Gosport Advocacy
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is a process of helping people, particularly those who are most vulnerable, to:
- Access information and services
- Be involved in decisions about their lives
- Explore choices and options
- Defend and promote their rights and responsibilities
- Speak out about issues that matter to them
What do advocates do?
An advocacy service is provided by an advocate, who is independent of statutory services and local government. They will represent your wishes without judging you or giving you their personal opinion.
An advocate will help you access information you need or go with you to meetings or interviews in a supportive role. An Advocate can provide a benefits check for you on request and support you in completing any required forms. You may want your advocate to write letters on your behalf, or speak for you in situations where you don’t feel able to speak for yourself.
Our Advocates are volunteers, who have undergone training and a DBS check and are supported by the Advocacy Project Co-ordinator.
Who is eligible for the Advocacy Service?
Our advocacy service is available to Gosport residents aged 55 years and over with limited mobility or housebound
Is there a cost for the service?
No, the service is completely free of charge.
How can the service be accessed?
To find out more, or to access the service, please contact:
- Laura Drew, Wellbeing Administrator, 023 9260 4686 or email laura.drew@cfirst.org.uk
- Dawn Ward, Welfare Manager on 02392 604682 or dawn.ward@cfirst.org.uk
Would you like to become a Volunteer Advocate?
We are looking for people to join the advocacy team, who are patient and able to listen to others point of view, are able and willing to work alongside the older person and, when required, represent the older person’s view without judgement.
Advocates will be well supported and trained by the advocacy service co-ordinator.
Not only will sharing your time and skills benefit the people you support, it can also make a positive difference to your life!
Find out more...
