Advocacy is a way of protecting and asserting your rights when dealing with organisations and is founded on the belief that people are of equal value regardless of ability, wealth or status and are therefore entitled to equal rights.
If you find it too hard or do not have the confidence to take any complaint or dissatisfaction directly to the person responsible, advocacy services can help with the following:
-
Listen and find out what your rights are
-
Help you to plan any action you may need or wish to take
-
Obtain information for you, or put you in touch with someone who can
-
Liaise with relevant agencies, write letters and make telephone calls with or for you
-
Prepare for meetings or reviews and make sure your views are heard
-
Increase communication levels between yourself and others
-
Investigate alternative sources of support
Carers Leeds
Whilst not a specialist advocacy service, Carers Leeds will provide advice and help with complaints, tel 0113 246 8338.
The Advocacy Network provide a Directory of Advocacy Services in Leeds that includes for specific groups the following.
Black and Ethnic Minority People
The Advocacy and Interpreting Service also aim to improve access to the Health and Social Services, tel 0113 235 1877
Leeds Black Elders offers individual advocacy for black people over 55 years of age, tel 0113 237 4332
Children
Leeds Children’s Rights Service, tel 0113 394 4748
The Market Place, mental health for 13–25 year olds, tel 0113 246 1659
Citizens Advice Bureaux tel 0870 120 2450
People who are deaf and/or blind and visually impaired
North Regional Deaf Association and the North Regional Association for the Blind, tel 01606 330362
People with any physical, sensory or learning disability
Leeds Centre for Integrated Living, tel 0113 214 3599
People with a learning disability
Leeds Advocacy, tel 0113 244 0606
People with mental health issue or dementia
The Leeds Mental Health Advocacy Group, tel 0113 247 0452 or 247 0449
The Market Place primarily mental health for 13–25 year olds, tel 0113 246 1659
Older people
Age Concern Leeds, tel 0113 245 8579
For other pages in this section, useful web addresses, leaflets and contacts please follow the links on the right.