Advocacy work is an eye-opener, according to one of the volunteers at Oxfordshire Advocacy, a free service that helps people to get their voice heard and their wishes taken into account.


“You meet people for whom everyday things are a challenge. To offer support as an advocate partner is life affirming — and a privilege.”


Oxfordshire Advocacy offers independent and confidential support to people living in the county including older people, those with dementia, mental health issues or physical needs, helping them to secure their rights and represent their interests.


Trained volunteer advocates work with people who need support preparing for or attending a meeting with, for example, a social worker, doctor, landlord or employer.


They help people with writing a letter, making a complaint, or making sure that correct procedures are followed.


Naomi Karslake, co-ordinator at Oxfordshire Advocacy, said: “Our advocates argue the case for some of society’s most vulnerable, such as people with acquired brain injuries, or advanced dementia who cannot speak for themselves.
“We try to make sure that these people remain at the centre of any decisions made around their life and support their carers to ensure they get all the services they need.
“Advocates give support to a variety of people with different needs.
“Recently our volunteers have helped a man with severe depression to attend a medical assessment to check his eligibility for benefits; a young woman with a learning disability to express her wishes about the future care of her child; and a young woman who had a severe stroke and was unable to say whether she wanted to return to her partner’s or her parents’ home on discharge from hospital.”
Volunteers have supported people to make end-of-life plans both in terms of medical care and burial wishes, and helped people struggling to access enough support so they can continue to look after their loved ones who have long-term medical conditions, at home.
Oxfordshire Advocacy’s training courses for new volunteers are being held in Banbury on May 9, 10 and 17 and in Oxford on June 13, 14 and 21.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering for the charity, visit gettingheard.org/volunteer or telephone 01865 741200.