Advocacy and support groups

What is advocacy?

We are entitled to:

• make choices about our lives
• receive the social and health services we need
• be informed of our rights
• enjoy opportunities in leisure, education, training and employment
• to be different and not to suffer discrimination
• complain when something goes wrong.

Advocacy is founded on the belief that people are of equal value regardless of ability, wealth or status and are therefore entitled to equal rights.

What can an advocate do?

An advocate can:

• listen to you
• help you to plan any action you may need or wish to take
• write letters and make telephone calls with you, or for you
• ensure your views are heard by attending meetings/reviews with you
• obtain information for you, or put you in touch with someone who can
• spend time with you preparing for meetings
• investigate alternative sources of support
• increase communication levels between yourself and others
• find out what your rights are
• liaise with relevant agencies.

Local independent advocacy services are available to help you express your views and concerns.

Advocacy and advice groups

There are a number of organisations in Oxfordshire who cover the specific needs of people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and sensory impairment, and of older people.

• Oxfordshire Carers' Forum, 01993 706543
• Oxfordshire Advocacy Development Group, 01865 741200
• The Relatives & Residents Association advice line, 020 7359 3136
• The Oxfordshire Council of Disabled People, 01865 792226
• All Age Advocacy Dementia Project (ADAPT), 01865 742745
• Age Concern Oxfordshire, 01235 849400, St Edmunds House, 39 West Street, Abingdon OX14 5BW
• The Direct Payments Information, Advice and Support Service, 01865 728994
• Community advocates
  Chinese: 01865 456619 or 456622
  Indian and Pakistani women: 01865 456622
  Bangladeshi women: 01865 456623
  Travellers: 01869 325796
  Caribbean: 01865 456618

There are a number of groups and organisations - local and national - which provide advice and support to older people. They include:

• Age Concern - leading charity concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people. Information line 0800 00 99 66
• Alzheimer's Society - The Alzheimer's Society provides advice and support to people with dementia and their carers. 020 7306 0606
• Association of Retired and Persons over 50 - A social organisation for people aged 50 and up.
• Carers' Centres
• Contact the Elderly - Seeks to reduce isolation for older people who live alone, by providing social occasions such as monthly tea parties. Freephone 0800 716543
• Help the Aged - A leading national charity for older people. 020 7278 1114

Legal advice

The Community Legal Service Fund helps people who cannot afford legal services as long as they meet certain conditions. The scheme, which replaced Legal Aid, is run by the Legal Services Commission. A solicitor or adviser will tell you if you qualify for help.

Many organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux and law centres, offer a free service. It is possible that you may have to pay for some charges, such as photocopying, to cover the organisation's costs.

Some organisations, including solicitors, offer a set period (often 30 minutes) of initial free advice. For example, the Accident Line scheme offers a free initial interview with a solicitor for those who have suffered a personal injury because of an accident. For more details of Accident Line you can call their free telephone helpline on 0500 192939.

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