Advocacy is having an advocate to support someone to:
- get their voice heard
- express their views and concerns
- get their rights respected
We offer short-term support from paid advocates.
We also recruit volunteer advocates and place them in a ‘partnership’ with someone with a learning disability who needs help. We hope that the giving and receiving of support benefits both ‘partners’.
Advocacy is provided to people who live in their own homes, group residential homes, supported living or hospital.
Examples of issues that may require advocacy:
- A need to move home
- Abuse and neglect
- Formal meetings like reviews
- Referral to specialist legal services
There are many others. If you would like to refer someone for help or would like to refer yourself contact us on 024 7663 1100
Kerry and Rachel's story
These two sisters with learning disabilities were living in very difficult circumstances. While their mother was in a hospice they were attempting to keep house, look after two very large dogs, support their grandmother and visit Mum. They had difficult neighbours and were pestered and harassed. Unfortunately Mum passed away and both sisters were left dealing with many problems including rent arrears and hire purchase debts. The condition of the house was squalid as the dogs had not been walked, pet birds were allowed free rein and no cleaning had been done, possibly for years. The house was full of debris.
Grapevine arranged a meeting with Kerry and Rachel, their Housing Association, social worker, local neighbourhood wardens and support provider. Our advocate worked alongside all these people to help the sisters. We dealt with the debtors. Some of the debt was paid off while other debts were found to be unlawful and cancelled. We negotiated with the housing association and got them to agree to disregard former debts and to offer a new home.Some weeks after moving in to their new home their grandmother died. This was difficult for both women and the advocate asked for more input from all involved with the sisters’ support. The advocate visited once a week and kept in close contact with the housing support provider to work out how best to help the two women keep their home and to prevent rent arrears and severe neglect from happpening again. One of the sisters who needs more emotional support now has a volunteer advocacy partner.
As a result of our support both women appear happier people and they have started to live life again.