Experts by experience

We are user run, we are experts by experience.

What does this mean? It means that the people who run, work and volunteer for VITAL have personal experience of being vulnerable, either as a mental health service user or carer. It means that we value mental health issues, and the everyday management of recovery from them as real assets to those who run and provide our services.

We believe this is important and underpins our organisational values. It means that we really do care about people being heard.

Our Vision

A society where judgemental attitudes, discrimination and social isolation are eradicated from the lives of those facing mental ill health or who feel vulnerable due to other factors including older age, trauma & illness.

Our Mission

Ensuring that the vulnerable and disadvantaged have a voice within the health and social care framework, whilst supported by experts by experience.

Our Values

TO ACT WITH INTEGRITY      
 – be honest, transparent and ethical in all that we do

TO BE PEOPLE CENTRED
 – staff, members and partners at the very heart of the organisation & decisions we make

BE RESPECTFUL  
– respect ourselves, colleagues, our workplace, members and all those we meet. Always treat others as we would like to be treated

BE INDEPENDENT
– remain impartial and non-judgemental
 
BE INNOVATIVE
– push boundaries at every corner of the organisation to achieve the best outcome possible

TO MAINTAIN EXCELLENCE
– be an inspirational service, recognised for our standards

All our advocacy services and advocates work to the nationally recognised Advocacy Charter and Code of Practice which you can read by clicking here.