speak up for what they want. This can involve expressing their views or acting on their behalf to secure services that they require or rights to which they are entitled. Key concepts in advocacy are: equality, inclusion, empowerment and rights.

What is Peer Advocacy?
Peer advocacy is support from advocates who themselves use or have used mental health services. In principal this includes advocates who have experienced mental distress of some form and obtained medical help.

What does Newport Mind Peer Advocacy do?
Newport Mind Peer Advocacy is a team of volunteer advocates who have undergone training, providing a much needed advocacy service for people in the Newport area who use or intend to use mental health services, either in the community or in hospital.

What training do the advocates have?
Trainee peer advocates attend a five day training course (one day each week) covering issues such as advocacy skills, listening skills, mental health law and assertiveness. Successful peer advocates receive on-the-job training and continued support from the Volunteer Organiser.

What would I be doing if I became a Peer Advocate?
You would be meeting with people on a one-to-one basis to discuss their advocacy needs and support them in this. Examples include helping someone to: write a letter, make phone calls, talk to professionals, get through meetings, obtain a solicitor, find information or make complaints.
Peer Advocates are required to volunteer at least half a day each week.

I’d really like to help. How do I start?
Contact the Volunteer Organiser by phone for a chat, or by letter or email if you prefer.

			Phone: 01633 245548 or 436716
			Email: david.hall@newport-mind.org

or contact the Newport Mind main office at:

Newport Mind, 2nd Floor, 100-101 Commercial St, Newport, South Wales, NP20 1LU

Tel: 01633 258741
Web: www.newport-mind.org

Newport Mind is a registered charity, no. 1036964.
Registered company no. 2916027