What is Advocacy?
Advocacy Can Help you to:
- Make clear your own views and wishes;
- Express your views effectively to others;
- Get independent advice and information;
- Help to negociate and resolve conflict.
Some people aren't clear about their rights or have difficulty in exercising their them. Others may find it hard to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can enable people to take more responsibility and control of the decisions which effect their lives.
How can an Advocate help you?
An Advocate is somebody who supports you to make sure that your wishes are listened to and respected. This means that an Advocate can help you to make sure that your views and feelings are considered by others when important decisions are made about you.
An Advocate will always help you to represent your own views and will work with you to get to know you and your wishes. An Advocate will always aim to help you to speak for yourself, but can speak for you if you would prefer.
An Advocate can help you at meetings, with talking to people involved in your care and support and with talking to family and friends if you find this difficult.
An Advocate is able to give support to help you talk for yourself and ensure that you have enough information to help you make the best choice for you.
