Advocacy: Someone to speak for you
Advocacy means having someone who can:
- speak on your behalf
- express your views and wishes
- secure your rights
- represent your interests
This may be necessary for people who:
- are vulnerable
- have physical or learning disabilities
- are older
- have mental health needs
Advocacy is completely independent from the organisations that provide social care services. This means advocates act only on the wishes of the person they are speaking for by enabling them to express their own views and aspirations.
Additionally, advocacy support can assist people in accessing and understanding information about their rights and how they can challenge them.
Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM)
SAM is an independent organisation providing advocacy services to those who are eligible.
It aims to promote social inclusion, equality and social justice through these services:
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) including for adults as well as children and young people
- Independent Care Act Advocacy
- Parent Advocacy
- Community Mental Health Advocacy
- Project Boost - group-based advocacy, including activities surrounding different interests and daily life skills for those with learning disabilities
- Indy project - one-to-one advocacy for children and young people with Special Education Needs (SEN) or disability and diagnosed mental health conditions. Enabling 10 to18 year-olds to reach their personal goals.
These services are available to:
- people who have complex needs including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health conditions
- carers to people using services of health and social care
SAM provides a clear consistent voice for those who are unable or struggle to be heard.