Free health and care advocacy service launched by VoiceAbility

Voice and rights charity VoiceAbility has launched a free advocacy service to support people in Arran and North Ayrshire with their health, care and wellbeing decisions.

VoiceAbility, an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services, has entered into a new contract with North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership to provide support for residents.

Emily Johnston, VoiceAbility’s operations manager for Scotland, said: “VoiceAbility is passionate about supporting people to be heard when it matters most. We’re really pleased to be working with the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, North Ayrshire Council and support networks across the area to reach as many people who need our services as possible.”

Advocates are independent professionals assigned by VoiceAbility to help people navigate health and care decisions, including how to communicate their views and wishes and understand their rights. They can also support people through challenging situations like how to register a complaint about NHS care or make choices with things like Mental Health Act tribunals.

Advocates do not work for the council, the NHS or care providers and all information is kept confidential.

The new service is in addition to the Scotland-wide advocacy service run by the charity, which has been supporting disabled people across the country to access benefits since 2022. Adults on Arran and across North Ayrshire can request advocacy support for themselves, a friend or a family member.

Caroline Cameron, director of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), said: “We are delighted to begin this new partnership with VoiceAbility which will allow North Ayrshire residents to have their voices heard and views understood when it comes to important decisions about their health, care and wellbeing.

“The HSCP is committed to ensuring people in our communities are able to express their needs, make informed decisions and have their rights and interests protected, and offering a high-quality, independent advocacy service plays a crucial role in this.”

VoiceAbility can be contacted for free on 0300 303 1660 or online at voiceability.org/ northayrshire.

Photograph: VoiceAbility. Emily Cumming, Isobelle Wood, Amy Kingston and Susan Wilson are among the VoiceAbility advocates who will be providing an independent advocacy service in North Ayrshire and Arran.