Need support to say what matters to you?
Our advocates can help you understand your rights, attend meetings, write letters, and make sure your voice is heard in the decisions that affect your life.
Call us on 01606 331 853 to find out how we can help, or read about the different types of advocacy below.
Funding update
At the moment we can only offer our advocacy service if it’s paid for privately or commissioned by your local authority (April 2026).
Get in touch and we’ll talk you through the options.
The kinds of advocacy we offer
Different situations call for different specialist support. Here's what we can help with.
General Advocacy
If you need help saying what you want and understanding what your rights are, our advocates can support you with things like housing, benefits appeals, education appeals, children’s welfare, writing letters, and attending meetings.
To use this service, you need to have (or care for someone with) lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition, want help from an advocate, and live in Cheshire.
This service is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
Including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
If you’ve been assessed as not able to make important decisions (often called “lacking capacity”) our advocates can help.
You’ll need to be aged 16 or over, and assessed as lacking capacity to make decisions about medical treatment, accommodation, adult protection cases, or care, or be involved in the Deprivation of Liberty Assessment Process.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
For people being treated under the Mental Health Act who need help having their voice heard about their care and treatment.
You’ll need to be aged 16 or over, being treated under the Mental Health Act, and need assistance to have your voice heard.
Not everyone is entitled to IMHA support, please contact us if you’re unsure.
Care Act Advocacy
If you have care and support needs and need help saying what you want and understanding your rights, our Care Act Advocates can support you.
We can help with care assessments, support planning, care reviews, safeguarding enquiries, safeguarding reviews, and submitting appeals.
You’ll need to be aged 16 or over with care and support needs.
Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Advocacy
If you’re struggling to understand healthcare funding issues under Continuing Healthcare, we can help.
Our CHC advocates give support and representation in challenging continuing healthcare funding issues, helping you make the right decisions.
You’ll need to be aged 18 or over, and need support and representation around CHC funding.
Child Protection and Family Support Advocacy
For parents or carers who might find it difficult to understand children’s services, education services, and the legal system because of a learning disability, mental health problem, or communication need.
We offer advocacy through processes including Section 47 enquiries, child protection conferences, core groups, care reviews, EHCPs, educational tribunals, and court proceedings.
Our advocates can:
- Help parents and carers understand and participate in child protection processes
- Attend court with the parent or carer, helping them understand proceedings and communicate with their lawyer
- Help the parent or carer ask professionals questions and express their point of view
- Attend meetings if the parent or carer can’t, or if they need support
- Help the parent or carer understand decisions made about their child’s care
To make a referral: email advocacydisabilitypositive.org or call 01606 331 853 (ask for advocacy).