Mar 15 2008

Stories of CA

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We can talk at length about what Citizen Advocacy is, but really it is the stories from people themselves who have been involved in our programme that will give you a sense of what we are about. Here are some stories to read. You can also watch some videos about friendships that have formed through Citizen Advocacy – look in the links on the left.

Liz and Linda

Hi. I became involved with CA when someone needed an advocate urgently for what was thought to be for a short time only. I have now been an advocate and friend for Linda for seven years.

Since our first meeting I have been involved in her life in many different ways, for example going to social events, going with her to medical appointments, making a complaint to police about her neighbours and helping her to move house.

Over the years there have been a wide range of issues and problems that she has asked for or I have offered my assistance to help her with.

As an advocate, I have become very aware of how some people treat other people who look a little different. People can be thoughtless and insensitive towards others and an advocate can help to reduce that happening.

Linda says that having an advocate means that it gives more weight when trying to express herself in any situation and that others will give her more respect. That means she feels people are more likely to believe what she is saying when she is with me. When on her own she says she is often ripped off especially when dealing with trades people or when paying for a service. I have certainly noticed that trades people tend to do a poorer job for her and sometimes charge her more than what the work is worth.

I enjoy being an advocate and know that the help I give Linda is appreciated. It would be really good if all the people on the CA waiting list could be given advocates within the next few months as some of them have been waiting for a long time.

Being an advocate doesn’t have to take up much time as sometimes it’s just about making a phone call to check how the person is getting on. Being an advocate does make a difference in someone’s life.”

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