Advocacy

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is about helping a person to be heard. Most people can act as advocates and use advocacy daily, for example parents listen to the needs and wishes of their children; managers respond to the views of their staff; friends stand by each other and offer support. 
Sometimes more formal methods of advocacy are required and this is often referred to as Independent advocacy. Such an Advocacy service is delivered by A4e in our Somerset branch. Advocacy is a tool that can be used in a variety of ways to ensure that minority and disadvantaged groups in society have a means to know about, and gain, the same life opportunities as others.
Advocacy aims to achieve a more equal and just society. There are many people in our society who are ignored because they have difficulty in gaining the attention that is needed to make sure their views and opinions are listened to and acted upon. This leads to them being marginalized and often socially excluded.
Advocacy offers support for people who are seeking resolutions to any issues that are of concern to them, by ensuring that their voice is heard and that they understand their civil and human rights. Advocacy is closely linked to the principles of Human Rights, disability discrimination, equality of opportunities and the social model of disability.

Definition:

“Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocacy supports social inclusion, equality and social justice.”
(Action 4 Advocacy)

Who may need advocacy?

There are a variety of reasons why advocacy may be much more important to some people. In the main it is because there are some in society who are more likely than others to be treated unfairly, either because of the prejudice of others or because of their own vulnerability, and frequently individuals who rely on the social care systems have limited personal power and resources to argue their case.
Personal attributes can lead to many having to rely on powerful service systems for help with all aspects of their life - housing, personal assistance, decision-making, income, occupation, mobility. When people have no strong allies outside of providers of services, the operations of the service system itself are life-defining. This is particularly relevant for those who have been immersed in the service system since childhood. For some people, their family can also be a part of the problem.

Service(s) Available

In Somerset we operate a free, impartial and independent “Disability Advocacy Service” on behalf of Somerset County Council. The service is delivered across Somerset and specifically supports people who are between 18-65 years old and have a physical disability and/or sensory loss.

Please note Somerset County Council supports a  range of other Advocacy Service providers who work with different vulnerable adults groups.

See link for more details www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/socialservices/adults/advocacy/