An Advocate's Duties
 

The advocate’s role is to

F    Speak up – protecting the rights and interests of the individual who needs help to make their needs known.

F    Offer support – to help their partner to make more use of community facilities and community life

F    Give practical help – such as writing letters and filling in forms

 All of us at some time might need the support of another person to help us get through difficult situations. Someone who is impartial and non-judgemental.

Advocates are needed for people who

L  may be rejected by others because of a difference or disability

L are vulnerable to neglect, abuse or exploitation

L are in danger of being excluded for community life

L are undergoing changes in their life

Having an Advocate -­

Stephen lives in an isolated village, with his mother who has a full time job. Stephen feels he has no-one to share his bobbies of entering competitions and music. He attends a day centre twice a week, but he feels he needs "someone special" to help him broaden his social life. At the moment he does not feel able to do that by himself. Stephen's asthma is aggravated by any changes in his life, and he is trying to decide if he wants to move from the village. Stephen would appreciate someone who would not only befriend him, but help support him when he faces important life-path decisions.......

Paul has spent many years in institutional care, and at present lives in a group home with four other people. Whilst Paul has many abilities and understands others, the nature of his disability is such that contact with people is difficult. There has been a suggestion that Paul is going t be moved to new accommodation, but there are disagreements whether or not the move would be beneficial. Paul needs someone to find out what he would like and argue for his best interests in any decision concerning his future ......

Two women were living with support in modem property but in an area which had become very run down. Supporters became concerned regarding client safety and the increasing difficulties caused by living in an area where it had become unsafe for them to even visit the shops. The clients were perceived not to fully understand these risks, but it was felt did show some concerns about where they lived.

Both clients have severe communication difficulties and an advocate was requested in order to elucidate their views on the possibility of moving home.

In view of the communication difficulties the advocate decided to use pictorial images to elicit their feelings about their existing home and alternatives..

Digital colour photographs were taken of their existing home and surroundings including shops and a further set taken of their potential new home and its surroundings.

It became clear from their reactions that the clients were interested in a move to a new home and a trouble free move eventually resulted.