Someone to speak up for you (advocate)

What an advocate does

If you find it difficult to understand your care and support or have difficulty communicating your views, you can ask someone to speak on your behalf. This person is called an advocate. 

An advocate can help you during assessments and care planning. They are there to speak up for you and help you to:

• understand the care and support you receive
• make decisions about your care
• challenge decisions you do not agree with
• stand up for you and your rights
• communicate how you feel 

They help you to get across your thoughts and feelings about the things that are important to you. This might be about the care or medical treatment you receive or your finances.

Types of advocates

An advocate could be a friend or family member you trust to speak up for you at meetings. A paid carer cannot act as an advocate for you.

It's sometimes a good idea to use a professional advocate because they:

• know about your rights
• know the options that should be made available to you
• make sure that your views are properly heard

We can help provide an advocate for you if you do not have a friend or relative to support you.

How to get an advocate

Local organisations that can help you find a professional advocate are:

• Kingston Advocacy, if you have a learning disability, mental health issue, or other vulnerability, or you help someone who does
• Cambridge House, if you have a learning, physical or mental health condition
• search for advocacy groups on Connected Kingston