Advocacy West Lancs runs various projects based in and around the community of West Lancashire. All projects strive to enhance the quality of life of individuals through the development of self-advocacy skills. Individuals are enabled to have more control and involvement in their own lives. In addition, the organisation seeks to increase societies understanding of traditionally dis-empowered and marginalized groups of people.

Projects Of Advocacy West Lancs Include:

Citizens Advocacy

A support service for learning disabled adults that recruit, trains, and supports volunteer citizen advocates. Long-term relationships between advocacy partners are encouraged though not mandatory. Works along side local statutory agencies to implement advocacy as mandated by the Valuing People White Paper.

Generic Short Term Advocacy

Advocates work with people on an individual basis, helping people sort out any difficulties they may be having with Health or Social Services. The work is usually issue based and short term.

People Power Mental Health

A hospital based mental health advocacy service available to both in-patients and out patients with mental health difficulties, ensuring that patients' voices are heard and their views are respected. Close working relationships with the inpatient ward staff assures user involvement in Ward Meetings and policy decisions.

Dementia Pilot

A new project with the aims of working with those in both early and advanced stages of dementia. Community education about early identification, self-advocacy groups and experiential learning by advocates on how to communicate and act for those in the later stages of the disease.

Mental Health Service User Involvement

Service user involvement is now a mandated, fundamental part of health and social services. This support service for service users provides practical help, training, and empowerment to ensure that the dialogue between people who use mental health services and their service providers is meaningful.

Let's Have Coffee

This is a mental health promotion and social inclusion project. Providing a meeting place and beverages for people who use or have used mental health services or learning disabled services. The space provided is often the only non-medical or statutory arena service users may have to socialize or meet.