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Our Independent Advocacy Services

Advocacy support

Advocacy helps you to understand your rights and have your say. Our Advocates will stand with you to help you be heard when it comes to the decisions that affect your health, family and wellbeing.  

We work independently from all health and social care services, standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with people to help you 'speak up' when you need support. 

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy helps you understand your rights, have your say, share your feelings and tell people what is important to you. 

Advocacy means:

  • Independence: All our Advocates are independent from health and social care services. They are there to be on your side to help you advocate for yourself. 
  • Following key principles: Our Advocates are committed to a set of key principles that are designed to ensure we provide a clear and quality service. 
  • Being on your side: Advocates act as an extension of you; they are there to voice your thoughts and wishes and to support you to have your say. 
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Advocacy Principles

All organisations that provide independent advocacy, and people acting as independent Advocates, work to The Advocacy Charter and Advocacy Code of Practice. These include key principles which make sure advocacy providers and advocates are clear about their role, are able to explain their role to others and provide brilliant advocacy.

These principles apply to all types of advocacy. They are really important, and you can ask advocacy organisations and Advocates about them at any time.

Benefits Support

We provide free, independent, and impartial support to help people living in the Cumberland area claim and maintain the benefits they are entitled to.

Our values shape everything we do

Meet our Advocacy team

  • Amy
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Annette
    Independent Senior Advocate & Pilot Lead
  • Cath
    Independent Advocate & Advocacy Manager
  • Claire
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Claire
    Independent Advocate
  • Clare
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Clare
    Advocacy Hub Worker
  • Dakota
    Advocacy Hub Coordinator
  • Donna
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Ellie
    Advocacy Team Leader - Teesside
  • Emma
    Advocacy Hub Coordinator
  • George
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Gordon
    Sessional Independent Advocate
  • Helen
    Advocacy Hub Coordinator
  • Helen
    Independent Advocate & Advocacy Manager
  • Hilary
    Welfare Benefit Coordinator
  • Jan
    Independent Senior Advocate & Pilot Lead
  • Jean
    Independent Advocate
  • Jeff
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Jo
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • John
    Independent Advocate
  • Jonathan
    Teesside Advocacy Manager
  • Kat
    Welfare Benefits Coordinator
  • Kirsty
    Senior Manager - North East
  • Kleanth
    NHS Complaints Advocate
  • Leanne
    Sessional Advocate - Teesside
  • Louise
    Advocacy Hub Team Leader
  • Lucy
    Independent Advocate
  • Lyndsey
    Independent Senior Advocate
  • Mark
    Independent Advocate
  • Megan
    Independent Advocate
  • Melanie
    Hub Coordinator
  • Michael
    Independant Advocate
  • Miriam
    Independent Advocate
  • Nadia
    Independent Advocate
  • Nicola
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Paul
    Sessional Advocate
  • Ruth
    Senior Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Sonia
    Independent Advocate - Teesside
  • Sue
    Welfare Benefits Coordinator
  • Sue
    NHS Complaints Advocate - Teesside
  • Vicky
    Senior Advocacy Manager