This is a free accessible service available for:

• D/deaf and hard of hearing people
• Families of D/deaf and hard of hearing people
• People with physical and sensory disabilities

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is taking action to help people:

• express their views and wishes
• secure their rights
• have their interests represented
• access information and services
• explore choices and options

Advocacy can help anyone who needs support to:

• make changes and take control of their life
• be valued and included in their community
• be listened to and understood

An Advocate is :

• someone who supports a person so that their views are heard and their rights are upheld.
• they can help a person to put their views and feelings across when decisions are being made about their life.
• they can give support which will enable a person to make choices and they inform people of their rights.
• an advocate will support a person to speak up for themselves or, in some situations, will speak on a person’s behalf.
• advocates are independent. They are not connected to the carers or to the services which are involved in supporting the person.
• an advocate will work one-to-one with a person to develop their confidence wherever possible and will try to ensure that the person feels as empowered as possible to take control of their own life

Principles of Advocacy:

• Putting people first -  taking on the views of the client
• Confidentiality – not disclosing information unless instructed by client (safeguarding)
• Accessibility -  adapting the service to meet individual clients needs
• Independence -  not linked to any other organisations
• Empowerment – aim is to empower clients so they can do as much themselves as possible.
• Accountability -  information relayed to client from reliable sources
• Supporting advocates -  trained, skilled advocates
• Clarity of purpose -  clear to clients what they should and shouldn’t expect from advocacy

Kate Boddy
Advocacy Service Manager, Advocate for D/deaf, hard of hearing people and their families

Gill Valentine
Advocate for people with physical and sensory disabilities

Projects supported by our Advocacy Team:
Deaf Forums
Providing opportuniuties for D/deaf people to meet, learn and exchange views and opinions, through their preferred method of communication
Access Audits
Helping service providers looking to improve access and equality for D/deaf service users and staff.
Young People (LINK)
Working with young deaf people to support them during transition periods at school or college
Schools
Working with schools and groups of young people to provide information sessions about deafness and sign language (as part of the National Curriculum or more informal sessions to suit each group)
CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults)
CODAs are people who are from culturally Deaf families, yet live within a hearing world. This can lead to many life challenges.
Happy Hands (LINK)
Happy hands is a Parent and Toddler group including multi-sensory play, stories in sign language, dance and arts and crafts.