Advocacy is about :

	empowerment and taking control of your situation
	speaking up for yourself and your rights, making your views heard
	having a voice in the kind of service you receive
	getting the right information and support, to be able to make choices about your treatment
	being listened to

There are several organisations in Herefordshire and beyond dedicated to helping you achieve these things.

Herefordshire Citizen Advocacy

Community House
25 Castle St
Hereford
HR1 2NW
Tel 01432 263757
Hours: 9am - 5pm Monday -Thursday

Co-ordinator (16-65) Howard Eason
Co-ordinator (Older People) Ray Danenbergs

Service Description
Herefordshire Citizen Advocacy recruits, trains volunteer advocates to partner vulnerable people on a one to one basis.

Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service (PALS)

Victoria House
Eign Street
Hereford
HR4 0AN
Tel: 01432 262023

Coordinator - Euan McPherson

Hours : 9am - 5pm Mon - Frid

Service Description
PALS offers on the spot help, advice and support to patients, relatives or carers who have concerns or misunderstandings of any kind about the care they receive from the National Health Service in Hereford.
PALS supports staff to deal with patients concerns and information requests while also providing a central co-ordinator as an option for people who want to speak to someone outside the service where they are being treated.
The service is intended to complement, not replace the complaints procedure by offering an alternative to people who want to speak to someone relatively informally, especially about a difficulty that may be resolved relatively easily or quickly.

The Community Health Council (CHC)

4/5 Chandos House
St Ethelberts St
Hereford HR1 2NR
Tel 01432 358491
hchc@zoom.co.uk

Hours: 9am - 5pm Mon-Frid

Service Description
The CHC is an independent organisation which looks after the interest of anyone using the Health Service. It is the the patient's friend and users voice They can put you in touch with local services, help you put forward your views on local health issues or help you to make a complaint about any form of NHS care. However they cannot stay involved if you choose to involve a solicitor to support your complaint.

United Kingdom Advocacy Network (UKAN)

14-18 West Bar Green
Sheffield
S1 2DA
Tel/Fax: 0114 272 8171

Service Description
This is service-user-run network of advocacy groups in the UK. It provides information and support for local groups and campaigns for improvements to mental health services. They also support Patients Councils and User Forums.

Solicitors specialising in mental health and community care law

	Luke Grant 55 Oxford St Kidderminster DY10 1BJ Tel 01562 748476 Contact: Luke Grant Service Mental Health and Community Care Law specialist.
	Thursfields 42 Foregate St Worcester WR1 1EF Tel 01905 22256 Contact: David Taylor Service Advice and Representation on all aspects of mental health law
	Thorpes 26/28 Aubrey St Hereford Tel 01432 343430 Service Advice and Representation on any aspect of mental health law
	MIND Legal Advice Line Tel: 020 8215 2299 or 020 8519 2122 and ask for legal advice