About Cooperation

Since its inception Friends of Antara UK has recognised the value of cooperation. Health professionals or organisations and those affected by mental health problems, in both India and the UK, can benefit from the exchange of information and experience of their counterparts. Ultimately cooperation can be an effective tool for advancing mental healthcare. 

How you can be involved

Medical Electives

Since 2007 Friends of Antara UK has assisted a number of medical students from Birmingham and Leeds Univerisites to elective experiences. We expect medical students to work according to their skill level in the UK and unlike volunteers you will work under the medical team directly. Elective experiences can offer exposure to:

• Psychiatry and some general healthcare in a complex social, economic and cultural environment.
• Different healthcare systems and health providers in the area.
• Local therapeutic approaches including yoga, meditation, art and drama therapy.
• A range of clinical skills including taking histories, examining, laboratory work, pharmacy and working with translators.
• A variety of clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient and community.
• Paediatric psychiatry and children with complex special needs.
• Case-conferences on difficult cases.
• The roles of the multi-disciplinary team

Elective students are required to apply through our general volunteer programme before December 31st of the year before the elective placement. We do not currently charge for electives. See our volunteering page for more details.

Note bursaries for medical electives are avaiable from various sources including the South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF)

Professional Exchange

A professional exchange with Germany helped Antara's staff gain ideas for the development of new children's services whilst German health workers benefited from witnessing different approaches to mental health.

Inspired by this example Friends of Antara UK is looking for individuals or organisations in the UK willing to organise such an exchange. We particularly welcome psychologists, medical professionals, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and other therapists or mental health workers. Contact us for details.

Organisational Exchange

In the past Friends of Antara UK has made connections to mental health organisations working in the UK. To date this has mainly consisted of exchange of creative work and personal correspondence between patients. Ultimately we aim to establish more sustained connections with exchange of expertise, knowledge or health workers. If you, or your organisation, may be interested in being involved please contact us.