Advocacy is when someone helps you to put your views over to other people and who helps you to be more involved in decisions that affect you.

The person who helps you is called your advocate.

In the Falkirk area, Forth Valley Advocacy provides an independent advocacy service.


Who can have an advocate?

You can get an advocacy service if you are over 16 years and have a specific condition such as:

  • mental health issues
  • a learning disability
  • Dementia
  • a brain injury
  • Autism

The service gives priority to people who are affected by some laws. This means that these people will be seen more quickly. The laws include:

  • The Mental Health Act
  • The Adult Support and Protection Act
  • The Adults with Incapacity Act

There is a different advocacy service for children and young people.


What will an advocate do?

An advocate will:

  • find out what you think
  • help you find information
  • help you to put your views over to other people
  • go along to meetings with you
  • stand up for you when you need them to
  • tell you your rights and responsibilities
  • help you fill in forms
  • write and read letters for you

What will an advocate not do?

An advocate will not:

  • tell you what to do
  • do everything for you
  • make promises they won't keep

Most times, an advocate will not speak to other people about you without your permission. But sometimes they may have to do this. The advocate will tell you about this.


How do I get an advocate?

You can get an advocate by:

  • getting in touch with Forth Valley Advocacy
  • asking your worker or someone else to get in touch with Forth Valley Advocacy

Forth Valley Advocacy will tell you if they can give you a service.

If they can give you a service, they will match you with an advocate that you will get on with. Forth Valley Advocacy may not always be able to respond right away, so it’s best to make a referral to the service as soon as you can.

How do I contact Forth Valley Advocacy?

Go to their website: www.forthvalleyadvocacy.com
or

Forth Valley Advocacy
1 The Bungalows
Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4SZ