Having your voice heard (including Advocacy)

There are different types of Advocacy Services available in Cheshire West which depend upon what you need support with and what your circumstances are. You can refer yourself or a professional can make a referral on your behalf. More information can be found on the Voiceability website.

Advocates

An advocate is someone who can support or represent you when dealing with everyday problems or in times of crisis.

Advocates are independent professionals who work with people to help them understand their options, know their rights and say what they want. This helps to make sure that people are involved as much as possible in decisions about their health and care.

What do advocates do?

An advocate can support someone to:

• communicate their views and wishes
• understand their rights
• understand any processes and decisions they are subject to
• understand the options they have
• make their own choices
• challenge a decision

Even when someone can’t tell their advocate what they want, our advocates will use a range of approaches to establish their views and wishes as far as possible and secure their rights. In some circumstances, an advocate has the right to access medical or care records on behalf of the person they are supporting.

An advocate may write a report that must be taken into consideration by professionals.

Power of Attorney

You might also be in a position to appoint a Power of Attorney.

Power of Attorney is a legal document whereby one person (the "Donor") gives another person or persons (the "Attorney") the power to act on his or her behalf with regard to his or her property and financial affairs.

To find out more please see our Power of Attorney pages.

In contrast, an Enduring Power of Attorney allows the Donor to appoint a legally authorised person to look after their property and financial affairs should they become incapable of doing so themselves at some point in the future. It continues after the Donor has become mentally incapable of managing his or her affairs and must be registered when the Attorney becomes aware or has reason to believe that the Donor has become or is becoming mentally incapable.