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UK Advocacy Network (UKAN)

14-18 West Bar Green
Sheffield S1 2DA

TELEPHONE: 0114 272 8171

FAX: 0114 272 8171

E-MAIL ADDRESS:  ukan@can-online.org.uk

WEBSITE ADDRESS

PATIENTS FORUM CONTACT PERSON

Terry Simpson

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

UKAN is a national federation of independent mental health user run patients councils, support groups, advocacy projects and user forums. It collects and disseminates information about patients’ councils, advocacy, projects and user forums and provides this information in order to facilitate wider development of user involvement and user led mental health services.

MEMBERSHIP

Local groups. There are two tiers of membership: Fully affiliated – for groups which are user run; Associated – for groups which are not fully user run, but may be working towards that aim.

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

UKAN responds to consultation documents on mental health which are produced by the government at NHS. Representatives participated in the government policy working groups on mental health, the IRG and ERG, and many members participated in the Mental Health Act Review Scoping study. UKAN is currently considering a response to the Green Paper on the Mental Health Act. UKAN has taken a position of calling for a ban on the use of Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) while further research is carried out to establish its effectiveness and safety. Current work includes a project to involve people from ethnic minorities, training and development work and user involvement and consultation.

NETWORKING

UKAN networks with other national mental health service user and survivor groups including Mindlink, Survivors Speak Out, US Network (Wales) and Scottish User Network. Representatives are invited to the Management Committee meetings and national meeting held. UKAN provides representatives to other groups when requested. UKAN also networks with the Mental Health Foundation, Royal College of Psychiatrists, MIND and Sainsburys Centre.

COMMUNICATION

A newsletter is produced quarterly entitled "The Advocate". The management committee is made up of regional representatives who meet four times a year. All member groups are invited to the Annual General Meeting.

STAFFING

Part-time: 5

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA COVERED

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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