What is self-advocacy?
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself, sharing your views, and being involved in decisions that affect your life. For some people, taking these steps on their own feels right – especially when they have the right information and tools.
At The Advocacy Project, we believe in people’s ability to understand their rights, express what matters to them, and make informed choices. Supporting self-advocacy is part of our commitment to helping people have a strong and confident voice.
A deeper dive
To find out more about self-advocacy and first steps, click on the headings below.
What self-advocacy involves
Self-advocacy can include:
- understanding your rights and options
- preparing for meetings or conversations
- asking questions and seeking clarification
- explaining what you want and what you don’t want
- keeping a record of decisions and next steps
Self-advocacy does not mean doing everything alone. It means having control and choice over how you speak up.
Using self-advocacy tools
Some people find that self-advocacy toolkits help them:
- organise their thoughts
- prepare what to say
- feel more confident in conversations
- decide whether they want extra support.
These tools can be useful if you want to take steps independently, or if you’re deciding whether advocacy support would be helpful.
When you might want more support
Sometimes situations become complex, emotional, or difficult to manage alone. If you find that your voice is not being heard, or decisions are being made without you, an advocate can offer independent support.
You can start with self-advocacy and choose advocacy support later – or decide that self-advocacy is enough for you. Both choices are valid.
Your choice, your voice
Whether you speak up on your own or with the support of an advocate, what matters is that your views, wishes, and feelings are heard and respected.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, you’re welcome to contact us for a kind and honest conversation about what support might help.
Self-advocacy toolkit
Self-advocacy means understanding your needs, knowing your rights, and confidently sharing what matters to you. It’s about taking an active role in decisions that affect your life.
Why use self-advocacy?
Because you are the expert on your own life. When you advocate for yourself, you can make choices that reflect your goals, values, and preferences. It helps you feel more in control and ensures that others understand what you need.
What are the benefits?
- Confidence: You learn to express yourself clearly and respectfully.
- Independence: You gain the skills to make decisions and solve problems.
- Better outcomes: When you speak up, you’re more likely to get the support and opportunities that fit your needs.
- Empowerment: You take charge of your life and your future.
This toolkit will give you practical tips and tools to help you speak up for yourself.
NHS complaints - how to raise concerns yourself
The NHS aims to make sure everyone using their services is satisfied with their treatment, but sometimes things don’t go as expected.
If you’re unhappy with the service you or others have received from a hospital, doctor, dentist, or local surgery, you have the right to raise these concerns. By doing so, it gives the NHS the chance to learn from what has happened and put things right quickly. The response to your concerns may include an explanation, an apology, and information about how the NHS service provider has used this experience to improve their services and care.
This guide gives you information to help you feel confident raising your concerns about the NHS. It tells you about the process, how we can support you with the complaint, and how to contact us.
Understanding your rights - find out more
We want everyone to be able to understand and exercise their rights, and to have their voice heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing.
While we do not provide detailed advice on rights ourselves, this section signposts to trusted, independent organisations who are experts in areas such as mental health, health and social care, and wider citizen rights. Their information can support people to make informed choices, feel more confident, and speak up for what matters to them.
Mind – information and support about your legal rights when it comes to mental health care.
Citizens Advice – helps people understand their rights across many areas like consumer issues, work, housing, money and even human rights (unfair treatment by public bodies). They provide free, confidential advice on the law, help with complaints, and offer guidance on your legal protections, such as those under the Human Rights Act, ensuring you know what you’re entitled to and how to claim it.
Law Works – a charity committed to enabling access to justice through free legal advice.
Advice Now – helps individuals and communities deal with life’s legal problems. They do this by providing legal support including information, legal self-help tools, and training to help people use the law.
When self-advocacy might not be enough
Sometimes, self-advocacy and information are not enough. If your situation feels complex, overwhelming, or difficult to manage on your own, you may benefit from more personalised support.
In these circumstances, you can book an initial conversation with one of our advocates to talk through your situation and explore what support might help. This service is offered on a fee-paying basis where it falls outside the statutory or community advocacy services we provide.
For more information on our services take a look at our dedicated Paid Advocacy page.