North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Do you need some assistance in understanding your rights, having your voice heard or having your views understood when it comes to decisions about your health, care and wellbeing? If so, an independent advocate may be able to help.

Independent advocacy services are available to adults and older people in North Ayrshire through voice and rights charity VoiceAbility.

An independent advocate is impartial and can help you to:

• Communicate your views and wishes
• Understand your rights
• Understand the processes and decisions you are subject to
• Understand the options you have
• Make your own choices
• Challenge a decision

The advocate will:

• Listen and be on your side
• Represent you where you are not able to represent yourself
• Support you to make decisions

Requests for advocacy support can be made by an individual, a family member or friend. Referrals can also be made by a professional.

For more information, call the free VoiceAbility helpline on 0300 303 1660 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm – excluding bank holidays), or click on the ‘Chat with an Advocate’ window on the VoiceAbility website.

Referral forms can also be downloaded from the North Ayrshire page of the website.