Advocacy

Advocacy is support that helps you:

• share your views, wishes, and concerns and have your voice heard
• understand your rights and the choices available to you
• make your own decisions
• be involved in decisions about your care
• take part in important meetings about your health or wellbeing

An advocate is a trained person who provides this support.

They are independent from the NHS and social services, and they are not a family member or close friend.

Advocacy is a free service.

Who can an advocate help?

An advocate can support you to make decisions about your health and care if you are:

• an older person
• a person with a physical disability
• a person with a learning disability
• someone with mental health needs
• someone with an illness or disability that affects daily life

Advocacy in Southend

Advocacy in Southend is provided by South Essex Advocacy Services (SEAS).

SEAS is an independent organisation that supports adults by:

• helping people make informed choices
• challenging barriers that stop people receiving the right services
• making sure individuals are included in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing

How SEAS can help

SEAS can support you with:

• benefit assessments and filling in forms
• free and impartial advice and information
• concerns about financial abuse
• appeals and tribunals

and statutory advocacy, including:

• Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA)
• Care Act Advocates
• Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA)
• Relevant Person's Representatives (RPR)

For more information about these types of statutory advocacy, please visit the Hub website.