The Ceartas 12^th AGM took place at Kirkintilloch Baptist Church back in December and welcomed around fifty guests including service users, professionals and guests from other organisations.

The theme of this year’s event was “Advocacy: the difference it makes to me” and focused on service users and their stories about the impact Ceartas has made in their lives.

Chair of Service User Forum Nicola Williamson opened proceedings and welcomed all participants before Ceartas Chairperson Martin Brickley spoke about the work of the organisation since last meeting.

He went on to introduce service user Douglas McNicol who spoke about his experience of the service, before introducing Treasurer Allan Geekie to discuss the finances.

Director Marion Menzies followed with legal information about future plans concerning the status of the organisation before service user Tam Willson spoke about his association with Ceartas.

Dr Joe Morrow, President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland, went on to speak about at the demand for advocacy workers in the rising number of mental health cases across Scotland. He spoke passionately about the importance of advocacy through his own personal experience with the service.

CEO Gordon Thomson spoke about plans for the year ahead and closed the proceedings.

Prior to the meeting and during lunch there was an opportunity to view our photo exhibition, “Ceartas in pictures by Brian Carroll”: a project that focussed on a year in the life of Ceartas.

See below for the photos that made the cut and for our 2015/16 Annual Report.

Ceartas Annual Report 2016