DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO HELP GET YOUR POINT OF VIEW ACROSS?

Having additional support needs can be terribly frustrating. One of the biggest frustrations is having to deal with filling out forms, making appointments and speaking to strangers about your situation. Many people fear authority figures, so having an advocate on your side can really help. You can become more confident and have your say in any meeting, if you and your advocate are prepared.

Advocacy is a partnership between two people in which one partner speaks up for, or supports the other partner.

You could choose any of the following as an advocate:

• Parent or carer
• Close friend
• Teacher
• Someone from an organsiation concerned with your disability
• Hansel Foundation’s focus group
• Someone from social work services
• Solicitor
• Advocate from an advocacy service
• Friendship circle
• Fairway facilitator

Advocates are independent people who listen to you. They can communicate your situation and point of view clearly and without any bias or influence. Their loyalty is to you. Advocates may speak up on your behalf or on behalf of your parents and carers to:

• Make sure you get the services and benefits you’re entitled to
• Negotiate with officials on your behalf
• Help you protect your rights
• Help you to make choices
• Generally make sure your views are heard and considered

They will:
• find out what you think
• help you find information
• support you in putting your views over to other people
• go along to meetings with you
• stand up for you when you need them to
• tell you the truth
• help you fill in forms
• write and read letters for you

They will not:
• talk about you without you knowing
• tell you what to do
• do everything for you
• make promises they can’t/won’t keep

A Friendship circle is another way of receiving advocacy support. By bringing together a circle of friends who know you well and you trust , can help you achieve the things you want to do and realise the dreams you have. The people in your circle should support you in a non- patronising way and help you to have control of your own life.

Fairway will help you to build your own circle of friends. The project will help you to make the arrangements and invitations to your circle. It is hoped that maybe one day with the help of the project that you will manage your own circle and make your own arrangements to meet up with your friends.

Below please find contact information for Advocacy Services in Ayrshire:

North Ayrshire

AIMS Advocacy
31 Hamilton St
Saltcoats
KA21 5DT
Tel: 01294 608663
aims.advoc@ukonline.co.uk

South Ayrshire

CASS (Citizens Advocacy Support Service)
Sutherland House
123 Prestwick tRoad
Ayr
KA8 8NJ
Tel: 01292 268873

East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire Advocacy Services Ltd
20 Lindsay Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 2BB
Tel: 01563 574442

Other Useful Contacts:

South Ayrshire Carers Centre – 01292 263000

North Ayrshire Carers Centre – 01294 311333

East Ayrshire Carers Centre – 01563 571533

Who Cares? Scotland – 0141 226 4441
www.whocaresscotland.org

Youth Advocacy Group – 01563 572757
CHAP (Housing Advocacy)
Tel no. 01294 313137
www.chap.org.uk or visit our youth site www.chap-at-the-door.org.uk
Email: chap@chap.org.uk