Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want,
secure their rights,
represent their interests and
obtain services that meet their individual needs.

Advocacy:

• Helps people achieve the involvement they want
  in their local community
• Protects the rights of people who may experience
  prejudice and discrimination
• Ensures that people are put first,
  especially within health and social care services
• Ensures that people who need care and support
  are listened to and are at the centre of all decisions made about them – “nothing about me without me”
• Promotes everyone’s right to determine their own life,
  even when that involves taking risks
• Promotes partnership to ensure that those most vulnerable in
  our communities are protected from harm and exploitation

Advocacy changes communities and makes them better places to live,
where everyone can feel they belong and have a role.