Onside

Onside: Inspiring change in people and communities

Onside is a charity, established in 1993, stemming from a belief that everyone has a right to be a valued human being and to be treated in a just and fair manner.

We currently work across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, providing a wide range of support services to ensure fairness and equality for all members of our community, who may be vulnerable, disadvantaged or discriminated against. This includes a range of statutory and non-statutory advocacy services in Herefordshire, supporting local people disadvantaged by disability, mental ill health, learning difficulties and age related health issues, to have their voices heard and their rights respected.

For a full list of what we offer, take a look below.

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need. Advocates and advocacy providers work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.

(Advocacy Code of Practice QPM Revised Edition 2014)

What does an advocate do?

Advocates are independent, non-judgemental and empathetic. They support vulnerable and disadvantaged people through care proceedings and complaints processes, ensuring they:

• Have access to information and professional advice and guidance
  
  
• Have support to consider options, make decisions and act on information and advice
  
  
• Are afforded fair and equal treatment
  
  
• Have their voice and views heard
  
  

What does an advocate not do?

Advocates will not:

• Give advice
  
  
• Provide counselling
  
  
• Tell someone what to do or not do
  
  
• Make decisions for others
  
  
• Mediate between the person they are supporting, their family members or other professionals
  
  
• Give personal opinions
  
  

Our range of services for adults in Herefordshire, include:

• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
  
  
• Care Act Advocacy
  
  
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
  
  
• Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA)
  
  
• Community Advocacy
  
  

For more information about our services and how to access them, please select any of the above links within the Talk Community Directory or call our Access Hub on 01905 27525 or email accesshub@onside-advocacy.org.uk.

If you are interested in training to become a volunteer advocate, our friendly Volunteer Team would love to hear from you. Simply call 01905 27525 or email volunteering@onside-advocacy.org.uk.