What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is supporting people to assert their rights, to have their voice heard, to achieve things they need and represent their interests.

Advocacy can influence change in individuals, decision makers, organization and policy.

Types of Advocacy

• Professional Advocacy is often described as the ‘case-work’ model. It is provided by skilled advocates with short, medium or long-term involvement.  This can also include crisis advocacy.

• Self-Advocacy is the process by which people are empowered to express their own views.

• Crisis Advocacy is the process by which an urgent or immediate problem is managed.

• Group Advocacy is often focused on a particular issue or interest, and can be part of a larger advocacy model including self-advocacy.

• Peer Advocacy is the way in which people advocate for others based on a same or similar experience. Peer advocates are an important part of supporting group and self-advocacy models.

What can an Advocate do?

• Represent the interests and needs of others by telephone,  by paperwork, in meetings and hearings.

• Facilitate discussions, arrange meetings and set agendas.

• Challenge policy and promote better practice and policy development.

• Facilitate the resolution of disputes and conflict.

• Mobilize situations which have reached an impasse. 

 Advocacy & Mediation Consultants Ltd  provides professional advocacy by representing the interests of individuals, groups and organizations.  We also provide training in advocacy skills and methods for all models of advocacy.