What is advocacy?
Advocacy usually means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes. And to help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called your advocate.
Advocates are so important! Mental illness at times can make it hard to do what needs to be done, to stand up for yourself, to be listened to or taken seriously.
Why might I need an advocate?
Living with a mental health condition can sometimes mean it’s harder to have your opinions and ideas taken seriously by others. At times you might find it hard to express your views. Or to remember all the information someone has told you.
An advocate can help with this. And they can help to make sure you’re fully involved in decisions that affect you.
What kinds of advocacy are there?
Statutory advocacy
In some circumstances, the law says you’re entitled to an advocate. For example, if you’re being assessed or receiving treatment under the Mental Health Act. This is known as statutory advocacy.
You’re also legally entitled to an advocate if you lack capacity to make certain decisions. For example, decisions about your health or social care. In this case, the local authority must organise an advocate for you.
If you’re unhappy with NHS care you receive and you need an advocate to help you complain, you’re entitled to have one.
Statutory advocates are trained and have experience of working in these situations. And help from a statutory advocate is free of charge.
For more information on our Havering Statutory and Community Advocacy Service, see our pages on:
Community advocacy services
Community advocacy refers to advocacy that’s not a legal entitlement. You don’t need a diagnosis of a mental health condition to get a community advocate to help you.
Community advocates are trained. They can help you with things like understanding healthcare options and getting appointments.
We provide free Community Advocacy Workshops to help you build the confidence, knowledge and practical skills to speak up, understand your rights and have your voice heard.
For more information and how to book, please see our page on Community Advocacy – Self Advocacy Skills Workshops
Get in touch with our Havering Statutory and Community Advocacy Service – We’re waiting to hear from you. Email: advocacy@haveringmind.org.uk or call 01708 457040 option 2.
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