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What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is there for
those who feel they are being ignored, excluded, unfairly treated, or are
not getting the sort of help they think they need
A community Advocate
will listen to you and help you to express yourself in circumstances where
you find it difficult, putting you first and enabling you to have your
voice heard and acted upon.
An advocate will:
 Listen to you.
Help you to voice
your needs and choices.
Put you first.
Speak on your
behalf if you want them to.
Help you to have
your say.
Help you to make
sure that your voice is heard when decisions are being made about you.
Respect your
confidentiality and honour your right to view any
information kept by the advocate about you.
Support you if you
need to access specialist organizations for your financial, legal, benefit or welfare rights.
An Advocate will
Not:
 Make decisions for you
Make judgements about you
Give direct advice about financial, legal, benefit
or welfare rights, although we can offer assistance and support in
accessing other organisations that do specialise in these areas
Campaign on behalf of groups of individuals
The Advocacy
service will endeavour to be:
 ACCESSIBLE - The Advocacy service
is free of charge to anyone who is over 18 years of age and may be
experiencing mental health issues.
INDEPENDENT - A Community Advocate
is Independent to other organisations and all other service provider
agencies
EMPOWERING - People who require
assistance from a community advocate shall be supported with self-advocacy
and empowered to make choices with the level of involvement of an advocate.
CONFIDENTIAL - A
Community Advocate has a written policy stating that information given
remains confidential. A person has the right to any information that is
kept by an advocate.
The Community
Advocacy Team are:
Peter Wakeford – Community Advocacy Manager
Karen
Williams - Community Advocacy Worker
Desni Fellows - Community Advocacy Worker
The Community Advocacy service is provided only within
the Borough of Bridgend
For additional information regarding this service.
Please contact us on:
Tel: 01656 738750
Fax: 01656 736583
Email: cas@mhmwales.org
Community Advocacy Service
Mental Health Matters
Wales
112-113 Commercial Street
Maesteg
CF34 9DL
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