Background
Our Voice was set up in April 1999 to empower people with disabilities in Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, by providing an Advocacy service.
Advocacy can be described as the process of identifying and representing a person’s views and concerns in order to secure enhanced rights and entitlements. Put more positively, Advocacy is rooted in a unique relationship between the Advocate and the person (Service User) whom they support, and uses the tools of representation and negotiation to bring about beneficial change in the Service User’s life.
In 2001 our plan was to expand to provide the same service in Huntingdonshire and the very under-serviced Fenlands as well as continuing our service in Papworth. By 2002 we had been successful in attracting funding to be able to set up two new projects to cover these areas.
These two projects were :- Changing Views, funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and BILD, launched to meet the needs of D/deaf people who have a disability, and Fenfair, funded by The Community Fund created to meet the needs of disabled people in the Fenlands area of Cambridgeshire.
In 2004 we successfully attracted further funding from Cambridgeshire County Council to provide1-1 advocacy cover in Cambridge City and South Cambs.
The charity’s Constitution was amended and updated in October 2004 to reflect growing demand for the type of services we wished to provide and to ensure we are able to meet the advocacy needs of people with any disability. It is our main aim to ensure that no one falls through any ‘gaps’ in service provision.
In early 2005 Our Voice staff were relocated to our current larger office space in Cambridge. An Open Day was held and attended by the Mayor of Cambridge. We also underwent some major changes during that year, including creating a new image and logo.
In April 2006 (until June 2007), Our Voice received extended funding from Cambridgeshire County Council to provide 1-1 advocacy support to our service users in Cambridgeshire. We were also successful in obtaining a three year grant from RADAR through the Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme.
We successfully acquired 5 years of funding from The Big Lottery in February 2007 to provide a 1-1 advocacy service to D/deaf people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Organisational Approach
Our Voice believes that Advocacy plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of abuse, isolation, anxiety and other factors that trigger mental health problems. We also recognise that there is a need for a professional, independent and confidential Advocacy service within Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties.
Everyone has the freedom of choice, which should be recognised and respected. Our Voice is able to do this by providing much needed support to a wider range of clients. With plenty to offer, the organisation is able to ensure that clients have a visible presence in the community and play a positive role in society.
The principle of being an independent organisation is vital. Anyone requiring advocacy support needs to feel they can trust their Advocate. They may be sensitive about any links that they believe exist between an Advocate and other people or organisations. Also, staff, Advocates and volunteers involved in a project should not feel that there are limits on their practice.