What is advocacy?
We will always make sure we involve you in any decisions about your care and support.
An advocate is a person who works with you to make sure your ideas and wishes are heard when decisions are being made about you. They will help you get the right care and support. Advocates are independent from the Council, the NHS, your doctor and other healthcare services.
Absolute Advocacy, provided by Cloverleaf Advocacy, provides a free and confidential service giving a voice to people with mental illness and learning, physical, and sensory disabilities. This service is for people aged 18 or over. They also offer this service to unpaid carers.
You can refer yourself. In some cases the person working with you, such as your assessor or GP, will need to make a referral on your behalf.
Visit the Absolute Advocacy website
How an advocate can help you
Your advocate will get to know you. This will help them to support and represent you when decisions are made about you. They will make sure that your wellbeing and interests are always considered.
They can help you to:
- understand the care and support process
- talk about your wishes, views and feelings
- challenge decisions about your care and support
- understand your rights
- feel supported at meetings
- get your views across
- access services
- understand and remember important information
- make a complaint about the NHS
