Advocacy for all
Advocacy Western Isles provides a generic independent advocacy service to people who find themselves in difficult situations and find it challenging to stand up for themselves. Advocacy can help you say what you think is in your best interest and help you have a stronger voice.
Advocacy can help in practical ways, such as:
- accessing information to explore and understand your options and rights
- attend meetings
- help write letters
- understand reports written about you
- help with completing forms; and,
- accessing services to which you are entitled.
Independent Advocacy is person-centred and client-led. Our service is at no cost to our clients.
Independent Advocacy is:
Understanding. Listening. Helping. Empowering.
Loyal. Genuine. Building Confidence.
Empathic. Supporting Choice. Walking alongside.
Confidential. Defending rights.
If you are suffering from mental health issues, the law gives you the right to Independent Advocacy whoever or wherever you are in Scotland. Many people find when they feel unwell it is not easy to say what they want, we can help you to be heard.
Children and young people up to 18 years ensures their voices are heard and listened to. We support young people to ask questions regarding their situation and support them to tell people what they really think.
The Children’s Hearing System in Scotland places the best interests of children and young people at the heart of its decision making processes.
Self-Directed Support (SDS) is an independent advocacy to help people have a stronger voice and have as much control as possible over their lives. Choose from 1 of 4 options and we will help you to plan and get the services you need.
“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“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 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“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“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“My Advocacy worker has been my back bone and supported me amazingly.”
Young Person“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“I have got a bigger voice.”
Young Person“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“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“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“I didn’t feel positive about my care before, but with you here I feel positive about it now.”
Learning Disability Advocacy Service User“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“I really appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you for everything you have done to help.”
Learning Disability Advocacy 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“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“I feel I want to get up in the morning and change things.”
Young Person“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 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 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“I felt like I was a person that nobody cared about, but my Advocacy Worker strengthened my confidence.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“Thank you for your help. I don’t know who else to ask”
Self Directed Support 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 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 helping my son to have access to his children, as he could not have managed without your support.”
Mental Health Advocacy Service User“You have been fantastic. You’ve really listened and understood.”
Self Directed Support Service User“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“People want to listen to me now.”
Young Person