CORONAVIRUS NOTICES
In adherence to Government guidelines the offices of Advocacy Western Isles are currently closed to the public. Contact with our office will remain open by telephone Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm; Tel: 01851 701755
Email: office@advocacywi.co.uk
All Advocacy Workers have been working from home as from Monday 23rd March 2020.
An advocacy service will still be provided to all our clients via telephone, email, text, Zoom, Teams or Skype.
If you require any other information please do not hesitate to get in touch.
If you find that you cannot get through on the phone, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Advocacy Western Isles has created and published a guide that lists Community Support Services for the whole of the Western Isles.
Please click on the box below to view what support is available and how you can access it.
What is advocacy?
Having your voice heard.
Having your rights and interests protected.
Being safeguarded when you are unable to safeguard yourself.
Being listened to.
Having your views taken into account.
Being treated as an equal.
“When we do our SMILE work I don’t feel like I have a learning disability, people don’t see our disability, they see you – it makes me feel the same as everyone else.”
Learning Disability Advocacy Service User“I have got a bigger voice.”
Young Person“Thank you very much for everything you are doing and have done to help me through all of this. I could not have managed without you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“What a good job my Advocacy Worker did for me, as I could have never have gone through this support plan meeting alone.”
Mental Health Service“I was going to contact you pass on the family’s heartfelt thanks for all your wonderful support and advice particularly you always seemed to be there when we needed you. Even when sometimes we gave you a mountain to climb.”
Self Directed Support Service User“I really appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you for everything you have done to help.”
Learning Disability Advocacy Service User“I feel I want to get up in the morning and change things.”
Young Person“I am so glad you supported me. It was so hard to try and make SW understand what my issues were. Now, they are listening.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“You have been fantastic. You’ve really listened and understood.”
Self Directed Support Service User“I never believed that they would listen to me or believe me, but with my Advocacy Worker there, I had a chance to speak and I felt strong that my voice was heard.”
Mental Health Service User“Thank you for all you help and support……Thank you for all your endeavours in getting him this [additional SDS spend]. Very much appreciated.”
Self Directed Support Service User“I was so scared to face my PIP Assessment alone, but with my Advocacy Worker there I felt supported and when I couldn’t think of the words or got confused (due to my stroke), my Advocate spoke up for me.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“When the social worker was asking questions about my past, I said just get them from my SW records. But when she said she couldn’t find them, I just freaked out. But you came along and challenged them, and I got all my records in a matter of a few weeks. Thank you so much.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“People want to listen to me now.”
Young Person“I didn’t feel positive about my care before, but with you here I feel positive about it now.”
Learning Disability Advocacy Service User“After a year of appeals and tribunals, I was finally received a back payment of almost £10,000 for my PIP and ESA. I had just given up. Now I can pay off my bills and move on. Words aren’t enough to show my thanks”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you for your help. I don’t know who else to ask”
Self Directed Support Service User“Thanks for helping my son to have access to his children, as he could not have managed without your support.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I nearly lost it during my DWP complaint interview, but my Advocacy Worker kept me calm and we got through it together., thank you.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“When I needed help, I have had the peace of mind knowing advocacy would be there to walk side by side with me take all the stress away or lighten it.”
Young Person“We didn’t know that we could use our SDS to purchase equipment during Covid-19, but with Advocacy’s support we were able to approach our local authority to request a more flexible spend.”
Learning Disability Advocacy Service User“I felt great knowing that you were there beside me; really comfortable. Maybe in the past when I have had to do an assessment, I felt quite tense, but it felt good to have you there.”
Learning Disability Advocacy Service User“Thanks for your help, I feel more confident going forward with SDS now. I will be in touch in the future I am sure!”
Self Directed Support Service User“Without AWI the school would not have realised the extent of my health problems. It was as a result of my Advocacy Worker attending meetings and speaking up on my behalf that my life became slightly easier. She always gave good advice and without her help things would’ve been horrendous. Everybody needs an Advocacy Worker!”
Young Person“My Advocacy worker has been my back bone and supported me amazingly.”
Young Person“Thank you for all your help!! You have been amazing and have helped us so much! My mother and the rest of my family are all also very grateful for all your help. You are doing an amazing job! Well done!”
Self Directed Support Service User“I felt like I was a person that nobody cared about, but my Advocacy Worker strengthened my confidence.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“I couldn’t explain how I was feeling as I was being rejected and treated unfairly. With Advocacy beside me, I was supported in my situation.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service UserWith support from our Funders
Lewis & Harris Services
First Floor, Rear Wing, 16 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2XB
Phone : 01851 701 755
Email : office@advocacywi.co.uk
Uist & Barra Services
Generic/Mental Health Advocacy Worker
Phone : 01878 700 000 or 07584 898 480
Email : uistandbarra@advocacywi.co.uk
SDS Advocacy Worker
Email: mel@advocacywi.co.uk
Phone: 07495 003 784
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
Contact by phone 9.30 to 5pm
