Dunfermline Advocacy offers Long Term and Short Term Citizen Advocacy to vulnerable adults in West Fife. In Short Term Citizen Advocacy partnerships the trusting relationship, or friendship, is just as important as it is for the long-term partnerships, but there is a more immediate issue to address and the partnership will usually end when this is resolved. Short-term advocates work with their partners to ensure that their needs and views are represented, whether by attending meetings, helping complete paperwork or talking to members of a social care team. Becoming a short-term advocate is a great way for those who are unable to make a long-term, stable commitment to help those people in need of their support. Long-term Citizen Advocacy is based on a long-lasting friendship of respect and equality between two individuals. Advocates will spend time getting to know their partner and understanding what issues are important to them. They will provide support to help make decisions and allow their partner to put forward their own views and most importantly will be a friendly face and companion for their partner. Like all relationships, every Citizen Advocacy Partnership is unique, but in general a Citizen Advocate:
- Gets to know their Partner, spending time together and building up a picture of the Partner’s life.
- Helps the Partner to examine their situation and decide what issues are important to them
spends time discussing different options so that the Partner has unbiased support to help them to make vital decisions.
- Focuses on what the Partner wants and helps them to put their own views forward
treats the Partner as an equal and encourages others to do the same.
- Is prepared to make a long-term commitment once the Partnership is established.
