Why I Became an Advocate

“I didn’t need special skills. I just needed to care — and to be there.”

I stumbled across Citizen Advocacy almost by accident. I was at a community event, chatting with someone at a stall, and I asked, “So what exactly is citizen advocacy?” I didn’t know it then, but that simple question would change my life.

At the time, I was looking for a way to give back — not in a big, dramatic way. Just something meaningful. I’d volunteered before, done bits and pieces here and there, but nothing ever stuck. Then I learned that citizen advocacy wasn’t about “doing” for someone — it was about being with someone.

That really landed with me.

Not long after, I was matched with a person who has an intellectual disability. I won’t share their name here, but I’ll say this: getting to know them has been one of the most grounding and rewarding things I’ve done.

Our relationship didn’t start with a big “cause” or crisis. It started with cups of tea. Walks around the block. Listening. Being consistent. Showing up. Over time, they began to open up — and I realised how many times they’d been let down by systems and people who were supposed to support them.

There have been moments where I’ve spoken up on their behalf, sure — but more often than not, I’m just walking beside them as they speak up for themselves.

We’ve now been matched for over a year. We laugh a lot. We’ve had hard conversations. I’ve learned just as much from them as they’ve ever learned from me.

I didn’t become an advocate because I had all the answers — I became one because I believed that no one should have to face the world alone.

And I stay an advocate because that’s still true.

🔗 Interested in becoming an advocate too? Find out more here →