Advocacy
What is advocacy?
Advocacy ensures people are able to:
- have their voice heard on issues that are important to them
- defend and safeguard their rights
- have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives.
Advocacy is a process of supporting and enabling people to:
- express their views and concerns
- access information and services
- defend and promote their rights and responsibilities
- explore choices and options.
What advocacy services are available?
The information below covers a range of advocacy services which are offered in the Bradford district. Advocacy services are provided by a number of independent organisations.
Voiceability
VoiceAbility Bradford supports adults who may have mental health issues, learning disabilities, dementia, acquired brain injury or other disability. They also work in some cases with children and with family carers. VoiceAbility advocates support people to speak up for themselves and can also speak up for people’s views on their behalf if they are unable to do this for themselves. VoiceAbility Bradford offers the following kinds of advocacy:
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and Paid Representatives
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
- Care Act Advocacy including Care Act Advocacy in Prisons
Telephone: 01274 888 017
Email: bradford@voiceability.org
Website: www.voiceability.org
Twitter: @VA_Bradford
Vital
Vital provides the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service for Bradford and District. For further information on Vital and our exciting service plans for the future please follow us on:
Twitter: @vitalprojects18
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BAMHAG/
Telephone: 01274 770118
Email: hello@vitalprojects.org.uk
Website: www.vitalprojects.org.uk
DIVA Bradford
The DIVA Bradford project brings together information on voluntary and community services and groups in a single directory. Website: http://divabradford.org.uk/
Self and group advocacy
Equality Together, Bradford People First and People First Keighley and Craven working together provide dedicated Self Advocacy across the Bradford district. 'Self Advocacy' is about taking control of decisions about yourself and telling others what you want.
Equality Together
Telephone: 01274 594173
Email: enquiry@equalitytogether.org.uk
Website: www.equalitytogether.org.uk
Bradford People First
Bradford People First is a self-advocacy group run by and for people with learning disabilities within the Bradford District. This service is aimed at people over 18 with learning disabilities.
Telephone: 01274 744151
Email: office@bradfordpeoplefirst.co.uk
Website: http://www.bradfordpeoplefirst.org.uk/
People First Keighley and Craven
People First Keighley and Craven are a self-advocacy group that strives to represent, consult, communicate and advocate not only for our organisation and the members in it but also for people with disabilities wherever we go and in the work we do.
Telephone: 01535 607222
Email: admin@peoplefirstkc.com
Website: www.peoplefirstkc.com