Advocacy

I have got so much from being part of my self advocacy group. I feel like I am making a difference and I have made some friends along the way.

Self Advocate

We are passionate about providing advocacy with a focus on empowering and enabling people to speak up and live the lives they choose. We have a team of highly experienced advocates who provide one-to-one advocacy and a support self-advocacy group who influence and improve local services through active membership of the Brighton and Hove Autism Partnership Board.

Brighton and Hove (issue-based advocacy)

We provide one-to-one issue-based advocacy in Brighton and Hove for adults who are autistic and/or have physical or sensory impairments (including Acquired Brain Injury). We also support a self-advocacy group for autistic adults who live in Brighton and Hove.

Parents Voice Advocacy Service

We provide advocacy for parents with a learning disability living in West Sussex who are in, or at risk of being in Childcare proceedings.

Money First Advocacy Service

We provide advocacy to anyone 18 + with disabilities living in West Sussex. We take referrals for people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury, a physical or sensory impairment and autistic people.

How to access our advocacy:

Please click here to access the referral form for both of the above advocacy services. You can use this form to refer yourself, or someone who you know personally or professionally for advocacy. If you would like support to complete the form please call 01903 730044 or contact advocacy@impact-initiatives.org.uk.

WE'RE HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK TO US FOR ANY REASON.

ABOUT ADVOCACY

Our Advocates ensure that some of the most vulnerable people get the support they need. They ensure the client leads the way through the issues they are dealing with by actively listening so that they can understand the client’s situation and point of view.

Advocacy support ensures that people get the right support and can stop them from reaching a point of crisis.

The Self-Advocacy groups mainly meet monthly, with some also having weekly meetings with their group’s Supporter to plan activities and work on campaigns.

The Brighton and Hove autism self-advocacy group will support members to influence the improvement of local services as well as take part in the group’s own campaigns and work.

Money First Advocacy Service

This new county wide service is available to anyone 18 + with disabilities living in West Sussex. We can take referrals for people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury, a physical or sensory impairment and autistic people.

The new service will offer 1:1 advocacy support on a short-term basis around anything ‘Money’ related. This could include, but is not limited to:

Budgeting
Debt
Fuel poverty
Cost of living concerns
Housing arrears
Social care financial concerns or debt
Benefits – applying for, or challenging the outcome

Advocates can help a person understand their rights and be clear on their options, but they won’t give financial advice. If you would like to discuss the service further, please call the Advocacy office on 01903 730044.

Parents Voice Advocacy Service

The Impact Advocacy Service supports parents with a learning disability at risk of, or in Child Protection Proceedings across West Sussex.

We give parents the 1-2-1 time they need to navigate the process and support to participate fully in the proceedings.

We can support parents with:

To understand Local Authority concerns and voice their own views.
At meetings with professionals: Core Group, CIN, CLA, conference, solicitor meetings etc.
To go through and respond to documents and court bundles at their own pace.
In court: when they give evidence and to understand the court process.
To research and engage with services to support them and their family.

To be eligible, a parent will have a learning disability.

Our service is person centred and our goal is to ensure that parents with a learning disability are able to fully participate in and understand the Child Protection process.

For referral forms, to discuss potential referrals, or just to find out more, please call the Advocacy office on 01903 730044.

We get ideas and do campaigning together. We meet different people with similar problems and get our voices out in public.

Monica, Self-Advocate

You have kept me sane in some very dark times. In the last few years I have found the direct payment process isolating and overwhelming. Just having someone in my corner who knows the system, a safe space to think through my options has helped greatly.

Jonathan, Advocacy Partner

The Advocate opened doors to start sorting out the problem and it shared a lot of the pressure that my client felt. Thank you.

Ameera, Social Worker

My Advocate was very very caring and listened, not just with ears, but really understood how I was struggling. She adapted and was so brilliant with her ideas on tackling this situation. I felt safe and much better after exploring everything. Your service is outstanding. Thank you.

Jeff, Advocacy Partner

MEET LESLEY

Lesley brings her skills and expertise gained over 12 years to the management and development of Impacts Advocacy services. Supported by the staff team she always ensures that the focus is on the individual and that quality services are delivered within the Advocacy Charter. Lesley also led the work to achieve the Advocacy Quality Mark.

If you would like to get in touch please feel free to use the contact form, give us call on 01903 730044 or email us at advocacy@impact-initiatives.org.uk