What is Community Advocacy
What does a community advocate do?
Who Can Access Community Advocacy?
Who can make a community advocacy referral?
What is Community Advocacy?
Community Advocacy supports vulnerable individuals who may need help to understand their rights, navigate services, and have their voices heard when facing certain issues. This type of advocacy is available to people who may feel unheard, unsure of their options, or need support to communicate their views when dealing with services such as health, housing, or social care. Community advocacy helps individuals in need of support who do not meet the eligibility criteria for statutory advocacy support.
What does a community advocate do?
Community advocates work alongside individuals to ensure they are able to make informed choices and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Community Advocacy is independent from services, meaning advocates only act in the interests of the individual they support.
The service is also person-centred, ensuring the individual’s views, wishes, and goals remain at the centre of all advocacy support.
A Community Advocate can support someone to:
- Understand their rights and available services
- Express their views, wishes, and concerns
- Prepare for meetings with professionals
- Access support from health, housing, or social care services
- Understand letters, forms, or official documents
- Explore options and make informed decisions
The advocate works independently and focuses on what the person wants to achieve.
Who Can Access Community Advocacy?
Libra Partnership currently provides community advocacy in London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham with our partners HF Mencap. The Community Advocacy Service is funded to provide advocacy to adults aged 18+ who live in the borough and meet one or more of the following criteria:
- People with learning disabilities and/or autism
- People with mental health problems
- People with a brain injury
- People with physical disabilities
- People with sensory impairments (sight and hearing problems)
- Older people and people with dementia
- People with a long-term illness
- People with profound and multiple disabilities or complex health needs
Who can make a community advocacy referral?
Community Advocacy services are usually accessed through direct requests from the individual wishing to receive support.
