Advocacy – Empowering Voices, Protecting Rights (Mental Health Awareness Week: 12th – 18th May 2025)
- mhmadmin
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Mental Health Awareness Week (12th – 18th May 2025) is a time to reflect on how we support those facing mental health challenges. At MHM Wales, advocacy is at the heart of everything we do. Our advocacy services ensure that individuals are heard, their rights are protected, and they are empowered to make informed decisions.
Advocacy is about more than just providing support – it is about standing alongside individuals, helping them understand their options, and making sure their voices are respected.
What Is Advocacy?
Advocacy is the process of supporting someone to ensure their voice is heard, their rights are respected, and they are empowered to make informed decisions. This can be especially important for individuals who may struggle to have their voices heard, such as those experiencing mental health challenges.
Types of Advocacy We Provide:
Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA): Empowering individuals to have their views and wishes heard, particularly in health and social care settings.
Community Advocacy: Supporting individuals in navigating local services, accessing support, and resolving issues affecting their wellbeing.
Dementia Advocacy: Ensuring individuals living with dementia can express their preferences, access services, and maintain their dignity.
The Power of Advocacy – Why It Matters
Advocacy is not just a service – it is a lifeline. For individuals facing mental health challenges, navigating complex systems like healthcare, social services, or housing can be overwhelming. Advocacy provides a trusted ally who can:
Amplify Their Voice: Advocates ensure individuals are heard, even when they cannot speak for themselves.
Protect Their Rights: Advocates help individuals understand their rights and challenge decisions that are unfair.
Empower Decision-Making: Individuals are supported to make their own choices, with clear, unbiased information.
Build Confidence: Knowing they have someone on their side gives individuals the confidence to speak up.
Client Profile: Real Advocacy in Action
Client Profile: Supporting a Carer Facing Overwhelming Responsibilities
A woman aged between 56 and 60 was referred to Bridgend Independent Professional Advocacy (IPA) by a third-sector organisation. She is the primary carer for both her disabled adult son and her husband, who had recently returned home after a lengthy hospital stay.
Background
The client explained that her needs and her caring responsibilities had not been adequately considered as part of her husband’s hospital discharge planning. She felt that professionals had not listened to her, and she had been given no opportunity to voice her concerns.
Her own physical and emotional well-being began to deteriorate.
She missed medical appointments and feared admitting she was struggling.
She was afraid that asking for help might result in her son being removed from her care.
Advocacy Actions Taken
The IPA advocate arranged a home visit to fully understand the client’s situation.
The advocate listened, giving the client space to express her concerns.
A Care and Support Needs Assessment and a Carer’s Assessment were arranged, ensuring the client’s rights were recognised under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
Immediate support was provided to help the client attend a missed medical appointment.
The client was referred for an Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment to address accessibility issues in the home.
She was signposted to carers’ services offering emotional support and respite.
Outcomes
As a result of advocacy intervention:
The client received both an OT and Carer’s Assessment, recognising her right to support.
She was awarded a Physical Disability Grant (PDG) to adapt the family bathroom, making it safer.
With support in place, she was able to attend her medical appointments.
Her mental well-being improved significantly, and she felt more in control.
She regained time for herself, resumed activities she enjoyed, and felt healthier.
Legislative Alignment and Reflective Analysis
This case highlights the importance of advocacy within the framework of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which emphasises the right of individuals to voice, choice, and control.
How the Advocacy Intervention Aligned with Legislation:
The client was empowered to express her views and participate in her own care planning.
Her right to a Carer’s Assessment and support was upheld.
The advocate ensured that her voice was heard by health and social care professionals.
Reflective Analysis – The Impact of Advocacy
This case demonstrates the essential role of independent advocacy in supporting carers who are often overlooked.
It shows that carers must be seen as individuals in their own right, not just in relation to those they care for.
Advocacy provided a vital bridge between the client and professionals, ensuring her concerns were heard and acted upon.
It highlights how collaborative working between IPA services, health, social care, and third-sector providers can create better outcomes for carers.
Supporting Legislation:
Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014: Empowering individuals with voice, choice, and control.
Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: Promoting sustainable, collaborative approaches that support long-term well-being.
How Our Advocacy Services Reflect Community
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we celebrate the theme of “Community.” Our advocacy services are a vital part of creating communities that care, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and respected.
How Our Advocacy Builds Community:
Empowering Individuals: People are supported to speak up for themselves and make informed decisions.
Protecting Rights: Our advocates ensure that individuals are treated fairly and with dignity.
Reducing Isolation: Individuals know they are not alone – they have someone on their side.
Promoting Understanding: Our advocates help families, carers, and professionals understand individual preferences and rights.
Get Involved – Support Advocacy This Mental Health Awareness Week
Advocacy is about standing up for others, but you can also help by standing with us.
Ways to Support Advocacy:
💚 Share this blog to raise awareness about the importance of advocacy.
💬 Become an MHM Wales Ambassador – help us spread the word.
🤝 Volunteer as a Peer Advocate – receive training and make a direct impact.
💼 Become a Corporate Partner – support advocacy initiatives in your community.
Contact Details:
🌐 Website: www.mhmwales.org.uk
📧 Email: info@mhmwales.org.uk
📞 Phone: 01656 651450
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