Advocacy hub gives vulnerable people more of a ‘voice and choice’

A new initiative has been launched in Bridgend to help give vulnerable people, and those who are supported by social services, more of a voice to express their views.

The ‘Bridgend Voice and Choice’ hub has been set up as a first port of call for anyone who needs an ‘advocate’ to represent their opinions and stand up for their rights.

A dedicated helpline has been created which can be called by the public on 0808 801 0330. The helpline is available from Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Various organisations have come together to form the hub including ProMo-Cymru, Bridgend County Borough Council, Mental Health Matters, People First Bridgend and the Golden Thread Advocacy Project.

Bridgend Voice and Choice can benefit those vulnerable people in our communities whose voices and choices are often overlooked, ignored or misunderstood. This builds on and strengthens the advocacy arrangements that are already in place.

It’s vital for vulnerable people to be able to access advocacy services so that they can then be given the support they need to help them cope better with the range of difficult situations they may face in their daily lives.

Advocacy can be provided most effectively when groups come together to offer their shared wealth of knowledge so I’m really pleased to see so much drive from a number of organisations to provide good quality advocacy services in Bridgend County Borough.

Councillor Phil White, the council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help

The new hub was launched at St John’s Cymru in Bridgend at the first meeting of the new Advocacy Providers’ Forum. More than 40 practitioners, service users and carers from a cross-section of local services met up to exchange their ideas on how to make advocacy more accessible.

Stephanie Hoffman, Head of Social Action, said: “It was a great event, bringing so many people together and creating a real buzz and energy to do more to ensure people’s voices are heard and taken account of when others are involved in making life changing decisions about them.”

Michaela Moore, Director of Mental Health Matters Wales, confirmed: “It is useful for people who have multiple issues to access a central Hub which can help them gain access to services which can help them, including when advocacy is not suitable or appropriate.”

Jason Tynan, Chief Executive of People First Bridgend also reinforced: “The hub is great because the helpline staff have so much more information about what is available at their fingertips, and they are able to check things out with everyone to make sure the person gets the help they need.”

The Bridgend Voice and Choice’ hub can be contacted on 0808 801 0330. For more information, visit the Bridgend Voice and Choice website.