Advocacy refers to the act of supporting individuals to express their views and rights, particularly those who may face challenges in advocating for themselves.
Support from an advocate
An advocate can support you to:
- Be heard and respected.
- Express your views and concerns
- Make decisions about your care options
- Find information and services
- Make sure the correct procedures are followed
- Challenge decisions we, or other organisations, make
Find an advocate
There are several different advocacy services available to people living in the London Borough of Enfield. These include professional services for various groups of social care customers as well as self-advocacy and peer advocacy groups.
POhWER offer a wide range of services for those who have mental health needs, learning disabilities, dementia, autistic spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, sensory and communication impairments, substance misuse issues, acquired brain injury, a serious physical illness or a dual diagnosis.
Types of advocacy offered by POhWER:
- POhWER provides advocacy for people who were assessed as lacking mental capacity and need help to make a specific decision
- POhWER offers Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for anyone that may be detained under the Mental Health Act.
- POhWER offers London Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service if you want to complain about any aspect of their NHS care or treatment. This includes treatment in a private hospital or care home that is funded by the NHS
- Mencap provides advocacy for learning disabilities
- VoiceAbility provides Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCA) to help vulnerable people who are facing important decisions made by us and by the NHS about serious medical treatment and change of residence
- London Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service can also help if you want to complain about any aspect of their NHS care or treatment. This includes treatment in a private hospital or care home that is funded by the NHS
- Mind - Mind provides a free and confidential service for people with mental health problems and living in the London Borough of Enfield. Please note, you will need to be referred to Mind by a mental health professional or GP
- LEAP (Local Enfield Advocacy Partnership)
Other organisations offering advice and support
- DANE (Disability Advice Network Enfield)
- Age UK
- Enfield Carers Centre
- Rethink - Mental Health
- Healthwatch Enfield
- Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
- Carers and Parents of Adults with Learning Disabilities in Enfield (CAPE)
- Wellbeing Connect Services (WCS)
- Middlesex Association for the Blind
- Community Aid
- Enfield Wellbeing Network
- Community Hubs
- All People All Places
- The Appropriate Adult Service