Our advocate, Ellie spent the afternoon with Alex*, a gentleman she supports under a DoLS(Deprivation of liberty safeguards) as part of her Independent Mental Capacity Advocate role.
One of Alex’s favourite pastimes is jigsaw puzzles - sometimes on the table, sometimes on the iPad. They worked together on one, side by side. It was a nice change of pace; instead of Ellie asking lots of questions, their conversation flowed more naturally over the puzzle pieces. Alex seemed happy for her help, and together they made quick progress though a few pieces were sadly missing at the end.
Afterward, they kept chatting. Alex proudly offered Ellie a drawing he had coloured in, insisting it should be for her dog. Alex has a special fondness for dogs and always asks about hers. There’s another thing Alex loves, too, anything to do with Lilo & Stitch. Just the mention of it lights him up.
Spending time with Alex is a reminder of how important it is to meet a person where they are. By joining Alex in something he enjoys, Ellie wasn’t just passing time, she was showing that his interests and ways of communicating matter. Listening at his level, without pressure or an agenda, helped Alex feel comfortable and valued.
Active listening is at the heart of advocacy. It’s more than hearing words; it’s paying attention to the person’s feelings, preferences, and the small details that make them who they are. By taking the time to truly listen, Ellie strengthened the trust between them, creating a strong foundation that allows her to represent Alex’s wishes faithfully and ensure his voice is genuinely heard.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
If you are interested in the work of our advocacy team, you can volunteer, with our dedicated advocates, through out Cumberland Connectors programme.