History of BIAS

BIAS was formed as a pilot project in 1995 with support from Scottish Borders Council and the Community Care Forum.

We were initially based in Kelso and worked mainly with individuals with community care and/or health related complaints or concerns.

This generic form of advocacy was delivered by a dedicated team of volunteer advocates. Over the years, the project expanded to offer Citizen Advocacy for isolated, vulnerable people in our community and we developed an outreach project working with older people in residential care.

In 2005, changes in legislation made it a right for individuals being treated under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act to have access to independent advocacy. We were contracted by Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders to provide specialist advocacy to individuals with mental health related issues and to work with people with learning disabilities.

As the organisation grew, it changed its legal status in 2005, becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Scottish registered charity.

We continue to develop innovative projects aimed at supporting as many vulnerable and disempowered individuals in our community as possible.

Since we started, we have been fortunate in securing funding from a variety of sources (both statutory and charitable). These funders have included Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders, the Scottish Government, The Big Lottery, The Tudor Trust, Comic Relief, Lloyds TSB Foundation and The Lintel Trust.

As with any independent voluntary sector organisation, BIAS would be unable to offer the breadth of services currently available were it not for the generosity of other agencies and individuals.

Advocacy and SDS