Age UK Sunderland Front Door Advocacy Service

Assisting older people to enable them to find their voice.

The Age UK Sunderland Advocacy Service is here to help you if:

• You need someone to help you with any problems or issues you have.
• You want someone to help you to be more involved in decisions that affect you.
• You want some help to get your voice heard.

The aim of the Advocacy Service is to ensure you:

• Feel less isolated.
• Have greater independence and control over your life.
• Have an improved and increased access to services and support.
• Have support and encouragement to exercise choice.

The Advocacy Service is designed to be easily accessible and can:

• Encourage individuals to state their own needs.
• Ensure that individuals have all the information they need to make an informed choice or decision.
• Take up an issue or complaint on behalf of someone.
• Speak on behalf of people who are not able to speak for themselves.

The Advocacy Service is a way of ensuring your voice is heard when dealing with organisations such as:

• Adult services.
• Residential homes.
• Social housing.
• Energy suppliers.

What problems does the Advocacy Service deal with?

Our advocates are independent, trustworthy and non-judgemental, and deal with all manner of problems and issues that may arise during your day to day living, for example:

• Receiving care in your own home.
• Being moved from one residential home to another.
• Accessing services from the local authority.
• Transitions in retirement.
• Contacting utility companies.
• Dealing with housing applications.

Who is it for?

The Advocacy Service is for anyone over 50 years of age. We welcome enquiries from individuals, families, relatives and friends. We also accept referrals from healthcare agencies, GP surgeries, adult services and residential homes.

Where is it available?

The Advocacy Service covers the City of Sunderland including the Washington and the Coalfields areas. Appointments are available at Age UK Sunderland’s Stockton Road office, our Essence Centre at Doxford Park, and other locations across the City.  Home visits are also available where necessary.

What to expect:

Once an enquiry is received you will be contacted by an Advocacy Coordinator who will arrange a suitable appointment.

For further information about the Advocacy Service please contact:

Advocacy Coordinator

Age UK Sunderland

24 Stockton Road

Sunderland

SR2 7AQ

Telephone: 0191 5659045

Email: advocacy@ageuksunderland.org.uk

If you would like to volunteer for our advocacy service contact us on 0191 514 1131 or email us volunteering@ageuksunderland.org.uk