The Advocacy Project helps marginalised communities to speak up, understand their rights and make choices. Stigma, isolation and inequality are some of the biggest challenges faced by people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, dementia and eating disorders. We are working with people to address these challenges.

We believe everyone has the right to influence decisions affecting their lives.

We offer free, independent, confidential advocacy and user involvement services.

Together, we’re standing up for rights and supporting people to have a say on the issues that matter to them.

Things we help with

Our advocates can:

• talk through problems or concerns, helping people to identify options and think about what they want
• explain information so people can make informed choices
• help plan for meetings and draft correspondence
• go with people to meetings (for example, meetings about their care and treatment)
• speak on behalf of the individual if they don’t feel able to do so themselves
• support people to comment or complain about the services they receive, and raise issues about things someone is unhappy with
• give information about legal rights and support people to access specialist help, such as solicitors or benefits advisers