Darlington Association on Disability

Non statutory advocacy is sometime called general advocacy, means there is no legal framework that governs the role unlike IMCA, IMHA or Care Act Advocacy but it is equally important. Non statutory advocacy supports individuals whose issues full outside of the advocacy provided under specific legislation.

DAD can provides a range of general advocacy on a range of issues for disabled people, older people, people with mental health needs and carers.  We also support people who are victims of any type of Hate Crime.

More specifically DAD provide:

• Specialist Mental Health advocacy  for people who live in Darlington, have an identified mental health need and need advocacy support to get the right support and treatment in their lives.
• Advocacy for people who are victims of crime who have a mental health need.
• Advocacy for people who are victims of Hate Crime.

An advocate can support you with a specific issue and is time limited, and help ensure your voice heard and rights upheld. The advocate will develop an advocacy plan / journey with you, including what you hope to achieve and how you will be supported to have voice heard.  This might include supporting to attend meetings, make phone calls, understand information, write letter or make a complaint or challenge a decision.

Unfortunately advocacy support does not always lead to the issue being resolved in the manner that you wish, but an advocate will be your partner along the journey and help ensure your views and wishes are listened to, help you understand information and support you to consider your options are.