A NEW service has been launched in Thurrock to support people with concerns about their health, care and well being.

VoiceAbility has launched a new advocacy service in the borough to help people who need extra support to make sure their views and wishes are heard when decisions are being made that affect their lives, their care, or their medical treatment. VoiceAbility also support people wishing to make a complaint about NHS care. 

VoiceAbility's services are independent and free, and people can refer themselves or someone they know here.

Emma Everitt, VoiceAbility's Director of Business and Strategy, said "VoiceAbility is passionate about supporting people to be heard when it matters most. We are delighted to be working with the teams at Thurrock Council and the networks across the area to reach as many people who need our support as possible." 

Cllr Deb Arnold, Thurrock Council's cabinet member for adults and health, said "We are thrilled to be working with an organisation whose values echo our own. VoiceAbility put people at the heart of everything they do, their effectiveness and efficiency will enable us to increase support for people in Thurrock with this integral service."

Advocacy is free, independent support to help people to be fully involved in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing. Across Thurrock, VoiceAbility provides advocacy support to people in the following situations: 

•  Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for people who detained or 'sectioned' and receiving treatment under the Mental Health Act
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) for people when they are assessed to lack 'capacity' to make a decision about their long-term accommodation or serious medical treatment
• Care Act Advocacy to support people to be fully involved in decisions about any care and support they need, if they would face substantial difficulty without support from an advocate, including assessments, care reviews, care and support planning and safeguarding processes  
• NHS Complaints Advocacy to support people to complain about the treatment or care that they or a friend or family member have received from an NHS service

An advocate is an independent professional who is on the side of their client. They support people to know their rights and have their say to be heard.  

Advocates don't work for the council, the NHS, or care providers. They keep information confidential, and their services are free.  

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People can access all advocacy services by: 

• emailing [email protected]  
• calling freephone 0300 303 1660  
• Visiting VoiceAbility's website and completing a referral form for themselves or for someone else who needs support: voiceability.org/thurrock