Advocacy Services
Advocacy involves listening to people and making sure that their
voice is heard. If someone feels ignored or misrepresented, an
advocate will look after their interests and support them in making
informed choices. An advocate can also explain what an individual
wants so that other people are able to understand and respect the
person’s choices and decisions.
Advocates spend lots of time meeting community
health teams and, for example, attending ward rounds with patients.
They also help people to lodge tribunal appeals.
Friendship Care and Housing has provided
advocacy support to communities in the heart of Birmingham since
2006. This service expanded further on a temporary basis, to
include all mental health service users in Birmingham.
The association was then commissioned to pilot
the Independent Mental Health Advocacy service in Birmingham and
Sandwell. Changes to the Mental Health Act meant that from April
2009, people detained under certain sections are legally entitled
to advocacy.
The new service is getting busier by the week
as its reputation grows. Staff and volunteers at hospitals and
community centres can see the benefits of high-quality advocacy –
not just for service users, but also for people who work with
them.
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