Project details

Summary

What is the study about? 

The Mental Health Act Review identified the need for culturally appropriate advocacy. This led to a national scoping review of advocacy to identity best practice. Pre-pilots were previously delivered to understand what may help or prevent different types of culturally appropriate advocacy. 

Following on from the Mental Health Act review, City, University of London have been asked by the National Institute for Health Research to evaluate two Culturally Appropriate Advocacy Pilots. 

What are you trying to find out?

This evaluation aims to build on a national scoping review, and pre-pilot concept-testing, to understand the best way to implement culturally appropriate advocacy, and whether it can provide accessible, effective and appropriate support to Black, Asian and minority ethnic people.

We will be carrying out interviews with people who identify as belonging to a Black, Asian, or minority ethnic community, and who have experienced using a culturally appropriate advocate.

What does taking part involve?

If you decide to take part we will arrange either a face-to-face or a telephone call for an initial conversation with you at a mutually convenient time. This will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about the study. If you would still like to take part after the initial conversation we can then arrange a convenient time for an interview to take place. 

Taking part will involve attending one interview (in person or over Microsoft Teams or zoom) with a member of our research team. The conversation will be about what makes a good advocacy service and your feelings about that in relation to your ethnic or racial identity. We will audio record the interview and transcribe it later (type up the interview) for analysis. The interview will last about one hour. The length depends how much you have to say about the topic. 

.After the interview we would like you to complete a short demographic question (e.g. age, gender, religion) and the medical section of this questionnaire is optional.

In recognition of your time, you will be paid £25 in vouchers or via bank transfer as you prefer. A researcher will discuss this with you before the interview. Any reasonable travel expenses you have for attending in-person will be reimbursed. Receipts for travel must be brought to the interview.

Who is it for?

Service users: We would like to hear the views of people who self-define as Black Asian or minority ethnic who have received support from a culturally appropriate advocate and people who have chosen not to meet with an advocate.

Staff: We would like to hear from staff who have experience and knowledge of the CAA pilots. You will be able to contribute to research to help us understand how the pilots have operated, and to explore factors associated with the way CAA has been provided.

Why is it important? 

This research will help us understand how advocacy can be improved so Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people have a better experience of mental health care. We will produce a report which will detail how advocacy can be improved and this will be shared with advocacy organisations. 

How can I find out more?

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page.    

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, click the button below to email us:

Email the research team