WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. FRONT COVER Image: partners in advocacy logo Citizen Advocacy Image: a character in a blue shirt leading a character in a red shirt through a maze. PAGE TWO What is a Citizen Advocate? • A citizen advocate is a member of the public who volunteers to support someone to speak up for themselves. • Someone who is a good listener and good at communicating with different people and in different ways. • Someone who has a couple of hours to spare about once a fortnight. • Partners in Advocacy staff recruit, train and give ongoing support to citizen advocates, and match them carefully. Could a Citizen Advocate support you? Yes if… • Other people do not always listen to you. • You want support to make changes in your life. • You find it hard to speak at meetings. • You want help to find information and understand what your choices are. • You want to get to know more people and be more involved in your community. PAGE THREE What do Citizen Advocacy partnerships do? • Meet at a time and place that suits both people. • Spend time getting to know each other and understanding what needs to be done. • The citizen advocate can help with writing letters, making phone calls, attending meetings or speaking to others. • The people in an advocacy partnership can also socialise and get to know new people. Do you need a citizen advocate? Do you want to become a citizen advocate? Then contact the person whose name is on the back of this leaflet. Image: character in a red shirt BACK PAGE Partners in Advocacy Partners in Advocacy provides advocacy in Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, Dundee, Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. Advocacy may be long-term citizen advocacy, short-term issue-based advocacy, or self-advocacy groups. Some advocacy is for adults who use learning disability services and some is for children and young people with additional support needs and mental health problems. For details of which kinds of advocacy are available in your area, contact one of the numbers below. Some of our advocates are paid and some are volunteers. We welcome volunteers to become involved in our work, as advocates or supporting us in other ways. Image: character in a blue shirt holding a card containing the following contact information: Edinburgh&Lothians 0131 478 7723 Glasgow&EastRenfrewshire 0141 847 0660 Dundee 01382 305715 ...........Advocacy is free and confidential........................ Image: partners in advocacy logo Please call Unit 17, John Cotton Business Centre, 10 Sunnyside, Edinburgh EH7 5RA 0131 478 7723 • admin@partnersinadvocacy.org.uk • www.partnersinadvocacy.org.uk Registered Company No. 185467 Scottish Charity No. SCO2785