For further information please
contact:
Tel: 01638 719309
Email:
peter.heard@forest-heath.gov.uk
Advocacy is a partnership between two people, an
advocate/ombudsman and a person who has experienced any form
of discrimination. The advocate's task is to represent, where
necessary, their partner's views and interests as if they were
their own. Advocates offer support and understanding, sometimes
enabling their partners to speak for themselves. Advocates also
gather information, allowing their partner to make informed
choices.
People who are disadvantaged or vulnerable are often devalued by
society and seen as 'different'. They are restricted in their
opportunities to lead normal lives by lack of choice in such areas
as housing, work, leisure facilities, etc. They are often in
receipt of services, which stigmatise and draw attention to their
'problems', thereby separating them from the rest of society.
All people share basic needs:
- to be independent
- to be treated with dignity and respect
- to be able to exercise basic human rights
- to be accepted by the community in which we all live
- to be able to choose how to lead individual lives and
lifestyles.
Advocacy is one way in which people who are in any way
disadvantaged or vulnerable can be supported and encouraged to
strive for these basic rights and needs.
An advocate enters into a partnership with another person. The
'partners' would be introduced to one another via the advocacy
co-ordinator, who makes every effort to 'match' suitable partners;
for example, some people would prefer a partner of similar age to
themselves or maybe an advocate has a particular skill or interest
in a specific area of disability. Relationships will vary,
according to individual need - some will be short term, to help
someone through a crisis situation; some will be longer term.
Advocates can help their partners in many ways:
- assisting their partner to have a say in his/her life
- accompanying their partner at meetings, reviews,
appointments, etc
- supporting - spending time developing a relationship within
which their partner feels equal, valued and secure
- ensuring that their partner receives everything to which he/she
is entitled.
If you want to know more or wish to talk to someone about advocacy,
please use the contact details
above.