Community Services: Advocacy Service
Advocacy provides independent and up to date information to enable and support older people to make informed choices.
Who is the Advocacy Service For? The Advocacy Service is available to people over 60, their relatives and carers and who live in Havering.
When is the Advocacy Service available? We provide a telephone and appointment service at the office Monday-Friday between 9am -5pm. The Advocacy Service is not a drop in service. Home visits can also be arranged where necessary.
How can the Advocacy Service help? There are times when you need someone to help say what you want? Maybe you have been unable to obtain services and need a friend by your side for support. Perhaps you need an Advocate.
The Advocacy Service can provide:
- An independent view of the issue being discussed
- Representation/mediation
- Respect
- Information to enable people to make informed choices
- Assistance to obtain services you are entitled to
We are unable to help with:
- Consumer Issues
- Financial or legal advice
Who provides the Advocacy Service? Our friendly and dedicated team of trained staff and volunteer advocates are available to help and support people.
ADVOCACY IN PRIVATE SECTOR CARE HOMES AND SHELTERED HOUSING The Advocacy Service works with care home and sheltered housing providers with independent advocates to help older residents within the homes. It provides a flexible service which meets the needs of residents resolving issues of concern.
The Advocacy Service can:
- Visit residents on a regular basis
- Be pro-active in raising and addressing issues that affect residents
- Provide people with dignity and respect
- Provide relevant training to staff
- Mediate between staff and residents
- Advocate to represent the residents interests
FINANCIAL ADVOCACY The Financial Advocacy Service is available to people over 60 who have difficulty coping with the complex and challenging day to day living and have no one to help them with organising their finances.
The Service will:
- Understand and pay bills on time
- Provide access to cash for shopping etc
- Keep a general overview of finances
- Assist with one-off circumstance eg sale of house and move into a nursing home
Is there a charge? Please note that there is a charge for some services within the Advocacy Service. For further information please contact the office on the telephone number below.
For more information about the service, or for general enquiries, please call us on 01708 796602