Warwick Courier Feature
The Warwick Courier recently ran an article on Independent Advocacy. Please follow the link below to read the full article:
www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/local
Published 17/1/2012
Jeremy Wright MP visits Independent Advocacy
Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright believes a Stoneleigh-based organisation could help to protect people in care homes from being abused.
Independent Advocacy, a county-wide independent charity based at Stoneleigh Park, is running a Town Trust funded trial in Stratford, where advocates go into various care homes to work confidentially with residents and pick up on any concerns which they are reluctant to raise directly with the staff.
Mr Wright, said: “This is an excellent scheme. People are looking for ways to act which will prevent abuse in care homes and, if this project is successful, it could be a scheme which could be run out across the county, and indeed the country, funded by the homes themselves.”
He added that Independent Advocacy was also doing very valuable work with dementia sufferers and those with physical and learning disabilities and mental illness.
“There is huge value added by this organisation, its employees and volunteers in assisting those with little voice of their own, and who may be amongst the most vulnerable in our society, to put their case and secure the help they need,”
Mr Wright recently visited Independent Advocacy’s headquarters where he met some of the volunteers and staff who help people in times of distress, financial hardship, poor health or infirmity with matters as diverse as debt resolution, support with benefit applications and tribunals, care and treatment issues and access to services.
Published 17/1/2012
Independent Advocacy says farewell to Shane
Shane Feeney, a 2nd year Community and Social Studies student at Coventry University has finished the placement he was undertaking with Independent Advocacy. Shane said “I want to thank everyone at Independent Advocacy for making me feel so welcome when I started. I have really enjoyed working with the team and it has given me a greater insight into the important work that Independent Advocacy do. I have learned a lot during my placement, and hope that my work has been valuable to the organisation too. I can thoroughly recommend volunteering with Independent Advocacy because they are a great group of people to work with and they really value their volunteers. ” During his time with the organisation Shane worked within the development team working on various projects and attended volunteer recruitment events.
Published 12/12/2011
Vacancy for Sessional Advocates
We are looking for individuals who can work on a sessional basis to work from our base at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
A working knowledge of advocacy and person centred planning within learning disability is preferred.
£13 per hr. Including travel.
Car essential.
For application forms and job description please email mike.lee@independentadvocacy.org
www.independentadvocacy.org.uk
Published 1/12/2011
Staff and Volunteers Attend Visual Awareness Training
A number of staff and volunteers yesterday attended visual awareness training organised by Warwickshire Association for the Blind. The training covered the different types of sight loss and the different issues people have; communication with people who have a visual impairment and services available for people with visual impairments. The training will help those who attended become more aware of issues their clients with sight impairments come across on a day to day basis and how best to provide support.
Published 29/11/2011
Independent Advocacy Attends Coventry University Volunteer Fair
Independent Advocacy had an information stall at a Volunteering Fair for Forensic Investigation and Criminology students at Coventry University on Monday 14th November, The fair took place at the university’s brand new Hub building from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Approximately 350 students attended the event and were given information about the work the organisation does and possible volunteering opportunities at Independent Advocacy.
Feedback from the event was positive with many students taking a keen interest in the work that Independent Advocacy undertakes and expressing an interest in volunteering with us also.
Published 16/11/2011
Independent Advocacy AGM
Independent Advocacy held their annual general meeting on 31st October. It was attended by over 40 people. Proceedings started with the appointee team presenting a number of entertaining but informative sketches on the different types of services they can offer; including block contract, safeguarding, spot purchase, self funding appointee and other services.
After a short coffee break the general meeting started with the Chair person, Janis Cauthery welcoming everyone to the event. The minutes of the 2010 meeting were approved as accurate and there were no matters arising from the minutes.
Richard Collins, Treasurer, gave a concise presentation of the annual accounts 2010-2011, which was then followed by the Chair presenting the annual report for 2010-2011 and introducing the new members of staff who have started this year. This was followed by the election and re-election of board members. Fox Evans Ltd were then proposed and subsequently appointed as the new auditors of Independent Advocacy before proceedings were brought to a close.
Published 15/11/2011
Quotes from our clients
"We have been very grateful are indebted to the wonderful service that you have provided to both myself and the person that I care for"
"Your advocate has spent an enormous amount of time on this case alone due to its sheer complexities."
"We can not possibly ever thank your advocate enough"
Published 14/11/2011
Trustee Vacancy
INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY
STONELEIGH PARK
Nr. KENILWORTH WARWICKSHIRE
CV8 2LG
Registered Charity Number: 1082961
Company Number: 3942462
WE WISH TO APPOINT A VOLUNTEER TRUSTEE WITH A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF 3RD SECTOR CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND OR WITH MARKETING EXPERIENCE TO JOIN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MEETINGS ARE BI MONTHLY
MONDAYS AT 5.00PM.
OUR SERVICE PROVIDES GENERAL
COMMUNITY, HOSPITAL AND
STATUTORY MENTAL HEALTH
ADVOCACY SERVICES ALONG WITH
ADVOCACY FOR OLDER AGE GROUP
THOSE WITH LEARNING OR PHYSICAL
DISABILITIES PLUS AN APPOINTEE
SERVICE FOR THOSE AT RISK
PLEASE
CONTACT CHRIS BRATCHIE C.E.O.
