Supporting you to be safe
At The Advocacy Project, how we work is shaped by our values.
We are kind. We are honest. We believe in people. We are strong when it matters.
This means we work in ways that are respectful, clear, and focused on what’s important to you.
We are independent
We don’t work for the council, the NHS, or care providers.
We’re on your side, supporting you to have your voice heard and your rights respected.
We are confidential
What you share with us stays private.
We will only share information if:
you ask us to
we are worried about your safety or someone else’s
If this happens, we will explain what we are doing and why.
We focus on what matters to you
We take time to listen and understand what’s important in your life.
We support you to be involved in decisions about your health, care and wellbeing – in ways that work for you.
When safety is a concern
Sometimes, the people we work with may be at greater risk of harm or neglect because of power imbalances, communication barriers, or reliance on others.
If we are worried about someone’s safety, this is called safeguarding.
We will usually talk with you first, listen to what you want, and involve you as much as possible in deciding what should happen next.
Our aim is always to support your safety while respecting your rights, choices and independence.
A deeper dive
For more information about safeguarding at The Advocacy Project, click on the headings below. To read our safeguarding policies, visit our safeguarding page.
Why safeguarding matters
Many of the people we support are at greater risk of harm because they do not always have the same power, choice, or control as others.
This can be because of a learning disability, mental health needs, age, illness, or because decisions about their lives are often made by services, professionals, or family members. When someone feels unheard, rushed, or afraid to speak up, it can be harder for them to say when something is wrong.
At The Advocacy Project, we believe everyone has the right to be safe, treated with respect, and listened to.
The role of our advocates is to help make sure people’s voices are heard – even when they find it difficult to express their wishes clearly. We take time to understand what matters to each person, using different ways of listening and learning, including observation, past wishes, and talking with people who know them well.
Safeguarding is not about taking control away from someone. It is about recognising when there is a risk, addressing power imbalances, and working with people – as kindly and honestly as possible – to support their safety, rights, and wellbeing.
Watch this video to find out more about safeguarding at The Advocacy Project:
Confidentiality, privacy and trust
Trust is at the heart of everything we do. People need to feel safe to share their experiences, views, and personal information – whether they’re using our services, working with us as professionals, or commissioning our work.
We treat all personal information with care and respect. Information shared with us in confidence is only used for the purpose it was given and is not shared outside The Advocacy Project without consent, unless there is a legal duty or a serious risk of harm that means information must be shared to keep someone safe.
Everyone working on behalf of The Advocacy Project – including staff, volunteers, and trustees – has a responsibility to protect confidentiality and follow data protection law. We explain how confidentiality works to people using our services and revisit this throughout our work together, so expectations are clear and trust is maintained.
How we protect confidentiality in practice
Whether you are a service user, partner, or commissioner, you can expect that we will:
- Be clear from the start – we explain what confidentiality means, how information will be used, and any limits to confidentiality.
- Respect consent – we only share information with permission, unless there is a serious concern about safety or a legal requirement to do so.
- Share information carefully – if information does need to be shared, we do so proportionately and only with the right people.
- Keep information secure – personal information is stored and handled securely and accessed only by those who need it for their role.
- Treat people with dignity – confidentiality is not just about data, it’s about respect, relationships, and listening carefully to what matters to people.
Want to know more?
If you’d like more detail about how confidentiality works, including when it may be breached to prevent harm, you can read our full privacy policy here.
If you have questions or concerns about how your information is being handled, we encourage you to raise these with us. We’re always happy to talk things through.
What you can expect from an advocate
Meeting an advocate for the first time should feel calm, respectful and at your pace. They’ll start by introducing themselves and spending some time getting to know you as a person. This might include simple questions like:
- how are feeling today?
- is there anything you would like to talk about today?
- Do you know what an advocate does?
If someone else has referred you, they’ll take time to explain their role and answer any questions you have.
Advocates are there to be on your side. Their role is to help you speak up about what matters to you and make sure your views are heard and taken seriously. They can support you to understand your rights, get clear information, and explore your choices, so you can make the decisions that are right for you.
An advocate won’t tell you what to do or make decisions for you. Instead, they work with you to understand what you want. This might mean supporting you at meetings, helping you contact the right people, or speaking on your behalf if you don’t feel able to speak for yourself. Everything they do is guided by your wishes, preferences and consent.
Watch this video to hear from one of our Independent Mental Health Advocates (IMHA) about how they might work with someone on a hospital ward (just one of the settings in which we work):
How to report abuse and get support
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to talk to someone about it. You don’t have to be sure, and you don’t have to use the “right” words – what matters is how you’re feeling.
If you’re working with an advocate and have a concern about your support, you can tell someone at The Advocacy Project. This could be another advocate, a manager, or a member of our team. You can share as much or as little as you want, and you can do this in a way that feels safest for you. We will listen respectfully and take your concerns seriously.
If you’re worried about your safety where you live, stay, or spend most of your time (such as a care setting, hospital, or your own home) an advocate can help you talk through what’s happening. They can support you to understand your options and, if you want, help you contact the right people for support.
We will always try to respect your wishes and privacy. We won’t take action without you wherever possible, unless there is a serious risk to your safety or someone else’s.
If you are in immediate danger or feel unsafe right now, please contact emergency services straight away.
What happens next?
- Someone will listen and take time to understand your concern
- You can ask questions and take things at your own pace
- Your options will be explained clearly, so you can decide what feels right
- If further action is needed, we will talk this through with you first
You can also visit our feedback, complaints and safeguarding pages for more detailed information about how concerns are handled and the support available.