Independent advocacy • Scotland

Your voice.

AdvoConnect supports people to have their voices heard when decisions are being made about their health, wellbeing, care and support.

Submit a Referral → Discover AdvoConnect ↓
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We don't make decisions for you. We help you have your voice heard.

Independent advocacy
LISTEN Your experience matters
SUPPORT Without judgement
Respect Dignity Choice Independence

About AdvoConnect

Advocacy starts
with listening.

We work alongside people, helping them understand information, explore their options, express their views and communicate what matters to them.

AdvoConnect is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) dedicated to advancing health and relieving those in need by reason of ill-health through the provision of independent mental health advocacy.

We support people to have their voices heard when decisions are being made about their health, wellbeing, care and support.

Our approach
Respect
Dignity
Choice
Independence

Our purpose

Putting people
at the centre.

Our Mission

To empower people experiencing ill-health to have their voices heard, understand their rights and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives.

Through independent advocacy, we aim to reduce barriers that can prevent people from expressing their views and ensure that the people we support remain at the centre of decisions about their lives.

We work alongside people, not on their behalf without their involvement.

Looking ahead

A society where
everyone has a voice.

Everyone should be listened to and everyone should be able to participate in decisions about their own life.

We envision a future where people experiencing mental ill-health are treated with dignity and respect, their views are taken seriously, and they have access to independent support when they need it.

AdvoConnect wants to contribute to a fairer, more inclusive society where people are empowered to speak for themselves and exercise meaningful choice and control.

What guides us

Our Objectives

Our objectives are centred on improving people's ability to participate, make informed choices and have their voices heard.

Provide independent advocacy to people experiencing mental ill-health and other forms of ill-health.

Support people to express their views, wishes and concerns.

Help people understand information relating to decisions about their health, wellbeing and support.

Promote people's participation in decisions that affect their lives.

Promote equality, dignity, respect and inclusion.

Help reduce barriers that can prevent people from being heard.

Work collaboratively with individuals, communities and relevant organisations.

Raise awareness of the importance and value of independent advocacy.

Learn from the experiences of people who use our services to improve what we do.

How we can help

Independent support
built around you.

Our advocacy services are built around your voice, your choices and your rights.

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Mental Health
Advocacy

You have the right to be heard. We support people to express their views, understand information and participate in decisions affecting their lives.

  • Understand information and choices
  • Express views and wishes
  • Prepare for meetings
  • Communicate with professionals
  • Ask questions and raise concerns
  • Understand and exercise rights
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Substance Use
Advocacy

People who experience challenges relating to alcohol or other substances deserve to be listened to and treated with dignity and respect.

We work alongside individuals without judgement, recognising that everyone's circumstances and goals are different.

Your past does not define your right to be heard.
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Prison
Advocacy

Our advocacy service provides independent support that helps people express their views and ensure those views are properly communicated.

We can support people to understand information, prepare for conversations and meetings, raise concerns and participate in relevant decisions.

Everyone deserves to have their voice heard, wherever they are.

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Outreach
Services

Sometimes the biggest barrier to accessing support is simply being able to reach it.

Our outreach approach allows us to work alongside people in the environments and communities where support is needed.

Accessibility Trust Respect Choice Independence

Make a difference

Get Involved

Your experience, time or support can help make advocacy stronger.

Share Your Story

Your experience can make a difference. Sharing your story can help us understand what is working, identify barriers and improve the way advocacy is delivered.

Share your experience →

Volunteer

Whether you have professional experience, lived experience or simply want to contribute to your community, we'd love to hear from you.

Become a volunteer →

Evidence & learning

Research

Good advocacy should be informed by evidence and, most importantly, by the experiences of the people who use services.

Reports

We believe good advocacy should be informed by evidence and, most importantly, by the experiences of the people who use services.

This section can contain AdvoConnect's research, reports, publications and learning from our advocacy work.

Consultations

People with lived experience should have an important role in shaping the services and policies that affect them.

Your experience matters. Your perspective can influence change.

People behind AdvoConnect

Our Trustees

Our trustees are committed to putting people and their voices at the heart of everything we do.

They bring together a range of skills, knowledge and experience, with a shared commitment to independent advocacy and improving outcomes for people experiencing ill-health.

Our work starts with listening.
Trustee 1

Christine Mutua

Trustee at AdvoConnect

Trustee 2

Ifeoma Nwali

Trustee at AdvoConnect

Trustee 3

Patrick Turyomunsi

Trustee at AdvoConnect

Trustee 4

Ibrahim Musiige

Trustee at AdvoConnect

Trustee 5

Nasib Musiige

Trustee at AdvoConnect

Our partners

Working together
to make a difference.

Our work is made possible through the support of funders and partners who share our commitment to improving people's health, wellbeing and ability to have their voices heard.

We are grateful for the support that enables AdvoConnect to provide independent advocacy and develop services that respond to the needs of the people and communities we support.

Contact AdvoConnect

Get in
Touch.

If you have a question, need more information or would like to contact AdvoConnect, please use the form.

Contact Us

If you have a question, need more information or would like to contact AdvoConnect, please use the form below.

Submit a Referral

Contact AdvoConnect

Make a
Complaint.

We want to hear when things haven't gone right. Your concerns will be treated seriously and respectfully.

Make a Complaint

Get involved

Share Your Story

Your experience can help us understand what is working, identify barriers and improve advocacy services.

Share Your Story

Get involved

Volunteer

We would love to hear from people who want to contribute their skills, experience or time.

Volunteer