Letter to the Deputy Minister for Social Services
Published on 06 June 2013 08:00 AM
Here is a copy of a letter that Age Cymru and 73 other organisations have signed that we have sent to the editors of every newspaper in Wales.
Dear Editor,
Independent advocacy in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill
We are 74 Welsh organisations who want advocacy services that give people a voice and control; secure their rights and represent their interests; to be more widely available.
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill is the ideal opportunity for the Welsh Government to strengthen its commitment to independent advocacy and improve access to these services across Wales.
We are pleased that the Welsh Government intends to bring forward an amendment on advocacy in the Bill.
This amendment must make a strong commitment to providing professional independent advocacy and extend access to these services to people of all ages.
Advocacy services must be available for free and to all individuals regardless of whether it appears they have someone who can speak up for them (such as family).
Access to independent advocacy is particularly crucial in terms of assessment and developing care and support plans and in preventing abuse and neglect.
Adults and children at risk of abuse are among the most vulnerable people in our communities and they must be protected from harm.
Independent advocacy can help to redress the power imbalance that occurs in abuse and can enable the person to take back some control.
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill is an opportunity that must not be wasted.
This is why we have written to the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas to ask for swift action to improve access to independent advocacy so that this important Bill delivers real voice and control for people in Wales.
Yours sincerely,
Age Cymru;
Children in Wales;
Age Alliance Wales;
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA);
National Pensioners Convention (NPC);
Pensioners Forum Wales ;
Advocacy Wales;
Older People's Commissioner for Wales;
British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Cymru;
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales;
Age Connects Wales;
Wales Alliance for Citizen Directed Support;
Older People's Advocacy Alliance (OPAAL) UK;
Disability Wales;
Learning Disability Wales;
MS Society Cymru;
Gofal;
Action for Children - Gweithredu dros Blant;
Voices From Care;
Mind Cymru;
NSPCC Cymru Wales;
Action on Hearing Loss Cymru;
Mencap Cymru;
Sense Cymru;
Tenovus;
The National Autistic Society (NAS) Cymru;
Barnado's Cymru;
Leonard Cheshire Disability;
Shelter Cymru;
Arthritis Care in Wales;
Care and Repair Cymru;
Carers Wales;
RNIB Cymru;
Diverse Cymru;
Carers Trust;
The Alzheimer's Society;
Scope Cymru;
Community Lives Consortium;
The Wallich;
A Dignified Revolution;
Disability Advice Project;
The Autism Directory;
Changing Faces Cymru;
Tros Gynnal Plant;
Mental Health Matters Wales;
Shared Lives Plus;
Age Cymru Ceredigion;
Age Cymru Gwent;
Age Cymru Sir Gar;
Age Cymru Gwynedd a Môn;
Age Cymru Powys;
Age Cymru Swansea Bay;
Swansea Association Independent Living (SAIL);
Carmarthenshire People First;
Age Concern Morgannwg;
Age Concern Torfaen;
Age Concern North Wales Central;
Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan;
Age Concern Pembrokeshire;
Conwy & Denbighshire Mental Health Advocacy Service;
Your Voice Advocacy;
Powys Carers Service;
Crossroads Care Cardiff and the Vale;
The Valleys Regional Equality Council;
The Carers' Centre Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan;
Grwp Mynediad Arfon Access Group;
False Allegations Support Organisation UK;
Swansea People First;
Flintshire Advocacy Services
Welsh Association of ME & CFS Support ;
Llys Pegasus Leaseholders' and Residents Association;
North Wales Regional Equality Network;
Flintshire Disability Forum;
Fairbourne, Friog & Arthog Senior Citizens Association;