Advocacy:

In 2011 Age UK Wigan Borough were successful in gaining five years funding to provide an Advocacy Service, 'Help to be Heard', through the Reaching Communities Programme, part of the Big Lottery.

The Advocacy Service is there to help people by listening to them and ensuring their thoughts and wishes are heard and they are treated with the same respect, dignity and consideration all members of society should expect.

The service will not give advice but will support people by providing as much information as possible to allow them to make more informed choices and decisions, empowering them to ensure their rights are upheld and their needs are met or to signpost to more appropriate service providers where necessary.

It will also offer support by challenging decisions on various issues such as:
Housing, health care, employment, debt / bills, appeals and care provision.

The service will help by:

• Ensuring your views and wishes are accurately expressed.
• Challenging decisions / outcomes which you do not feel to be fair.
• Attending meetings where you feel you need support.

The service is free of charge and available to anyone over sixty residing in the Wigan and Leigh area. It can be accessed through Age UK Wigan Borough Starting Point Service, by self referral or through a representative i.e. family member, friend, care provider, social worker or other organisation.

Initial contact should be made within ten working days of receiving the referral.

For further information concerning the “Help to be Heard” Advocacy Service contact our Advocacy Co-ordinator or Advocacy Worker on: 01942 241 972

Or to make a referral contact Starting Point Age UK Wigan Borough on 01942 826 079
Available Monday to Friday    10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

( Answer machine facility available at all other times )