Someone to speak on my behalf (advocacy)

Having someone to speak on your behalf, helping you to express your views and wishes, is known as advocacy. It enables people with physical or learning disabilities, older people or those with mental health needs to make informed choices and decisions about their own health and social care.

The council don’t offer advocacy services but there are local organisations that can act as independent advocates.

If you have substantial difficulty in taking part in any assessment, review or planning activity about your needs, and you do not have another appropriate person who is able to support you and represent your wishes, the council will arrange for an independent advocate to help represent you. 

Types of advocacy

Formal, professional or crisis advocacy

This is when paid advocates focus on a task over a specific period of time. Organisations that offer this type of advocacy include:

• Age UK Advocacy: Be Heard – Helping those aged 60+ with tribunals, consumer issues, health care and housing challenges. Telephone 01942 241972 or email enquiries@ageukwiganborough.org.uk
• Embrace – Supporting parents with learning disabilities who require early intervention and additional support. Telephone 01942 233323 or email info@embracewiganandleigh.org.uk
• Embrace Wigan and Leigh - We offer free, impartial and confidential advocacy for people who live in Wigan and Leigh. Telephone 01942 233323 or email info@embracewiganandleigh.org.uk
• Wigan Family Welfare – Offers professional advocacy services to support and represent individuals, families, young people and children. Telephone 01942 867888 ot email admin@wiganfamilywelfare.co.uk.

Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy helps people speak up for themselves. Organisations that offer this type of advocacy include:

• Wigan and Leigh People First (external link) – This is a user led self-advocacy charity for people with learning disabilities. Telephone 01942 728748 or email info@wlpf.org.uk
• More Than Words – They provide person-centred activities for adults with a range of social needs, communication and learning difficulties, and other health conditions. Telephone 01942 735426 / 07985 412234 or email info.mtwadvoc@gmail.com.