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C.T. Carers Advocacy

Advocacy

What do we mean by the term “ADVOCACY”?

• Advocacy within Carers Together aims to ensure that individual carers have a voice and are listened to.
• Advocacy is about enabling carers to feel equal and empowering them to speak up for themselves.
• Advocacy within Carers Together is about helping carers to tackle a single issue with which they need help, support or information.
• Advocacy is about representing carers’ expressed wishes and acting under their instruction.
• Advocacy within Carers Together aims to ensure that carers are able to make informed choices based on unbiased information.

In what situations might a carer need an advocate?

• At meetings with Health, Social Services, Housing Departments etc when a carer is outnumbered.
• When there is conflict between the needs of the cared for person and the carer.
• When a complaint letter needs to be written
• When a carer is unsure of his/her rights as a Carer
• When important decisions are being taken upon a patient’s discharge from hospital
• When a carer is just too exhausted to stand up for herself/himself
• When dialogue needs to be reopened between a carer and another party/organization.

What types of people act as advocates for Carers Together?

Advocates might be paid members of staff or trained volunteers. In all events they will be people who are caring, assertive, non judgemental and good listeners. They act under the instructions of the carer and put the carer’s needs and wishes first. Advocates act under a strict code of confidentiality which is fully explained at the outset of a piece of advocacy.

Advocates come from a number of different backgrounds and will not be experts in any particular field. Each advocate has individual strengths and will know when to seek help or guidance from their manager or another organization. They will never tell someone what to do but they will allow each carer to understand his or her choices by helping to provide appropriate information. Advocates are trained to take “self” out of their work and to work wholly from the perspective of the carer.

If, as you read this, you think that you would like to be a volunteer advocate then please do contact us either by phone or e-mail.

Carers Together Advocacy Project 2006/2007

The advocacy project started in April 2006 with a 3 month piece of research to establish whether carers in Hampshire needed advocates. The research proved fairly conclusively that carers often feel the need of someone to “stand up for them”, particularly in discussions with statutory authorities. The research also established that there is very little advocacy provision specifically for carers in Hampshire or Southampton.

The next 3 months of the project involved carrying out sample pieces of advocacy work within a small pilot area. The pilot area was designated as Romsey, Southampton West and New Forest East/Waterside. Advocacy support was given to carers who needed help with: letters of complaint, liaison with GPs and Hospitals, attendance at review/CPA meetings with mental health professionals, accompanying assessment visits by Social Services etc.

The outcomes of these pieces of advocacy were very encouraging and it was clear that carers who had an advocate felt empowered and often achieved the desired outcome, with less stress than previously experienced.

In the final 6 months of the pilot project it is hoped that at least 4 volunteer advocates will be trained to work in the pilot area. Additionally, it is envisaged that Carers Support workers from across the county will also attend advocacy training. The aim is that, given sufficient funding, Carers Together may be able to offer advocacy support to carers across Hampshire and Southampton.

The pilot project will be fully evaluated in March 2007 and it is hoped that the scheme will be extended to other areas, with volunteers being recruited and trained from across the whole county.

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