Advocacy Services
What is advocacy?
Advocacy means getting help from another person.
This person is called an advocate.
An advocate can help you:
- say what you think
- say what you want
- stand up for your rights
Your rights are things you are allowed to have and do.
Read more about advocacy on the Mind website
Peer Advocacy
Peer Advocacy is when people help each other in a group.
A peer is someone who is like you.
Your Voice Advocacy
Your Voice Advocacy have a Peer Support Group.
Who is it for?
People with learning disabilities who live in Neath Port Talbot or Swansea.
Who runs it?
West Glamorgan People First works with YVA to run Peer Advocacy.
YVA is independent. This means it is not part of other services.
How does it work?
People called Peer Advocates help other people.
They use:
- their skills
- what they know
- what has happened in their own lives
They help people who have the same kind of problems.
Peer Advocacy is good for everyone.
It helps the person who gives support. It also helps the person who gets support.
Want to know more?
Phone: 07548 832614
Email: info@yourvoiceadvocacy.org.uk
Advocacy Support in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot
Sorted Supported has put together this list of places you can find an advocate to support with your mental health.
Advocacy Support Cymru
Who is it for?
People who get mental health services.
This includes people who:
- have been “sectioned”. This means you have been kept in hospital for your mental health.
- are under guardianship
- have a community treatment order
- are in hospital by choice for mental health treatment
What do they do?
They give advocacy that is:
- free from other services
- private
- given by trained people
They are a charity.
Phone: 029 2054 0444
Email: info@ascymru.org.uk
Visit Advocacy Support Cymru
Mental Health Matters Wales – IMCAs
Mental Health Matters Wales: IMCA
IMCA stands for Independent Mental Capacity Advocate.
Who is it for?
People who find it hard to make their own decisions.
They also have no family or friends who can help.
You have a legal right to an IMCA if:
- you need serious medical treatment
- there is a worry about your safety
- you are moving home for a long time
- you have a care review
- you are having Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. These are rules to protect people who cannot leave a place where they are cared for.
Phone: 01656 649557
Email: imca@mhmwales.org
Visit Mental Health Matters Wales: IMCA
Mental Health Matters Wales – IPA
Mental Health Matters Wales: IPA
IPA stands for Independent Professional Advocate.
Who is it for?
People who need social care.
You have a legal right to an IPA if you need help with:
- planning your care and support
- an assessment of your needs
- a review of your care
- your safety
Phone: 0300 102 4970
Visit Mental Health Matters Wales: IPA
Age Cymru – Dementia Advocacy
Age Cymru: Dementia Advocacy
Who is it for?
Anyone who has dementia.
You can get help even if you find it hard to make decisions or talk.
What do they do?
They help you:
- get the services and support you need
- have a say in decisions about you
Email: dementiaadvocacy@agecymru.org.uk
Visit Age Cymru: Dementia Advocacy
Age Cymru – Older People and Carers
Age Cymru: Older People and Carers
This project is called HOPE.
HOPE stands for Helping Others Participate and Engage.
Who is it for?
- people aged 50 and over
- carers
What do they do?
They give advocacy across Wales.
They work with Age Cymru and Age Connects Wales.
Email: zoe.newland@agecymru.org.uk
Phone: 079 44 99 54 94
Visit Age Cymru: HOPE
NYAS – Newid Project
NYAS: Newid Project
NYAS is a charity that supports young people.
Who is it for?
Young people aged 16 to 25 who have been in care.
Phone: 0808 808 1001
Visit NYAS
Llais
lais
Say it like “Lye-ss”.
Who is it for?
Anyone with a worry about NHS treatment they have had.
This could be in hospital or in your community.
Phone: 01639 683490
Visit Llais