In this post, we look at what a Volunteer Citizen Advocate does, what the responsibilities are and how you can become one.
What is a Citizen Advocate?
A Citizen Advocate is a fully-trained volunteer who is matched with an adult with a learning disability. Their aim is to make sure that person’s voice is heard and provide long term independent advocacy.
Who is Citizen Advocacy for?
An adult with a learning disability living in Leeds with:
- An ongoing advocacy issue present
- A lack of independent people in their life
What is the role of a Citizen Advocate?
- To visit and contact their match regularly e.g. every month
- To build a positive one to one relationship
- To develop strong communication with their match and come to know their values, wishes and preferences
- Identify the client’s choices and decisions, but not make or influence them
- To remain independent of services such as housing, care and support
- To remain independent of the client’s family and friends
- Provide information, sign post and support to access appropriate services
- Support the client to speak up for themselves and promote independence
Meet the Citizen Advocates
In this video, some of our Volunteer Citizen Advocates and their Advocacy Partners talk about what they do and what they get out of their roles:
Become a Citizen Advocate
To make a referral for a Citizen Advocate, please contact Caroline Webb, our Citizen Advocacy Volunteer Coordinator:
- Telephone: 07961 524819
- Email: [email protected]
To find out more about becoming a Citizen Advocate, visit our Volunteers page, email us at [email protected] or call the Advonet office on 0113 244 0606.
