Someone to speak on your behalf
Advocacy means:
- having help to get your point across
- someone to protect your rights and look out for your interests
- protecting people who are vulnerable
- allowing people to make decisions on their care. Including those with disabilities, older people, and people with mental health needs
- helping you to access information
Advocacy is completely separate from social care. Advocates will not try to influence you to person they are supporting to make a different choice.
There are local organisations that can act as independent advocates.
VoiceAbility offers advocacy support to adults and carers. Voiceability also supports children and young people, looked after or in need. The service supports people with:
- physical disabilities
- learning disabilities
- autism
- mental ill health
- sensory impairment
- social or health care needs
- NHS health complaints
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
VoiceAbility supports particularly vulnerable people who lack capacity to make important decisions and who have no-one to act for them.
We have to consult an IMCA when making decisions for a person who lacks mental capacity.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
VoiceAbility provides an independent advocate to people experiencing mental health problems in Peterborough, Fenland and across Cambridgeshire.
