What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is quite simply supporting people to get their voice heard and finding the right support for them.

Advocacy aims to ensure that people know their rights and have the information they need to empower them to make their own choices.

Talking with an advocate can help people to work out what they want, find services that can help and feel supported in communicating with services.

Our Independent Advocates offer support within the community to ensure people are listened to, sometimes addressing the power imbalance that can arise with service professionals. It is about having someone by your side, to support your views and get your opinions heard in a non-judgmental, empathetic way.

Advocates only act with your explicit consent.

At VITAL, our advocates are highly trained professionals with lived experience. They understand the frustrations that can come along with trying to find and access the right services at difficult times and the importance of getting your viewpoints taken seriously.

An advocate helps you get to where you need to be, easing the journey through the system with the provision of information and support.