Someone to speak on my behalf
Sometimes it helps to have someone else who can speak on your behalf and represent your interests.
Take me to How advocates can help ↘ Independent Mental Capacity Advocate ↘ Local advocacy support ↘ Other information and advice ↘
If you need somebody to help you get your views and choices across, you could ask for an advocate. This is a person who speaks on your behalf and is independent and not connected to the council.
How advocates can help
Advocates can help you get your views or wishes across about the issues which are important to you, such as the care or medical treatment which you receive or the management of your finances.
An advocate can be a family member, carer, friend or professional and they must always act on your behalf and not influence you to make a different choice.
You may consider having an advocate if:
- you do not fully understand your rights
- you find it hard to speak up for yourself
- you just want someone independent to support you while you are receiving a service from us
An advocate could help you to:
- clarify your views and wishes
- express and present your views
- obtain independent advice and information
- negotiate and resolve conflict
Independent Mental Capacity Advocate
The Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Service provides an independent safeguard to support particularly vulnerable people who lack capacity to make important decisions and who have no one to act for them.
When the Council has to make a decision regarding someone who lacks capacity, it must consult an IMCA. In Redbridge, this service is provided by Voiceability.
Local advocacy support
VocieAbility provides free, independent and confidential advocacy services to residents who receive health and social care services in Redbridge.
The Daffodil Advocacy Project is an independent advocacy service working primarily with adults with a learning disability in Redbridge.
Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering have an information and advice service which is a free independent service offered to people over the age of 65 years.
POhWER helps people who, because of disability, illness, social exclusion and other challenges, find it difficult to express their views or get the support they need.
Other information and advice
Royal Association for the Deaf provides free advocacy for deaf, black, minority ethnic or refugee clients living in London.
Independent Age provides a guide called Independent Advocacy.
Mind provides information on advocacy for people with mental health problems.
Older People's Advocacy Alliance promotes the importance of advocacy for older people and provides a directory of older people's advocacy services in the London area.
Diabetes UK provides advocacy for people with diabetes.
NHS Choices provides information on advocacy.
