Advocacy is a way of protecting and asserting your rights when dealing with organisations and is founded on the belief that people are of equal value regardless of ability, wealth or status and are therefore entitled to equal rights.
If you find it too hard or do not have the confidence to take any complaint or dissatisfaction directly to the person responsible, advocacy services can help with the following:
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Listen and find out what your rights are
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Help you to plan any action you may need or wish to take
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Obtain information for you, or put you in touch with someone who can
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Liaise with relevant agencies, write letters and make telephone calls with or for you
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Prepare for meetings or reviews and make sure your views are heard
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Increase communication levels between yourself and others
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Investigate alternative sources of support
Carers Leeds
Whilst not a specialist advocacy service, Carers Leeds will provide advice and help with complaints call 0113 246 8338.
The Advocacy Network
The network provides a Directory of Advocacy Services available in Leeds.
Black and Ethnic Minority People
The Advocacy and Interpreting Service also aim to improve access to health and social services, tel 0113 235 1877. Leeds Black Elders offers individual advocacy for black people over 55 years of age, tel 0113 237 4332.
Children
Leeds Children’s Rights Service, tel 0113 394 4748. The Market Place mental health for 13–25 year olds, tel 0113 246 1659.
Citizens Advice Bureaux
The Bureaus is available on 0870 120 2450.
People who are deaf and/or blind and visually impaired
North Regional Deaf Association and the North Regional Association for the Blind, tel 01606 330362.
People with any physical, sensory or learning disability
Leeds Centre for Integrated Living, tel 0113 214 3599.
People with a learning disability
Leeds Advocacy, tel 0113 244 0606.
People with mental health issue or dementia
The Leeds Mental Health Advocacy Group, tel 0113 247 0452 or247 0449. The Market Place primarily mental health for 13–25 year olds, tel 0113 246 1659.
Information about using personal budgets - taking control of your services.
Freetolive are the Personal Budget Peer Support Network - a group of people already using personal budgets in Leeds who want to help others manage the money allocated for their care services. Visit their website at www.freetoliveleeds.org.
Older people
AgeUk Leeds, tel 0113 245 8579.
For other pages in this section, useful web addresses, leaflets and contacts please follow the links on the right.