Our generic advocacy is changing in Somerset.

We are excited to offer a different generic advocacy approach, which we feel will be more empowering for our clients.
We will only accept self-referrals for generic advocacy. It is issue-based and time-limited.

We will be working with clients who want to actively engage in developing their self-advocacy skills, using our advocacy toolkit.

If you want to know more about self-advocacy please contact us for more information.

Find out more about generic advocacy here.

We provide statutory advocacy under The Care Act 2014 which supports people who:

– Experience substantial difficulty in being fully involved in assessment, care and support planning, review and safeguarding process.

– Have no one else appropriate to support and represent their wishes.

To find out more about Care Act advocacy click here.

Our Somerset IMHA advocates are specialists who are trained and qualified to work within the Mental Health Act 1983. They are completely independent of any person or other service involved with the treatment or care of the person they are supporting.

To find out more about Independent Mental Health Advocacy click here.

An IMHA can help you understand:

• Your rights under the Mental Health Act 1983
• Any medical treatment you are having or might be given

An IMHA can:

• Come with you to meetings and ward rounds
• Help you to raise your views with ward staff
• Help you to access your medical notes and records
• Make a complaint about your treatment or support
• Make an application to the Mental Health Tribunal

An IMHA will:

• Listen to you
• Support you at meetings to ask questions and get answers
• Help make sure your voice is heard in decisions about you

To find out more about Independent Mental Health Advocacy click here.

Our advocates are there to make sure vulnerable adults, who lack the ability to make important decisions and do not have family or friends to help them, have someone who can make sure their wishes and feelings are taken into account when people are making decisions on their behalf.

To find out more about Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy click here.

Our advocates provide statutory, independent NHS complaints advocacy supporting people who want to make a formal complaint using the NHS Complaints Procedure. This can be about any aspect of NHS-funded healthcare and can include issues such as poor treatment or service.

To find out more about NHS Complaints advocacy click here.

If you have a complaint about the NHS in Somerset you can contact us for guidance and information.

We launched VOCAS in Somerset on 1st April 2019.

Adult victims can access advocacy, alongside practical and emotional support to help them to cope and recover from their experience and to engage with the criminal justice system if they choose to do so.   This enhanced adult service will be available for

• adult victims who have barriers or additional support requirements linked to:
• adult victims who have been targeted because of their:

*Race *Religion *Sexuality *Gender Identity *Mental health issues *Learning difficulties *Physical disabilities *Problems associated with old age *Problems associated with social exclusion or isolation

Find out more by visiting our VOCAS page.

Do you feel frustrated or let down by services?
Do you find it hard to voice your problems and get your needs met?

SWAN’s free Self-Advocacy Course can help give you the skills and confidence to speak up for yourself.

How is the training planned?

Each session will provide confidence building activities, and tool kits to help you self-advocate in different situations in your life.

What issues will the training help you with?

• Housing

• Employment

• Benefits

• Raising complaints

• Health & Social Care Meetings

SWAN’s Be Heard training is aimed at providing support and resources to people, providing them with the confidence and skills to self-advocate. Our training is co-designed and delivered with Peer Advocacy Coaches who are Experts by Experience. This ensures that our training is helpful for all and covers issues relevant to them.

Self-Advocacy is being able to speak up for yourself and tell people what you want and need. People who can self-advocate can make their own complaints and be part of decision making.
SWAN believes that with the right tools and resources anyone can learn to be their own advocate.

SWAN’s Be Heard training aims to increase a person’s confidence and ability to speak up by providing them with this training and additional resources.

To find out more information and upcoming events, click here.