Do you need someone to help you with any problems or issues you have?

Do you wish to be more involved in decisions that affect you?

Do you want some help to get your voice heard?


The Age Concern Sunderland Advocacy Service is here to help you!


Accessing Advocacy Service

The Advocacy Service is designed to be easily accessible.

This 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.

Once an enquiry is received, an appointment to visit the individual at their home or a place of their choosing will be made, during which further information is taken and a plan of action discussed.


Aims of Advocacy Service

To ensure each individual:

   feels less isolated
   has greater independence and control over their life
   has an improved and increased access to services and support
   has support and encouragement to exercise choice

Advocacy is
   encouraging individuals to state their own needs
   ensuring that individual’s have all the information they need to make an informed choice or decision
   taking up an issue or complaint on behalf of someone
   speaking on behalf of people who are not able to speak for themselves

Advocacy is NOT a complicated process involving lawyers. Advocacy IS a way of ensuring your voice is heard, when dealing with organisations such as:

   Adult Services
   Residential Homes
   Heath Services
   Local Government

What problems do the advocates deal with?

Our advocates are independent, trustworthy and non-judgmental, 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

Our staff and volunteers will provide you with all the help, support and encouragement necessary to assist you in dealing with the problem efficiently and effectively.

All information provided to the advocate is treated with the utmost confidentiality.

For further information or assistance please contact:
Postal Address:

Advocacy Co-ordinator

Age Concern Sunderland
Bradbury Centre
Stockton Road
Sunderland
SR2 7AQ
Telephone: 0191 514 1131
Fax: 0191 567 0378
Email: advocacy@acsunderland.org.uk

The co-ordinator can usually be found in the office between 9am –5pm Monday to Friday. If the co-ordinator is not available, please leave a message including your name and contact details.
Registered Charity No. 1086995
Limited Company, Registered in England, No 4199499

Copyright © 2007 Age Concern, Sunderland