Complaints - advocacy

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is a partnership between two people, an advocate 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.

Disadvantaged or vulnerable people

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 coordinator, who makes every effort to match suitable partners, eg 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.

How can advocates help?

assisting their partner to have a say in his/her life
accompanying their partner at meetings, reviews, appointments, etc
supporting their partner by 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