What is Oor Mad History?

We are
  • a community history project
  • in Edinburgh and the Lothians, Scotland
  • run by volunteers who are or have been involved in collective advocacy in the Lothians
  • supported by our Community History Worker, Kirsten Maclean
  • hosted by CAPS Independent Advocacy
  • funded by NHS Lothian
What do we do?
  • celebrate the achievements of the mental health service user movement in the Lothians
  • preserve our history
How do we do it?
  • recording oral history interviews with activists and allies – the interviewers are volunteers who use or who have used mental health services
  • creating and organising an archive of written material such as reports and posters, and other objects
Why?
  • It is important for us to look back and acknowledge our achievements, learn from mistakes, and better understand our ability to make a difference
  • Knowing our history strengthens us as groups of mental health service users and helps us fight better for more improvements and progress.
Who else benefits?
  • people who work with people with mental health problems
  • people who do mental health training and education
  • people who research topics to do with mental health problems, disability, involvement, health and care, services, stigma and discrimination, social inclusion…
  • people who are interested in anything to do with mental health.
What have we done so far?
  • produced a book and a CD of voices (available from CAPS)
  • an exhibition which ran from 2 to 14 October, 2010
  • a living archive which can be added to over the years.
What next? 
We are looking at different options to take the work forward and to preserve our history. Keep in touch to find out more. Follow this blog or email Kirsten to be on our email list.