News
Are you being heard? by Rosalind Spence
12/03/2010 08:36:00
Not listening
At Advocacy Orkney, we meet many people who say this, they are trying
to get their point of view across but they feel others just aren't
listening. This could be because of disability, age (young or old),
unemployment, drug or alcohol dependency, or they may be vulnerable due
to some other circumstances such as illness, dementia or dependent on
carers.
Many people feel disempowered, that means they feel they are not in
control of what is happening to them. Sometimes, folk think others are
making decisions that will affect their way of life and there is
nothing they can do about that.
Help is at hand. Advocacy Orkney provides a free service, throughout
Orkney, to people who are feeling vulnerable. You may be entitled to an
advocate who can help you feel confident enough to speak up for
yourself or who can speak on your behalf. An advocate can help with
letter writing or accompany you to meetings. We tell clients about
their rights and responsibilities. We aim to have our clients feel they
were listened to and that their views were respected.
Sometimes, during crisis, we appear to 'do' a lot for clients but we
try, when the time is right, to enable folk to take control of their
own lives. We are successful when we can close a case, end a
relationship with a client and they feel confident they gave it their
best shot.
If you would like to contact Advocacy Orkney please telephone 01856 870111.