Independent Advocacy
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is free, independent support to involve people in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing.Advocates don’t work for the Council, the NHS, or care providers. You don’t need to pay for an advocate. They are independent professionals who are on your side, helping you to understand your options and say what you want and don’t want. They can support you to make your own choices and know your rights.
Independent advocacy in Tameside
VoiceAbility provides these advocacy services in Tameside:- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
- Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR)
- Care Act advocacy
- General advocacy
- NHS Complaints Advocacy
Eligibility
General advocacy in Tameside is available to people who:
- Need advocacy support for a health and social care issue.
- Are vulnerable adults aged 18+ who are residents or registered with a GP in Tameside.
- Are currently being supported by social services or the Community Mental Health team.
- Don’t have someone who can support them.
- Have a significant and specific issue they need support to resolve.
Self-advocacy
Self-advocacy is a person’s ability to communicate their own interests, desires, needs and rights. Independent Advocacy Providers should support people to self-advocate as much as possible.
A self-advocacy tool kit will be available soon.
Referrals
You can make a referral yourself, as a friend or family member, or as a professional for Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) or General Advocacy.
Only professionals can make a referral for Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), paid Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) and Care Act Advocacy.
Referrals via VoiceAbility can be made online or over the phone. They also have an email and online webchat to answer any questions.
0300 303 1660
Feedback
If you have used VoiceAbilty’s Advocacy Service, please fill in the below surveys to tell us about your experience.