Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes, and help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called your advocate.
Advocates support any patients, service users, residents, their family, carer or representative with a complaint or grievance related to any aspect of healthcare as described in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, including that which falls under the remit of the Health Service Ombudsman, such as complaints about poor treatment or service provided through health services in England.
Healthwatch Manchester do not provide any advocacy services to Manchester residents. We do however signpost citizens to the appropriate provider. Both VoiceAbility and Coram Voice provide an advocacy service and their details are as follows:
VoiceAbility (18+)
- Email: helpline@voiceability.org
- Website: voiceability.org
- Tel: 0300 303 1660
Coram Voice (25 and below)
- Email: help@coramvoice.org.uk
- Website: www.coramvoice.org.uk
- Tel: 0808 800 5792
Healthwatch England and the Citizens Advice have also produced some resources available here.