FOR INITIAL DISCUSSION
Tel. 02476697443 Ext. 223 or
Chris.bratchie@independentadvocacy.org
Web page: www.independentadvocacy.org
Published 3/11/2011
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Fiona Garrigan on gaining her level one safeguarding certificate. Well done Fiona!
Published 17/10/2011
Thanks from Stratford College
A big thank you from myself and the thirty year one students on the Society Health and Development Course at Stratford College for giving up your time this morning to share an insight into the work of Independent Advocacy.
The presentation was excellent and really brought the subject the students are studying (Partnership Working) to life! It really did underpin all of the content taught so far. It enabled the students to question and analyze how a non statutory organization works in partnership with others to offer an effective and proactive service in meeting the needs of those most vulnerable, through guidance, understanding and support.
As part of their assignment they will be completing a report on their findings and research; so this day has been of tremendous value to them.
You will be receiving personal letters of thanks from all of the students in due course, but in the interim I would just like to thank you again Neil for your time and expert delivery.
Best Regards,
Carol Draper CARE TRAINING MANAGEMENT STRATFORD COLLEGE
Published 17/10/2011
New Carers Advocate joins the Learning Disabilities Team.
Independent Advocacy welcomes Corinne Walcott as the new Carers Advocate in the Learning Disability Team. Corinne has 12 years of caring experience, both professionally and as an informal carer. She has previously worked with older people in a residential setting and supporting people with learning difficulties.
In her short time at Independent Advocacy, Corinne has said the best thing about her job is knowing that she can empower people to have a voice and says it is important that carers get their voices heard. She also supports carers at meetings and appointments and signposts them to other services.
Corinne can be contacted on 024 7669 7443 Ext. 232 or by e-mail at corinne.walcott@independentadvocacy.org
Although Corinne works Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, messages can be left and urgent matters attended to, as flexible working is possible.
Published 5/10/2011
Volunteering fair at Coventry University
Coventry University held a Volunteering Fair at the student union on 29th September for new students to get information on volunteering opportunities in the local area. Volunteer Co-ordinator, Shirley Morris and Development Team volunteer Shane Feeney ran The Independent Advocacy information stall. There was plenty of interest on the day and the stall attracted many enthusiastic potential volunteers.
Published 5/10/2011
Open day at Overslade House, Rugby.
Julie Earls, the appointee team manager at Independent Advocacy, ran a joint information stall with Moore and Tibbits solicitors at an open day event organised by Barchester care group at Overslade House, Rugby. Other organisations with information stalls included the Parkinson’s Society and funeral directors. The event was organised for families of residents and potential residents.
Published 5/10/2011
Just a couple of recent comments from our clients.
“Your support has been exceptional ….….”
“………. Advocacy people are nothing short of marvellous”
Published 5/10/2011
Independent Advocacy scores 100%
Coventry PCT recently conducted their annual monitoring of our Mental Health Advocacy contract.
In their letter they say:
“We are pleased to tell you that Independent Advocacy scored 100% on this occasion. This is excellent news, and we would like to thank the team, for ongoing co-operation, in ensuring that standards are ever improving.”
This is indeed excellent news and thanks goes to everyone in helping to achieve this superb result. Well done!
Published 18/8/2011
Research/Advocacy in Stratford Town
Independent Advocacy has been established for over twenty years providing advocacy support throughout the county of Warwickshire. To build upon our ongoing presence in Stratford a new and innovative project is now being researched and piloted, supported by Stratford Town Trust.
The intention is that older vulnerable people in residential and sheltered housing in Stratford town will have easy access to an advocacy service. A professional advocate will explore the need for advocacy within this group of people who often feel quite isolated and lonely.
Along with volunteer support the advocate will work closely in conjunction with residents to support individuals with issues of concern by enabling them to speak out, whilst representing their views and wishes where appropriate. The direction of this six month project will be monitored closely along with an assessment of the ongoing need for this vulnerable group of people.
Published 4/7/2011
New site sections
We've just updated our website to include the new Connecting Carers forum. Please sign up and get involved in the discussions. We've also added a new 'signposting / Useful links' section which can be found under 'Connecting Carers'.
Published 18/5/2011
ISO 14001 Environmental Award
Following an assessment by an independent organisation Independent Advocacy has been successful in achieving ISO 14001 Certification. This Internationally recognised prestigious award for Environmental standards is used as a benchmark worldwide.
The award recognises Independent Advocacy’s commitment to reducing the impact it has on the environment, now with the award of ISO 14001, this has been confirmed by outside experts who are used to judging services on a daily basis in a wide variety of trades and industries.
Published 16/2/2011
Independent Advocacy launches Carers forum.
As part of our continuing improvement process, Independent Advocacy has developed an online forum for the use of Carers. The forum is called “Connecting Carers” and is available for you to use, anyone who is a carer can register and become involved, have a chat with other Carers, ask a question, give someone the benefit of your experience.
Published 14/12/2010
Brokerage
Independent Advocacy now supplies a 'Brokerage' service for Coventry City Council. Brokerage is part of the "Self directed support process".
Published 25/11/2010
ISO 9001
Independent Advocacy are pleased to announce that we have just successfully completed our first external audit, conducted by an Independent Certified Audit Company. This ensures that the organisation continues to meet the strict guidelines required to maintain this prestigious award.
Published 25/11/2010