Peer Advocacy

The word "Peer" suggests an equality and similarity, Of course it is likely that if you are offering your services then you are feeling fairly well and if you are seeking services that you feel less well but as our balance of life becomes weighted in different ways as we travel life's path, so our offer and needs change with it.

My vision is that 1-2-1 partnerships and group partnerships will become in many cases mutually supportive friendships for the long term, but much help may be gained in shorter term arrangements also. Basically, it's really important to share what you are looking to give and what you are looking to receive. To agree to an arrangement between both parties over essentials like a minimum input, eg once a week. When you may be contacted and more importantly, when not. But if there is a rapport between people then any teething problems should be navigated successfully. Both parties can terminate the arrangement at anytime but again, if there is rapport, then kindness and good manners will be the operating system!

Likely activities will be social, help with form filling, tech and a supportive presence and maybe voice at official interviews such as medical consultations and social security interviews. Where a person has a right to be accompanied by a person of their choice then your presence ought to be tolerated, if not welcomed, but if it were insisted that you left, do so and if this was wrong, appeal it after. One last important point. As an advocate you are NOT saying what you think a person should do, though of course you can and should offer your advice in discussion but NEVER in a YOU OUGHT TO DO THIS manner, rather a "Well this is what I would do because etc, but you must make up your own mind." You are to be THEIR VOICE when they can't manage to produce their own or to AMPLIFY it when they feel repressed and oppressed. You are, of course, totally FREE to REFUSE to advocate a course for and on behalf of someone if such a course is against the law or against your deeply held conscientious convictions.

Join this group or get in touch if you are interested in having a Peer Advocate or in being a Peer Advocate.