Advocacy
Many of us can find it difficult to get our voice heard about decisions or actions that affect our lives. Advocacy aims to help people by supporting them to express their needs and make their own informed decisions.
The Principles and Standards in Independent Advocacy 2008 identifies four main themes of advocacy:
• Safeguarding people who are vulnerable and discriminated against, or whom services find difficult to serve.
• Empowering people who need a stronger voice by enabling them to express their own needs and make their own decisions.
• Enabling people to gain access to information, explore and understand their options, and to make their views and wishes known.
• Speaking on behalf of people who are unable to speak for themselves.
There are several local and independent advocacy organisations who can support you.
Forth Valley Advocacy (FVA)
Forth Valley Advocacy’s Mission Statement
“To PROMOTE the rights, freedom and dignity of vulnerable people, to SUPPORT people to have their say and to DEFEND disadvantaged people from abuse and exploitation”
FVA provides a free, professional and independent advocacy service. to people who meet their eligibility crieria and are affected by:
- Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
- Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
- Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
- The Children Hearings (Scotland|) Act 2011
Central Advocacy Partners work to tackle social exclusion and enable people with learning difficulties to have their voices heard through a diverse and dynamic range of creative projects.