Advocacy is a way of supporting people to make sure their voices are heard and their needs are met. Advocates help people express their opinions, make their own informed choices, and exercise their rights.
Advocates are independent from our Trust. They are non-judgmental and confidential, and will only act on the wishes of the person they are advocating for.
We work closely with several advocacy organisations.
There are a number of other advocacy organisations working across the Black Country that may be of help. These include:
Sandwell Advocacy - Provide a free, confidential, and independent advocacy support to people who find it difficult to say and get what they want and need.
Rethink Mental Illness - Citizen advocacy scheme matching volunteer advocates with people with mental health problems. Advocates provide help with exploring options and choices and representing views.
Healthwatch are the independent national champion for people who use health and social care services. They find out what matters to people, and help make sure their views shape the support they need.
There is a local Healthwatch in every area of England. They support local Healthwatch to find out what people like about services, and what could be improved, and share these views with those with the power to make change happen.
They have the power to make sure that those in charge of health and social care services hear people's voices. As well as seeking the public's views, Healthwatch also encourage health and social care services to involve people in decisions that affect them.
Contact details for local Healthwatch organisations to the Trust:
Healthwatch Dudley
Address: 7 Albion Street
Brierley Hill
DY5 3EE
Telephone: 03000 111 001
Email: hello@healthwatchdudley.co.uk
Please click here for their website.
Healthwatch Walsall
Address: Blakenall Village Centre
79 Thames Road
Blakenall
Walsall
WS3 1LZ
Email: info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 470 1660
Please click here for their website
Healthwatch Wolverhampton
Address: Regent House
First Floor
Bath Avenue
WV1 4EG
Email: info@healthwatchwolverhampton.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 470 1944
Please click here for their website
Healthwatch Sandwell
Address: Walker Grange
Central Avenue
Tipton
DY4 9RY
Telephone: 0121 569 7211
Email: info@healthwatchsandwell.co.uk
Please click here for their website.
VoiceAbility provides Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for the Trust for Dudley.
The advocates provide issues-based, one-to-one advocacy. This means the advocate will agree a plan with the individual based on issues that concern the individual. Once these issues have reached an agreed outcome the advocacy service is no longer needed. The advocates aim to promote independence, supporting people to move towards being able to self-advocate.
Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs) support people with issues relating to their care and treatment when they have been detained (sectioned) under the Mental Health Act. They also help people understand their rights under the Mental Health Act.
Please click here to visit their website.
Telephone: 0300 303 1660
Email: helpline@voiceability.org