13 Dementia Advocacy Services [Update 1 - 31.10.13]

Like most public services and professional organisations, the National Health Service (NHS) has a complaints system.  A later post will describe the twists and turns of complaints systems generally, including the NHS complaints system: whereas this post might meet a more pressing need for one of the following local independent services for advocacy on behalf of a person with dementia, a vulnerable member of the family or the care 

Although the emphasis in this post is on those with dementia, the local services may have a wider remit of support for others too.

As an example of what is available locally, there is the Invicta Advocay Network www.invicta-advocacy-network.uk a charity specialising in advocacy. Briefly the services offered include:

• Guidance and support for those with mental capacity to make decisions themselves or with     help
• Guidance and support for those without mental capacity to make their own decisions.

A similar charity in advocacy work is Advocacy Service, Age UK North West Kent.

In the UK the Dementia Advocay Network provides guidance, standards and training for individuals who wish to improve as advocates or to become dementia advocates. 

Reference: Age UK NW Kent  "Guide to Professional Advocacy".