Lamp (Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project)

Lamp provide free to access one to one Independent Community Advocacy to adults (18+) living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who have a mental health condition. Our mission is to navigate people through the complexities of mental health support and empower them to rebuild their lives. Established in 1989, we offer a free independent service to support those with a mental health condition who are confused or vulnerable; offering a trusted guiding light to aid their mental health recovery journey. We pride ourselves on taking a person centred approach to care and be by the side of individuals feeling let down by NHS services, holding their hand and empowering them to speak up about the care they’re receiving. Our advocacy service can sometimes be a conversations with someone unsure where to turn or attending a GP or Psychiatrist appointments with the client. It can also be a number of conversations and appointments, exploring a person’s concerns and scoping out what options are available to them, challenging local mental health teams, phoning professionals involved with a person’s care to seek answers or updates (on behalf of the person) or researching and delving deeper into a person’s experiences (ie. symptoms of a mental health condition, to explain side effects of medication). A mental health advocate is someone who is on a person’s side at a time when they are most vulnerable or feeling overwhelmed or confused. A time when they are least equipped to navigate a complicated health system. An advocate is someone who can help someone take control and plan for the future as well as helping them to manage their wellbeing. What is Advocacy? ‘Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.’