AdvoCard - Edinburgh

Information About AdvoCard

AdvoCard is a notable non-profit organization located at 4 Duncan Pl, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 8HW, which specializes in Mental Health Services. For those looking to engage with this service, it's crucial to know that you can reach them directly at 08081963525 or visit their informative website advocard.org.uk for more details. This organization stands out not only for its mission but also for its wheelchair-accessible entrance and well-equipped toilets, ensuring a comfortable and accessible experience for all visitors.

When considering AdvoCard, it's worth noting that they have garnered 10 reviews on Google My Business, which, while a decent number, also prompts a look at the average opinion which stands at a respectable 3.9/5. This average suggests that while there may be areas for improvement, the overall satisfaction with the services offered is positive.

For anyone searching for mental health services, AdvoCard presents itself as a promising choice. Their specialization in this critical field means they likely offer a range of support and resources tailored to meet diverse needs. The physical location in Leith, a vibrant area of Edinburgh, makes it easily accessible to those in the vicinity.

One of the key features that might attract potential clients is the wheelchair-accessible entrance and facilities. This indicates a commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that mental health support is available to everyone, regardless of physical ability.

To those considering reaching out, whether for support, advice, or to learn more about their services, it's recommended to start by visiting their website. Here, you can find comprehensive information about the services they provide, how to get involved, or even how to offer support. The website also provides a platform to read and leave reviews, which can offer valuable insights into their operations and the experiences of their clients.

👍 Reviews of AdvoCard

Dina S.

5/5

I of course can speak only of my own experience, but I just wish I'd known of Advocard years ago. I have been struggling to be heard on my own, and finally decided to have a witness to the debacle that the Scottish NHS mental health system has become. I'm not sure how I would have made it through my last appointment without having an advocate there with me, if only to validate things I've been experiencing for years. But, my advocate did more than that. She stepped in precisely when needed, asked the hard questions I was unable to ask, and made sure I was okay after the (rather awful) appointment was over. I can definitely recommend this service, and I am very thankful for it.

Peter M.

1/5

It`s a total lottery as to whether you get an advocacy worker that`s any good or one who is not only useless, but who effectively undermines you due to a lack of training and knowledge. Unfortunately, a close relative of mine`s had one who was totally useless if not out right dangerous. For example, when his consultant breached NHS Lothian`s confidentiality guidelines and discussed him with his father without his permission, the volunteer advocacy worker categorically stated the Consultant had been right to do this. Strangely enough, contrary to what the idiot "advocacy worker" stated, NHS Complaints is investigating the Consultant having breached it`s own confidentiality guidelines! I could go on and on about the endless list of inaccurate statements the so called advocacy worker made, but suffice to say he was totally useless. Although the manager promised to give my relative the name of an alternative advocacy worker within a week, although the week has since long past, my relative has still to be given the name of his new advocacy worker as promised by the manager. Not only has this so called Advocay service been worse than useless, but they have wasted hours of my relatives time and energy. Is it not shocking that you have to complain about the very agency that it meant to be giving you support to make a complaint. Perhaps the fact that this organisation is funded by both NHS Lothian and the Social Work Department is a contributory factor to its unwillingness to challenge the very organisations it is dependent upon for it`s funding?

Dot T.

1/5

Due to the fact that I have an honours degree, am a trained psychiatric nurse and have a diploma in counselling, I have assisted to train volunteer advocacy workers at advocard.
I have also been on the other side of the counter when I recently accompanied a close relative to advocard for support. Whilst the fist advocacy worker they had (Paul) was excellent, the second advocacy worker (Blythe) was not only totally useless, but was outright dangerous for the following reasons:-
* Blythe told my relative he had no grounds for complaining about his social worker who had been extremely unprofessional. Contrary to what Blythe had advised, after I assisted my relative to make a complaint about his social worker, he was given a full apology from the social work department and also given a change of social worker at his request.
* When my relative wanted Blythe to support him regarding the manager at Penumbra wishing to reduce his staff support hours to save on funding, Blythe responded to my relative (in my presence) by saying that if he was the manager at Penumbra he would also be trying to cut his staff support time to save on funding due to the current pressure they have on their budgets I had to remind Blythe that he was meant to be an advocate for my relatve and not the manager at Penumbra!
*When Blythe accompanied us to a meeting with my relative`s consultant, although we had asked him to take minutes, he failed do so. This led to him being unable to recall accurately what had been said at the meeting!
*When my close relative expressed his concern to Blythe about his consultant having spoke to his estranged father over the phone without his permission, Blythe defended the Consultant by stating that he had been entitled to speak his father without his permission owing to the fact that he was his next of kin. As confirmed by my relative`s medical notes, the assumption that Blythe had made regarding his father being his next of kin was totally inaccurate. As was confirmed by NHS Lothian, even if his father was his next of kin, my relative`s consultant should have obtained his permission prior to speaking over the phone with his estranged father. In attempt to defend my relative`s Consultant, Blythe had given us totally inaccurate information.
Due to Blythe continually giving us incorrect information and being an advocate for the very people my relative wanted his help to complain about, we were forced to ask Karen the manager at Advocard for an alternative advocacy worker. For the benefit of future clients, we also requested the manager to ensure that Blythe received adequate retraining.. As yet we have never received any such reassurance from Karen the manager. (Blythe had (very unprofessionally) told my relative and myself that Karen was totally disorganised, that she had severe arthritis and therefore had to work part time. Katrina who had been the co- ordinator, had left to go to another job. Perhaps the latter factors have all contributed to Advocard currently having someone like Blythe as a volunteer when he is not only totally useless, but outright dangerous. It is most concerning if Blythe has been allowed to continue as a volunteer advocacy worker despite us having expressed our concerns to management.

Astrid J.

5/5

Very positive experience of using this service and couldn't have managed to navigate through issues without their help. I recommend using their services if you are facing any issues within mental health services. I can't thank this service enough.

Sofie D.

3/5

I have had good and
Bad experience My Advocard supported my ex who turned on everyone including the Social work department in his deluded ego the only person he damaged was me and my relations to my son

Susan J. (.

5/5

Excellent advocacy agency for people needing advice and support. Not a tourism service.

Tricia M.

5/5

Am writing on the behalf off my mum the service my mum got from advocard was excellent as I couldn't go with my mum and the lady who helped my mum was excellent .thank you from junior

Scott M.

5/5

Free advocate for those with mental illness using services. Very good.