"My first experience of advocacy was the most precious gift I could have been given,” says Rosie Young, advocacy client and volunteer advocate with Oxfordshire Advocacy.


What is advocacy? At its heart advocacy is very simple: it is about helping someone to have their say. In doing so, advocacy can support people to secure their rights and obtain services they are entitled to.

Advocacy reaches out to adults in some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged sections of our community, people isolated in their own home, in a care setting or in hospital. People who are experiencing tremendous difficulties in getting their views heard across a huge range of issues.


Oxfordshire Advocacy has been supporting disadvantaged adults in Oxfordshire to get their voices heard since 1992. Advocacy clients include older people, carers, those aged 50-plus affected by cancer, people with learning difficulties, dementia, mental health concerns, physical or sensory impairments.
People seek out Oxfordshire Advocacy facing a huge range of issues.  

Perhaps they have just received a diagnosis of cancer but lack family or friends to accompany them to medical appointments. Or the lift in their block of flats has broken and they need the council to make swift repairs so that they can get to the doctor on their mobility scooter.  


Oxfordshire Advocacy Advocates support people to make phone calls, prepare for and attend meetings, undertake research and whatever else is required on their issue so that they know what their options are and can get their voice heard.


Oxfordshire Advocacy (OA) could not provide their service without its dynamic and dedicated team of volunteers. OA currently has a pool of 50 volunteers and is looking to recruit more to meet the increased demand for advocacy in Oxfordshire in 2015 and beyond. Volunteers need to be good listeners and respectful of others’ views.

They are also required to attend a free three-day advocacy training course – next course is on February 19, 20 and 27. Here is feedback from a client who benefited from OA advocacy support: “Gave me confidence, someone on my side. He was a good lad.” 


To request the form to become a Volunteer Advocate for Oxfordshire Advocacy or to find out more, or make a donation, email: pat@oadg.org.uk telephone: 01865 741200 – Pat Web: www.gettingheard.org