Advocacy is about speaking up. It is about speaking up for yourself and supporting others when they are unable to speak up for themselves.
Advocacy helps you to understand your rights, have your say, share your feelings and tell people what’s important to you.
Advocacy means:
- Independence: advocates are independent from all health and social care services. They are there to be on your side and to help you advocate for yourself.
- Following key principles: all advocacy organisations 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
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.
Find out more about Advocacy, how it can help and its principles by following the links below.
