WARRINGTON Borough Council has launched a new service which will make sure that people with care and support needs have a voice.
The Warrington ‘Speak Up Together’ Advocacy Hub has been set up to provide a range of services ensuring people can access their rights and have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives..
Jointly commissioned by the council and Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, the new advocacy hub is based in the town centre at The Gateway, Sankey Street, so it is easily accessible for service users.
Advocacy services support people by making sure they have their voice heard on issues that are important to them.
Warrington’s new Advocacy Hub is a new collaboration between Warrington Speak Up and Together for Mental Wellbeing, offering a seamless service, delivered from one location.
Bringing together advocacy services in one place will make it easier for people to access the right kind of advocacy support at the time they need it and also that they experience better continuity of support
Executive board member for health and adult social care, Cllr Pat Wright, said: “It’s vital that all decisions made about people’s care and treatment are fully informed by their wishes and feelings.
“That’s why we are fully committed to helping them to understand what is happening, and where necessary, helping them to challenge it.
“I am very pleased that we have strong local and independent services in place to support people with care and support needs.
“I believe that this new hub will play a vital role in our on-going work, making it easier for some of our most vulnerable residents to consistently get the help they need – when they need it.
“We know that some people can have difficulty in understanding information, making decisions about their care and treatment and expressing their wishes and feelings. Often friends and family can and will support them, but there are times when an independent advocate is required.”
An advocate:
- Can help you make informed choices, speaks up on your behalf and listens to your needs.
- Can help people who may find it difficult to access information and services, be involved in decisions about their lives, explore choices and options and defend and promote their rights.
- May not always be necessary – but the new service will be able to point people in the right direction and signpost them to appropriate services.
Staff at the new service are also keen to develop and train volunteer advocates and there will be a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator on-site.
