What do citizen advocates do? MOST simply, an advocate is a representative. But just as each person who wants an advocate is different, each advocate is different and takes on different roles. These can include being a: Spokesperson: willing to represent a partner's interests vigorously in situations where their rights could be compromised, neglected or abused. Guide: helping with practical problem-solving, such as using transport, budgeting, shopping, or using the phone. Information aide: helping find useful information and contacts. Financial guide: helping find financial advice and deal with money issues. Monitor: watching out for a partner who might be in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Neighbour: Advocates who live near their partners can 'keep an eye on things' and provide help if it is needed. 'Enabler': encouraging and supporting those with learning disabilities to become more independent and speak up for themselves. Defender - of cultural and ethnic identity: helping to support and reinforce a person's cultural and ethnic identity, especially when backgrounds are shared. Supporter - of role challenging: helping change the roles they have been socialised to take on: Companion: spending time regularly with someone, give little positive feedback or seem to have little awareness Confidant: sharing personal thoughts in confidence. Friend: sharing common interests and social activities. Other roles Leeds Advocacy also supports volunteer advocates who do not have long-term, individual matches. Crisis advocates Some advocates are ready, at very short notice, to respond to crises; either as representatives or practically in some way, or both. Sometimes long-term partnerships can develop from such situations, although this is not the first intention. 'Co-advocates' These advocates share advocacy relationships ('partnerships'), often in different roles and for particular reasons. Office advocates These advocates are regularly available in the Leeds Advocacy office or for specific tasks; such as during 'drop-in' sessions to offer immediate, basic help to people who do not have long-term advocates. Such help may include reading letters, helping to write letters, making a phone call, suggesting where to get help, perhaps accompanying people to appointments, or having a friendly chat. Office advocates also offer suggestions to other advocates by phone or may contact them to monitor - informally - how partnerships are going. Sometimes these advocates are Peer Team Leaders. Sessional paid advocates Leeds Advocacy also supports paid advocates as sessional advocates or professional advocates who do not have long-term partners, but carry out specific tasks. Leeds Advocacy often charges other organisations for such services. Over time Advocacy partnerships evolve, so individual advocates may take on a variety of roles over time. If circumstances change so that conflicts of interests or other disagreements appear between an advocate and the partner, Leeds Advocacy may no longer be able to support the relationship. A role conflict policy has been developed for such times. PREVIOUS NEXT Leeds Advocacy Unit A4, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB Tel: (0 113) 244 0606 Fax: (0 113) 244 0178 E-mail: office@leedsadvocacy.org.uk A company limited by guarantee; registered in England and Wales, No: 2533285 A registered charity; No 1000375 Copyright © in all material on this site remains the property of Leeds Advocacy, unless otherwise shown, in line with international law.