Intervoice & The Hearing Voices Movement

What is Intervoice?

Intervoice (International Hearing Voices Projects) is a charity, registered in the UK, that aims to support the International Hearing Voices Movement by connecting people, sharing ideas, distributing information, highlighting innovative initiatives, encouraging high quality respectful research and promoting its values across the world.

We are currently funded solely by membership fees and donations. Our trustees (‘The Board’) are elected at our AGM by members of the charity, and come from around the world. They include people with expertise gained through experience, training and/or profession, all of whom are passionate about the Hearing Voices Movement.

What is the Hearing Voices Movement?

The International Hearing Voices Movement consists of the diverse conversations, initiatives, groups and individuals around the world that share some core values. These include: hearing voices, seeing visions and related phenomena are meaningful experiences that can be understood in many ways; hearing voices is not, in itself, an indication of illness – but difficulties coping with voices can cause great distress; when people are overwhelmed by their experiences, support offered should be based on respect, empathy, informed choice and an understanding of the personal meaning voices have in someone’s life.

As a movement of diverse people, countries and ideas, we recognise the importance of hearing and including many voices. As such beside our basic values we do not speak with one voice. We welcome multiple perspectives and ways of contributing. Change can happen on an individual, group, community and societal level – so whether you are working towards making sense of your own voice hearing experience, sharing information in your social circles, trying to improve the support on offer to others or are creating systemic change – we welcome you.

Membership

Am I a member of the International Hearing Voices Movement?

If you are asking this question, the most likely answer is ‘yes’. The movement has no formal membership structure, no governing body or leadership. It exists solely because of people, like you, that share its values. If you want to be a part of this, you are.

You can link up with other members of the international movement via our Facebook page, twitter or by using our website as well as coming to the World Hearing Voices Congress. You can link up with local members by joining a national network, local group or – where none are available – launching your own initiative.

How do Intervoice and the Movement connect?

Intervoice aims to support the movement, not lead or govern it.

As such, Intervoice:

Hosts a website and social media platforms that facilitate information sharing and enables people to connect with one another

Provides support and guidance to a national hearing voices network that agrees to host the annual International Hearing Voices Congress

Distributes a regular e-newsletter to anyone who wishes to receive it

Answers email enquiries, which often include requests for local support, information and research

Hosts the International Hearing Voices Research Committee, chaired by dr. Eleanor Longden, to promote high quality and ethical research into areas voice hearers Identify as important

Where possible, works with local groups in countries without Hearing Voices Networks to support the development of initiatives

Provides a focal point for campaigns and initiatives, e.g. ‘One of a million’ and ‘World Hearing Voices Day’

Can I become a member of Intervoice, the charity?

Whilst everyone involved in the Hearing Voices Movement is a member of it, Intervoice – as a registered charity – has a more formal membership structure. Members of Intervoice have the right to vote at the charity’s AGM and, to ensure the charity operates within a legal framework, it is important that we know who our members are and how to contact them.

We welcome individual and group members, and membership fees are collected annually.

Intervoice is funded solely by membership fees and donations, so our members really do help directly support our work.

To join Intervoice, the charity, click here.