The specialist older people's advocacy service is for individuals with functional mental health issues but not dementia related illnesses.

This is a 3 year project. Funding has been provided by Comic Relief under their UK Project Grants programme. The overall aim of the project is to develop and deliver a specialised older people’s independent advocacy service for residents of Leicester city, Leicestershire and Rutland who are receiving care from the Older People’s Services. This was a group of people for whom LAMP had not previously been able to provide advocacy, due to lack of funding.

The project began in June 2009. When developing the service the project leads aimed to produce a person centred and responsive service driven by the needs of the client group rather than a service that adhered rigidly to a static, inflexible structure. This has been achieved.

Inclusion criteria:

Note:  Functional mental health problems include depression, schizophrenia, and bi-polar disorder. Organic mental health problems include dementia and brain injury

• People of 65 years of age and over suffering with functional mental health problems who are receiving care as an informal patient/client from the Mental Health Services for Older People, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
• People of 65 years of age and over suffering with functional mental health problems who are receiving support in the community from the Mental Health Services for Older People, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and/or Adult Social Care Services.
• People under the age of 65 with functional mental health problems if they are receiving treatment/services from the Mental Health Services for Older People, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and/or Adult Social Care Services.
• People of 65 years of age and over suffering with functional mental health problems who are living in the community with support from their GP.
• People suffering with memory problems where symptoms of functional illness are seen to be the main problem. They will be assessed on an individual basis for inclusion in the project
• People over the age of 65 with no identified diagnosed mental illness but indications of functional mental health problems are evident will be assessed on an individual basis for inclusion in the project

Exclusion criteria:

• People of 65 years of age and over in the advanced stages of an organic mental health condition where it has been identified that they lack capacity to provide adequate instructions to an advocate.
• People of 65 years and over with functional mental health problems who are detained on a section of the Mental Health Act. (see Independent Mental Health Advocacy)

Progress to date

The service is in a process of review and refinement but the initial aims have been achieved and advocacy is now available to all eligible people currently receiving in-patient care within the identified areas and to people living in the community ( see Inclusion Criteria)  

What we can do to help you

• Accompany you to any relevant meetings with professionals from health or social services with you eg GP or Psychiatrist appointment, Social Services assessment  
• Make contact with any involved organisations/services on your behalf either by phone or by letter
• Assist you in accessing the appropriate health and Social Care services if you have previously not had contact.
• Assist you to identify and reflect on all your options
• Support you to speak out for your  self
• Signpost you to other agencies where needed

What we cannot do

• Give advice on finances/benefits
• Provide a befriending
• Provide transport
• Undertake general form filling
• Provide ‘physical care’ relating to physical health needs
• Provide counselling
• Provide social activities (except to accompany clients to events to provide moral support eg luncheon clubs)
• Provide a will writing service
• Represent a client in court case

The service we will provide for you will be person centred and confidential. We will respect your wishes at all times and only act as directed by you. Whilst not making decisions for you we will help you to identify all your options and seek a satisfactory outcome to your problem.

If you are interested in using our Older People's Advocacy Service contact Janice Lambert at LAMP on 0116 255 6286 or email janicelambert@lampdirect.org.uk.