Advocacy is where you choose another person to support you in or act on your behalf to:
- Enable something to happen e.g. review your benefits entitlement:
- Clarify a situation e.g. deal with a formal agency ie Housing Department or employer.
- Represent your views e.g make sure your opinions are heard.
An advocate can be:
- A family member
- A trusted friend
- A professional advocacy service
Professional advocacy services can be found at; Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
I was finding it very difficult to keep on top of all the mail and my bills and things. I found it difficult to phone all the places to sort things out. My good friend came with me to the Citizens Advice team and helped me tell them what I needed help with to sort it all out.
Having had the stroke made me realise I needed to get all my affairs in order. I didn’t want to upset the family more so I got in touch with a professional advocacy service who helped me to make my will with the lawyer and it really helped.