WACA: Advocacy




	Registered as a Charity, no. 1044945 Registered as a Ltd. Company, no. 2960439

	© 2007 Winchester Area Community Action


	Advocacy:

	What is Advocacy? Advocacy is a partnership between an advocate and someone who needs support in speaking up for themselves. How can I get an advocate Telephone us on 01962 848023, we can then arrange a meeting with you to discuss your needs. If appropriate we will match you with a suitable volunteer advocate who will be on your side and may, if necessary, and with your agreement, speak or act on your behalf. Matching a person with the right advocate is important and may take more than one meeting. Once this has been achieved the goals for the partnership will be agreed. The partnership will be reviewed by the project at regular intervals. How can I become an advocate? We train local volunteers as advocates. Telephone us and we will supply details of training. Who do I contact? Winchester District Advocacy Projects Winchester Area Community Action The Winchester Centre 68 St Georges Street Winchester SO23 8AH Telephone: 01962 848023 / 848032 Email: dcapps@waca.org.uk

The Winchester District Advocacy Projects:
- Exercising rights
- Understanding responsibilities
- Obtaining information
- Making important choices
- Making plans
- Communicating with other people & organisations
- Tackling problems

Our service is:
- Free
- Independent
- Confidential

Our Advocacy Projects cover the Winchester District.
This means that we offer our services in the outlying areas covered by Winchester City Council District as well as the city of Winchester itself.

If you are unsure about anything on this web page we are always pleased to assist.

Please note: Personal visits to the projects are by appointment only.

For Further Information including Advocacy Projects outside the Winchester District try these sites:
- Advocacy Resource Exchange (ARX)
- HARG (Hampshire Advocacy Regional Group)
- www.e.volve.org.uk

Mental Capacity Act:
The Mental Capacity Act came into force 1 April 2007. It provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Under the act a new role of Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) has been created to help and represent people who do not have the capacity to make certain significant decisions. The Hampshire Regional Advocacy Group (HARG) has secured a contract with Hampshire County Council to provide IMCA services across the county and we are a member of that consortium. To find out more about IMCA services please phone 01256 478999, email imca@hampshireadvocacy.org.uk or see the HARG website at www.hampshireadvocacy.org.uk

Just Us:
Just Us is a self- advocacy group for adults with learning difficulties.

The group meets on alternate Monday evenings at the United Church, Jewry Street. Just Us has been running for eight years and uses music and drama to enable people to show how they feel, communicate, gain confidence and speak out. Each meeting is attended by a trained facilitator and a music or drama therapist.

Currently, Just Us is able to take on new members and anyone interested in joining the group should contact:

Dave Capps, Manager Winchester District Advocacy Projects

Phone: 01962 848023; email dcapps@waca.org.uk