Type of service: Advocacy (general)

The service recruits, trains and supports volunteers to be citizen advocates for adults with learning disabilities. Citizen Advocacy is a one to one relationship between a prepared and supported volunteer (advocate) and a person who may need independent representation (partner). OSCA (Oswestry and Shropshire Citizen Advocacy) Citizen Advocacy provides advocacy for adults with learning disabilities, though other organisations work with other groups (eg Age Concern provides independent advocacy for the elderly). This partnership can become a long term friendship or can last long enough to help someone over a specific issue or during a time of change, eg moving from one residence to another, coping with bereavement and finding a job etc. Citizen Advocacy can provide a link to community life for a person who may have been excluded because of disability, isolation or other reasons.

Aimed at: Adult

Specialisms: Generic, Staff and volunteers get autism awareness training

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Community care, Education, Employment, Learning disability, Mental health, Welfare benefits