Dunfermline Advocacy provides support for Citizen Advocacy partnerships across West Fife. Citizen Advocacy matches local people with vulnerable adults in the community to provide invaluable support and friendship, giving each individual a chance to have their voice heard and represented.

Dunfermline Advocacy is working to the new eligibility criteria for adults, covering West Fife, agreed in the Fife Advocacy Strategy:

People in Fife, aged 16 or above, who are affected by disability, chronic illness, dementia or mental disorder (including mental illness, learning disability or personality disorder) and are unable to safeguard their own well-being, rights, care or other interests will be eligible to receive independent advocacy services.

Building Relationships

Citizen Advocates aim to build lasting meaningful connections and mutually beneficial relationships with our advocacy partners. For many people their Citizen Advocate is the only person not paid to be in their life and here the impact of having a friend cannot be overstated.

Providing Support

Citizen Advocates provide essential support for local people at key times of vulnerability and need. A key part of many partnerships is the support Advocates provide, whether by ensuring their partner has the information they need to make choices, by sharing activities to widen opportunities and by ensuring their partner understands the legal processes they are part of.

Giving People a Voice

Citizen Advocates speak up for those who may not otherwise have their needs represented and promoted. Supporting someone to have their say, or speaking up on their behalf can happen in many ways, from support to ask for small things at home to speaking up in formal meetings which could include statutory proceedings like a mental health tribunal.

For more information please visit www.dunfermlineadvocacy.org.