What does an Advocate do?

What does an Advocate do?

A Compass Advocacy worker can help you to:

Feel you are not alone and someone is on your side to support you
Gain and understand information regarding to your situation
Make choices about possible options
Communicate your needs and wishes
Have your rights acknowledged and upheld
Access services you are entitled to
Use complaints procedures

A Compass Advocacy worker listens to people about:

How it is for them
What the services have done
How they feel
What their hopes are
What their fears are
Where they want to go
Where they have been

A Compass Advocacy worker shares information on:

What to expect from the services
Where to find the services
How to find out your legal status
Who is who in the services
How to access files
How to put Advance Directives in place
How to contact people who could be helpful to you

A Advocacy worker supports people to:

At meetings with lawyers, Psychiatrists, Doctors, Care Managers, the District Inspector and Government agencies.
At assessments in hospitals, community or your own home.
To write letters, make phone calls and to make and follow up complaints.

If you need need help now please contact one of our Advocacy workers on our freephone number: 0800 212 798 or alternatively you can speak to our Coordinator Paul Baird on 03 548 2798 ext 0 you can also email us on compass@healthaction.org.nz