Voices Of eXperience (VOX)

31/07/2026

Have you attended Victoria Hospital A&E in Kirkcaldy in the last five years while experiencing mental ill health or a mental health crisis?

VOX Scotland wants to hear about your experience, including any staff, support or approaches that made a positive difference, as well as what could have been better.

You can take part whether you attended A&E for a physical health reason, a mental health reason, or both.

Your views will help us build a clearer picture of people’s experiences and develop recommendations for improving mental health support in A&E.

Complete the questionnaire here: https://fe3f3zzl3jq.typeform.com/to/AkM3qLMv

29/07/2026

Have you attended A&E in Scotland in the last five years while experiencing mental ill health or a mental health crisis?

VOX Scotland wants to hear about your experience, whether you attended for a physical health reason, a mental health reason, or both.

We want to understand what helped, what made things more difficult and what could improve the mental health support available when people attend A&E.

The questionnaire includes multiple-choice questions, as well as opportunities to share more about your experience if you choose. https://fe3f3zzl3jq.typeform.com/to/AkM3qLMv

Share your views:

27/07/2026

It’s !

We are run by, and for, people with lived experience of mental ill health. We represent our members’ views to Scottish Government, the NHS and others to influence mental health policy and practice. Join for free! Find out more

vox scotland Become a Vox Member Join Vox Scotland as a member for free and be part of changing Scotland for the better. Join Us – become a Vox Scotland member Our members shape everything we do at Vox Scotland. Our work is about making your voice heard and driving positive change for everyone who...

24/07/2026

We’re revisiting our recent lived experience report on the Newfield model and what it could teach us about improving access to primary care across Scotland.

VOX Scotland spoke to patients and staff at Newfield Medical Group in Dundee, alongside VOX members using GP practices elsewhere in Scotland.

At Newfield, patients can phone throughout the day and speak directly to a GP. They described getting timely help, avoiding the stressful 8am rush and feeling reassured that support would be available when they needed it.

This contrasted sharply with experiences shared by VOX members elsewhere, including repeated calls, appointments running out, difficulties explaining mental health needs to reception staff and people delaying seeking help because the process felt overwhelming.

Newfield received a 97% positive rating for ease of contact in the 2026 Health and Care Experience Survey. Its overall care rating was 20 percentage points higher than the Scotland-wide result.

The findings remain highly relevant. Our report asks the Scottish Government to learn from what is working, pilot the Newfield access model elsewhere and redesign primary care with lived experience at its heart.

Revisit the report:

22/07/2026

has published its latest Voices in Action paper, Together After Su***de.

Drawing on the experiences of 186 people across Highland affected by su***de, it explores peer support, belonging, stigma, accessible support and lived experience-led change.

Read: https://simplebooklet.com/20260612spiritadvocacyvia5tas

Feedback: https://bit.ly/TogetherAfterSu***deFeedbackPoll

Please be mindful that the report discusses su***de and bereavement

20260612 VIA5 Together After Suc

20/07/2026

It's ! Do you want to make sure that what you have to say on mental health is heard? Join VOX Scotland! We're Scotland’s national collective advocacy organisation for mental health & our members voices drive our work. Sign up here

vox scotland Become a Vox Member Join Vox Scotland as a member for free and be part of changing Scotland for the better. Join Us – become a Vox Scotland member Our members shape everything we do at Vox Scotland. Our work is about making your voice heard and driving positive change for everyone who...

17/07/2026

Elections bring new appointments and new political priorities.
But for people trying to access mental health support, the important questions remain:

Can I get help when I need it?
Will services work together?
Will I have to tell my story again and again?
Will decisions be made with people like me, or about us without us?

VOX Scotland’s 2026 manifesto was shaped by people with lived experience of mental illness. We will continue pressing Scotland’s decision-makers to turn commitments into meaningful change.

Read our pre-election manifesto and find out more about being a member

Be part of change: join Vox Scotland as a member   The Situation in Scotland Scotland is facing a profound and growing mental health crisis. Demand for support is rising faster than services can respond. Our members have shared with us that they experience long waits, inconsistent support, overstre...

15/07/2026

We bring together people with lived experience of ill mental health and make sure their collective voice reaches the people shaping Scotland’s laws, policies and services.

That can mean:

Listening to members about what is and isn’t working.

Responding to consultations and calls for evidence.

Producing lived-experience research.

Bringing members and decision-makers together.

Campaigning for mental health services that are fairer, safer and more responsive.

VOX is run for and by people with lived experience. Our members don’t simply contribute to our work. They shape it.

Find out more or become a member

We represent your views to Scotland’s politicians and health professionals to ensure our laws and mental health services reflect your needs and interests.

10/07/2026

Want to keep up with VOX Scotland without relying on social media algorithms?

Our news page is where we post updates on what we are doing, what we are responding to, and what members might want to know.

Bookmark it and check in when you can:

vox scotland News & Blogs Keep up to date with everything Vox Scotland Supporting Mental Health and Voice Through Community Workshops by Paula Fraser | May 8, 2026 | Miscellaneous | 0 CommentsVOX Scotland, in partnership with Kairos Women, delivered a series of three wellbeing workshops for members....