Updated 6th March 2012
ADVOCATES VIEW
If you think you might be interested in joining us as a volunteer advocate or in some other voluntary role please contact us for an informal talk.
Letters to volunteers & people interested can be found here
and here
We are a very committed and happy team.
We welcome people of all ages and from all backgrounds.
All training given is practical and designed to ensure our advocates have all the skills they need to work effectively for our "partners"
What is it like to be an Advocate?
Well we asked Ann Carrier one of our most experienced volunteer advocates to say.
"When asked by someone what an advocate is or what one does I find it difficult to answer and usually end up describing the principles that guide how I interact with my advocacy partners.
These are:
Being there just for them and acting on their wishesSpending time and really getting to know them
Enabling them to be seen as an equally dignified, responsible and important member of the community as anyone else in spite of particular vulnerabilities or needs of support
Giving confidence to partners, standing by them and if required, when particular problems or issues arise, speak up with them or for them.
I feel the key to advocacy is the relationship between the advocate and partner. You cannot stand up for someone if you do not really know them or share a great deal of trust.
It is such a privilege to be in such a positive role. It can be frustrating too. In conclusion if we as advocates can enjoy the company of our advocacy partners and begin to see life through their eyes we will care enough to stand with them and if necessary fight their corner."
And while its by no means compulsory, one of our Advocates Jon Davey showed the many qualities of our Advocates when he competed in his first ever half marathon and a tough one at that. Jon was running the Eyam event to raise money for the Grapevine Cafe and thanks to very generous family and friends he raised over £200.
Well done Jon and Good Luck in any future events.
It's rumoured that you might even have inspired Peter Dawson to run in a future event !!!!!