Advocacy

"Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services they need. Advocates and Advocacy Schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.

Since its launch in 2002, advocacy organisations from across the  country have adopted the Advocacy Charter. In total over 75 organisations contributed to its development and many more advocacy organisations use it regularly as a tool to focus on key advocacy issues and guide their work.

Developed as a set of core principles for advocacy, the Charter is designed:

• To inform advocacy practice and training

• To raise awareness of the value of Advocacy

• As a tool for negotiating with funding and commissioning bodies

• As a quality assurance mechanism