An Advocacy Service has been established at the ACCG since 1999 and operated firstly as part time then full-time service, due to high demand. The service is used by the Older Black people attending the day centre as well as Older Black people living in the wider community in South Manchester and North Trafford.
The service has been established to offer help and advice to the beneficiaries mentioned above by assisting them, for example, in applying for appropriate benefits, dealing with housing matters and generally advising on issues relating to statutory agencies, utility companies and access to services in general.
Over the years the advocacy service has developed a trust and commitment in one-to-one, long-term partnership between the service and members enabling the advocacy worker to identify underlying needs such as the risk of isolation, vulnerability and neglect.
