Too many people in Scotland are facing the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, and we’re committed to making a difference. Our team of advocacy workers provides free and confidential independent advocacy services across the region.
What We Do
- Advocacy Support: Our advocacy workers have a caseload and assist multiple people at any one time. We help people understand their rights and access necessary support or services.
- Voice of Advocacy Partners: Our sole agenda is to represent the views, wishes, and preferences of the individuals we work with.
- Flexible Meeting Locations: We meet our advocacy partners at convenient locations, including their homes or other community facilities, to understand their concerns and plan our actions together.
- We work at your pace: We listen to our partners and follow their directions, amplifying their voices and aiming to boost their confidence and self-advocacy skills.
- Signposting and Referrals: While we’re not healthcare or social workers and don’t provide advice, we can guide individuals to access other services to aid their recovery journey.
Key Points
- We have a small team of dedicated independent advocacy workers for people affected by addiction.
- Our meetings are directed by you, whether it’s researching residential rehab options, attending meetings, or facilitating communication with other professionals involved in your life.
- Health and social workers don’t influence our work; we operate independently to be loyal only to our advocacy partners.
North Lanarkshire
Download a referral form for North Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
Download a referral form for South Lanarkshire
We provide advocacy services for adults living with:
- learning disabilities
- communication/physical disabilities
- mental health issues
- dementia
- complex needs or long-term health conditions
Our aim is to ensure that the voices of our advocacy partners are heard in decisions that impact their lives.
- We operate independently of local councils and healthcare providers, allowing us to focus solely on representing the interests of our advocacy partners.
- Our Advocacy Workers assist individuals living at home, in hospital, or in residential care settings.
- We prioritise assisting people detained under the Mental Health Act, those who object to being under Guardianship, and those affected by Adult Support and Protection legislation.
North Lanarkshire
In North Lanarkshire, we work with adults aged 16 to 64
- 104 Stewarton Street, Wishaw, ML2 8AG
- Telephone: 01698 358 245
Download a referral form for North Lanarkshire (Word Doc format)
South Lanarkshire
In South Lanarkshire, we work with adults aged 16+, including older adults aged over 65
Download a referral form for South Lanarkshire (Word Doc format)
Self-Directed Support (SDS) gives people choice and control over the way their support is designed and delivered. By acknowledging that people are the real “experts” in their own life, SDS encourages people to think about how their lives might get better, and the role support might play in making this happen.
The Scottish Government recently granted funding to Equal Say to help adults at any stage of their SDS journey. Our SDS team can:
- support people to prepare for and contribute to an SDS assessment
- talk to people about what is important to them and what they want to achieve
- give people information about the different options for planning and managing support available through SDS
- help people come up with ideas about creative ways to use their Individual Budget.
We are independent of all other agencies (Social Work, NHS, support providers etc.) and can come in at any stage of the SDS process. Equal Say has an open referral policy and can work with adults aged 16 – 64 in North Lanarkshire and 16+ (including older adults aged over 65) in South Lanarkshire.
Contact us on 01698 358245