Advocacy and Support
Since the Advocacy Project began we have worked with many LGB/T people who for whatever reason did not feel they could speak up as for themselves as effectively as they wished. This could be due to lack of information about how systems work, or lack of confidence in dealing with organisations or people who are perceived to be in authority, such as police, social services, housing, DSS and many more. Or it could be due to feeling that they have fought long enough by themselves, and they'd like to have a friend or colleague working with them in their fight against discrimination, phobic crime, ignorance or prejudice.
We can and do help different people in different ways (not everyone is the same!). One thing we guarantee is a warm welcome to our services.
Depending on the issues and what you want, we can offer a listening ear/ signposting to different services such as Lesbian and Gay counsellors/ help and support with harassment issues/ neighbour disputes etc.
Trust and understanding
Before entering into an advocacy or support role for anyone it is vitally important for you, the client, to feel that you can trust the advocate to be on your side, and to say what you know needs to be said.
And you need to be confident that the advocate understands your situation, your needs, and the kind of outcome you feel would be satisfactory.
Therefore it is important for you and your advocate to build up a good working relationship.
We would normally arrange to meet you somewhere you can conveniently get to (within Devon and Cornwall) where you feel you can talk as you wish in a secure environment. If you want we can arrange a meeting-place ourselves, somewhere accessible and friendly.
Contact our advocacy and support service through the main helpline number:
0845 6020 818
or e-mail Andy (at) intercomtrust.org.uk.
Go on give us a call—see if we can help. If we can't we might know someone who can!