Who is this Service for?

This Service aims to provide advocacy for older people aged 65 and over who have a mental health condition. This may be some form of dementia or may be a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, psychosis or neurosis. It is also expected that the older person would have no effective friends or relatives to support them and are unable to speak up for themselves.

The Advocate will work alongside the older person providing them with information, support and representation on specific issues and concerns that are affecting their lives. The aim of this service is to empower and enable the older person at vulnerable times in their lives and to promote their independence. Consequently we do not tend to provide long-term advocacy relationships

Referrals will be considered for older people living in the community, in care homes or in hospital, who live in the Cheshire area and who it is believed will benefit from the service.

How do I make a referral?

Referrals to this Service can come through a variety of routes including telephone, face-to-face, letter, email or by downloading a referral form and posting or faxing it to:

The Advocacy Manager
Age Concern Cheshire
314 Chester Road, Hartford
Northwich, CW8 2AB

Tel: 01606 881660
Fax: 01606 881667
Email: admin@ageconcerncheshire.org.uk

After an initial visit and assessment the older person will be matched either with a volunteer or a paid advocate. Care will be taken to ensure that the skills and personality of the advocate best match the needs of the older person concerned.