‘The estimated number of Flintshire residents who may experience mental / emotional distress in any one year are

22,430

of

these

4,000 may require specialist help and 350 will require ongoing support and care’   

(Flintshire County Council – Adult Mental Health Service Plan)

• In 1999 a need for advocacy was identified by a Social Service working party, that resulted in research being undertaken to identify the model of advocacy required in Flintshire.
• The Flintshire Mental Health Advocacy Service began in 2000 with one    part time ‘scheme coordinator’ based in a very small office in Mold.
• With training delivered by the coordinator, volunteer advocates were soon working with people throughout Flintshire and the hospital units in the neighbouring counties.
• Within eight years, due to continuous development, there is now a full time Service Director, a full time Training & Development Officer, Administration, four part time advocates and several dedicated volunteers.
• The service now operates from offices at The English Methodist Church in Mold 
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•  In 2003 the service moved from the umbrella of Unllais (a voluntary sector development agency) and became a company limited by guarantee with a Board of Trustees. The service is a charity and works to the Action for Advocacy Quality Standards. 
• The Advocacy service is managed by the Board of Trustees, however the day to day management of the organisation and its staff is the responsibility of the Service Director.
•  
• Initial funding came from the supporting people’s monies from the Welsh Assembly Government; this was match funded by Flintshire Social Services for Adult Mental Health.
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• Now funded by Flintshire Local Health Board, Local Authority Adult Mental Health Services; Welsh Assembly Government, Help the Aged, Local Authority Older Peoples Services and Comic Relief.