Citizen Advocacy

As part of our advocacy project, Trafford CIL is working to launch a citizen advocacy project, which enables members of the general public to advocate for others providing support and guidance through a range of situations.

In Citizen Advocacy projects, a member of the public volunteers their time and receives training to advocate for a deaf or disabled person. They become ‘partners’ and work together for as long as is necessary.

Trafford CIL is seeking to recruit a small team of Citizen Advocates. We will provide full training, as well as the option to pursue additional free qualifications, and will work to match Citizen Advocacy partnerships carefully.

What is Citizen Advocacy?

    > A Citizen Advocate can help with writing letters, making telephone calls, attending meetings or 

        speaking to others

     > Citizen Advocacy is independent of a person’s family and other support services

     > The advocate gets to know and supports their partner

     > The advocate ensures that their partner’s views, feelings, wishes and rights are being listened to

        and upheld

    > The advocate ensures that any decisions being made are solely in the interest of their partner

     > The advocate is there to provide support through good times and bad times

     > The advocate supports their partner to think ideas through and then, if needed, do something

        about it

Who can be a Citizen Advocate?

     > A member of the public who volunteers to support someone to speak up for themselves

     > Somebody who is a good listener and good at communicating with different people in

         different ways

     > Somebody who has a couple of hours to spare, about once a fortnight

How do Citizen Advocacy Partnerships Work?
 

      > Advocates and their partners meet at a time and place that suits both people

     > They spend time getting to know each other and understanding what needs to happen

     > The people in an advocacy partnership also socialise and get to know new people

 If you would like to become a Citizen Advocate, or know anybody who may like to get involved, please CLICK HERE to contact Judy Sutherland  or call 0161 850 0645