| What qualities are we looking for in an Advocate? |
| Communication Skills Since we aim to support people who find it difficult to speak up for themselves we need someone who can support and encourage them. If necessary, the advocate should be capable of speaking on their behalf , having first made sure that they understand what their partner wishes them to say. Assertiveness This means that advocates should be able to put across a message in a positive and assured manner without resorting to aggression. A degree of sensitivity is necessary when dealing with professionals on behalf of a service user. Remaining calm and assertive acheives better results than becoming angry and losing one's temper! Ability to work independently Advocates need to be able to work on their own, in partnership with the individual service user with whom they are matched. They should, however, be able to reflect about their work and accept the support offered by the paid staff. It is always important to seek help when necessary. Commitment After the initial induction training, advocates have choice and flexibility over the frequency and duration of visits to their partner. However, with Citizen Advocacy a longer term of commitment is expected, preferably at least a year. Freedom from prejudice Whilst advocates must be non-judgemental, it is necessary to have an awareness of the kinds of prejudice our service users are likely to have experienced in society. These include rejection, being patronised, having their view ignored or not taken seriously and generally being undervalued as citizens. Experience Experience of such user groups as ours, whilst desirable, is certainly not essential. You bring you own life experiences to your work. Being open-minded and willing to learn are far more useful attributes. |
| When we at DIAS receive a referral for the the services of an advocate we will visit the potential user to assess the need for advocacy and to explain how the service works. We will then select from our group of volunteers the person with the relevant experience and personal qualities to suit the user and introduce them to each other. Thereafter we expect the advocate's first loyalty to be with their partner and will keep a brief record of their contact with their partner. To observe confidentiality these records will neither identify nor reveal any details about their partner. |
| We currently have 43 active volunteers. |
| How many people do we help? |
| How are Advocates and their partners matched? |
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