An advocate is a person who can support you and speak on your behalf if you want them to.
Advocacy services help you access information. They can help you get your voice heard when decisions that affect you are being made.
Why use an advocate?
Advocates are independent. They do not represent the views of others, such as your local authority or the NHS.
They will not make decisions for you or give you their personal opinion.
An advocate can:
- contact people on your behalf
- go to meetings with you to give you support
- speak on your behalf when you don’t feel comfortable speaking yourself
- write letters and emails on your behalf