#AdvocacyWorks by working together - Joe's story

As part of our Advocacy Awareness Week 2024 series, we're sharing examples of how #AdvocacyWorks and makes an impact on the people we support. For more information about the advocacy services we offer in Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside, visit www.yvc.org.uk/advocacy. #AAW24

Advocacy works - Joe's story

Joe has learning disabilities and mental health issues and was referred to our specialist Health and Wellbeing team for help to manage his health needs.

Our team works closely with the people we support, getting to know them and building up trust, which led to our Senior Health and Wellbeing Facilitator Karen becoming aware that Joe was very vulnerable to exploitation – Joe’s instinct was to view everyone as a friend and struggled to say no to people which caused frustration for his parents and was negatively affecting their relationship.

Karen had some concerns that his parents’ efforts to keep him safe were depriving him of his independence and was worried that Joe’s voice wasn’t being heard and that he wasn’t in control of his own life. Our advocacy team are experts in helping vulnerable people to speak up and have a say, so Karen contacted them for advice and to make a referral for Joe.

Our Advocate Denise began working with Joe, meeting with him and Karen to understand his situation and explain his rights and the help that was available to him. Denise spent lots of time with Joe, getting to know want he wanted and talking though ways he could achieve his aims.

Joe is now living in his own flat and is receiving support from our Community Connector Heather who is helping Joe to become more independent.

#AdvocacyWorks and can have an impact on all areas of a person’s life especially when we join together, see the person as a whole, and put them at the centre of our work. Our Communities and Advocacy teams provide specialist, tailored support and ensure people get the help they need when they need it.

To find out about making a referral to our communities team who provide specialist support for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, visit Learning disability & autism | yourvoicecounts (yvc.org.uk).

To make a referral to our advocacy team, visit Advocacy | yourvoicecounts (yvc.org.uk).

*Some names and details have been changed for anonymity