FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Advocacy Services
You may require the services of an advocate to support you in putting your views forward in a variety of situations. An advocate should listen to what you want to say and then put your views accurately and clearly without changing or adding anything extra.
Generally, advocacy services tend to be locally based & for specific groups of people or areas. Many use volunteer advocates.
Self advocacy is about helping people to speak up for themselves, often by joining a group of people with the same concerns or interests.
People who are unable to make major decisions about their own residential care and treatment because they lack capacity to do so, may arrange an advocate through the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate Service. In East Surrey the service is provided by Kingston Advocacy Group and in West Surrey by Just Advocacy.
The Advocacy Exchange Resource ARX Directory has information on where independent advocacy schemes can be found nationally.
Some Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) will supply an advocate. CAB has offices around Surrey and many will visit you at home if you are unable to visit them.
The Federation of Deaf People, 01245 708071, can act as advocates for deaf people, as can the Royal Association for Deaf People.
Royal National Institute of the Blind have information on how to set up an advocacy service & how to self advocate.
People First run self advocacy training courses for people with learning disabilities.
Advocacy Partners, 0208 330 6644, work with people with learning disabilities in East and Mid Surrey.
Just Advocacy will match people with learning disabilities in West Surrey & NE Hampshire to a professional or volunteer advocate or put them in touch with a self advocacy group.
UK Advocacy Network support advocacy groups for people with mental health issues together.
Together is a national organisation running advocacy schemes for people with mental health issues.
Matrix Advocacy Service offer advocacy support for older people, people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.
Advocacy in Action, 01306 881804, have an advocacy service for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and older people.
Patient Advice & Liaison Services (PALS) based in hospitals offer information and advice on NHS services and health related matters to patients.
If you have a complaint about NHS treatment or care the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) can assist you.
Young people can find advocacy services via the National Youth Advocacy Service.
DisCASS has an advocacy service for people with any disability in the Guildford & Waverley areas.
Age Concern Surrey offers an advocacy service for older people.
Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Service helps young people (under 17) and disabled people who are in police custody & who do not have support.
SID, 0800 0439395, has information on other advocacy services.
+ Additional Information: Rights and obligations
More information on living with a disability in Surrey can be found at www.askenid.org.uk and in the leaflet ‘Information for You’ available from SID (Social Information on Disability), 0800 0439395.