NHS Dumfries & Galloway

What is Advocacy?

Independent Advocacy is about empowering people who are involved in using or receiving services. An Independent Advocate will express your views, wishes and feelings. They are as free from conflict of interest as possible and work separately from other services; their actions are not influenced by the views of service providers.  They follow the Code of Conduct and Principles, Standards and Codes of Best Practice as published by the (SIAA) Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance.

Independent Advocates strive at all times to stand by the client and minimise conflict of interest. Independent Advocacy is often most relevant where a conflict of interest has arisen in the management of a person’s care and treatment, and the advocate can ensure that the client’s voice is expressed without compromise. An advocate works on a one to one basis with the client to find solutions to their issues and help them to understand the options that are available to them, while protecting their rights and ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity. 

Types of Independent Advocacy available in Dumfries and Galloway

Professional Advocacy – Where paid or volunteer staff work with someone on a short term issue, or issues, helping them to get their views across.

Group or Collective Advocacy – Support is offered to allow a group of people to come together and gain strength from a collective voice.

Local Advocacy Services

 Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service, Hestan House, Crichton Business Park, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4TA You can self refer online via the online referral form or download and complete DGAS Referral Form 2023 Telephone 01387 247237.  Email info@dgadvocacy.co.uk    

Leaflets:  
DGAS General Poster
DGAS Easy Read Booklet
DGAS Easy Read Poster
DGAS General Leaflet
DGAS Guardianship leaflet
DGAS Volunteer Poster

This service delivers Professional One to One Advocacy and Collective Advocacy for adults aged 18 and over. They support adults in terms of the Mental Health (Care & Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 and adult residents who require help to understand the options open to them, to enable them to make informed choices and/or to make their own views known.  For more information on what issues they can help with go to their website at www.dgadvocacy.co.uk

User and Carer Involvement (UCI) at Office 1, Kindar House, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4ZZ , offers group and individual advocacy for those with mental health problems. (Tel 01387 255330) Email info@userandcarer.co.uk

Barnardo’s Hear 4U advocacy service at 7 George Street Meuse, Dumfries DG1 1HH for specialist advocacy for children and young people. 

Telephone- 01387 264733   Web www.barnardos.org.uk/hear4u

Barnardo’s Hear 4U advocacy service at 7 George Street Meuse, Dumfries DG1 1HH for specialist advocacy for children and young people. 

Telephone- 01387 264733   Web www.barnardos.org.uk/hear4u

Advocacy Nationally

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) receive funding from Scottish Government  and developed various documents on behalf of the Scottish Government  such as code of practice, guide for commissioners, etc. They also provide information, training, support and advice to independent advocacy providers and promotes the interests of these organisations at national level. Contact details are:

Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB
Tel 0131 524 1975         Web:www.siaa.org.uk/