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More information about advocacy
Types of advocacy Click on the icon to find out about the different types of advocacy available
Getting help Need an advocacy worker? Click on the icon to find out how you can contact us
Making a referral Click on the icon to find out how our referral system works.
Advocacy examples Click on the icon for examples of what happens when advocacy is pursued. |
About Advocacy
We all need an advocate at some time in our lives. It helps to have someone around to make a difficult phone call, someone who can help write a letter or someone to go with you to a difficult meeting. In many cases, the advocate is a friend or a family member; in others it is a teacher, nurse or social worker. This is fine, but what if we don't have any of these people around? Or what if the problem relates in some way to your family, teacher, nurse or social worker? This is where independent advocacy can help. This is when people are supported to speak up for themselves by a person who is only there for them and has no ties to the other agencies or people in their lives. The Advocacy Project employs staff to act as independent advocates for people who have difficulty speaking up. The advocates are well trained and supported by the Project. They are all subject to Enhanced Disclosures to check for criminal convictions and are bound by a range of policies and procedures that include things like confidentiality and the protection of vulnerable people. Unfortunately, independent advocates cannot guarantee results but they can ensure that a person's voice is heard and considered in all situations. Neither are advocates a substitute for other services like health or social care, welfare rights, solicitors etc. For an example of advocacy involvement download the case study below.
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