About Us
Who are we and what is "advocacy"?
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Advocacy First provides advocacy for people within the community, patients in hospital, people with Dementia and for people in care/nursing homes in the London Borough of Bromley.
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The basic principal of advocacy is to offer support and to speak on behalf of people who feel unable to do so themselves. Offering options and support enables the client to make their own decisions and choices. Clients are encouraged to help themselves where possible, instilling the value of independence whilst receiving advocacy support. Advocacy has grown into a worldwide movement helping people with mental health, dementia, disability, older people and patients in hospital. Advocates are people who listen, understand, support and speak on behalf of those in need.
Each year Advocacy First, formerly known as Bromley Advocacy Alliance, help many people from all walks of life. The service is free and completely confidential; the client can feel 100% confident that no action or discussion will take place without their consent.
We work in partnership with other organisations where appropriate; creating a network of help in resolving many of the problems society faces today. Sometimes, we may have to make referrals to other organisations when advocacy is not appropriate. The service is offered to people aged 50 and above except in the case of a hospital patient. However, we will always endeavour to help younger aged persons by providing information and types of help appropriate to their needs.