Nola Ellen Training Advocacy Skills

Advocacy Skills
February 2016
Copyright © 2016 Nola Ellen Training and Consultancy

Learning Objectives:
To explore:
•What is advocacy?
•Why and when may our client group
need advocacy support?
•What values and skills underpin
effective advocacy?
•How and when can I use this approach
as part of my volunteer role with LASSN?
•Where can my befriendee and I go for
further information and support?

Group Agreement
• Participate and share ideas.
• Confidentiality of information shared & limits of confidentiality.
• Mobile phones on silent.
• Listening carefully to others and respecting difference of opinion and values.
• Respectful challenging of views or behaviours (not the person) which may be
hurtful or prejudiced.
• Supporting each other to start and end the training on time.
• Use of the parking lot for unanswered questions and areas for further
discussion.

 Ebor Court Building
 Timings
Session 1 10:00-11:45 (what & why)
Break 11:45-12:00
Session 2 12:00-13:30 (when & how)
Lunch 13:30-14:15 (Provided)
Session 3 14:15-16:00 (how)
Finish 16:00
 Training materials – are available

Ice breaker

Thought shower...
A) What is advocacy?
B) Why and when may asylum
seekers and refugees need
advocacy support?

Advocacy is about:
 Ensuring people have the information they
need to make the right choices for them.
 Supporting people to find their voice, speak
up and be heard.
 Helping people to secure their rights, the
services and support they need.
 Enabling people to play a full part in their
communities.

An advocate:
Listens, helps people to find their voice, asks questions,
goes along to meetings, helps people understand
information and know their rights, may help with making
telephone calls or writing letters.
An advocate shouldn’t tell others what to do, talk against
people’s wishes or keep information from the person they
are advocating for.

ACTIVITY
Models of Advocacy

Video from
Advonet Leeds
What is
advocacy?

Is there a need for advocacy support
amongst our client group?

Literacy levels
Dispersal
PovertyInstability
Trauma
Complex processes
Change
Mental health difficulties
Physical health needs
Feeling a lack of safety / security
Discrimination
Racism
Restricted choices
Isolation
Language barriers
Cultural differences
Fear of detention / forced removal
Difficulty obtaining a school place
Difficulties accessing legal representation
Inflexible reporting requirements
Destitution
Loss, separation and bereavement
Uncertainty about the future
Anxiety
Depression
Lack of interpreters
Fear
Poor housing
Lack of awareness of rights and services
Mistrusting of authority
Low self confidence

Helping someone to
communicate using a
method which is helpful
for them and enables
them to fully express
themselves.
During meetings
When someone
wants to make a
compliant
Accessing help / support
services / resources
Helping someone
access education,
training, work
Helping someone access
leisure activities

ACTIVITY
What values and skills
underpin effective
advocacy?

Can anyone share an example of
a time you have advocated as
part of your role with LASSN?
What steps did you take?
What values and skills did you use?
What was the outcome?
Would you do anything different next time?

 Listen to, understand and promote the wishes and feelings of
your befriendee. Try to find out exactly how they feel about a
situation.
 Be Empowering, for example ask your befriendee what they
would like to happen next, encourage them to do things for
themselves with your support. Build their confidence and avoid
over dependency.
 Take time to gather all the necessary information before
talking through various options, be aware of the possible
consequences of different options available.

Inform befriendee of their rights and inform them of any legal
issues so that they can make an informed choice.
 Be aware of your own personal values and the limits of your
role.
 Be sensitive to the power dynamics.
 Be mindful of safeguarding and the limits of confidentiality.
 Use the support that is available to you.

Roles and Boundaries Exercise
What would you do and who
should you involve for additional
support?

Where can I go for further
information and support?
Contact us at LASSN: Tel: 0113 373 1759
Befriending Manager: Nola 07845 298039
English at Home Manager: Catherine 07927 808375
Grace Hosting Manager: Jo 07927 808372
LASSN Director: Jon 07845 298047

A very useful directory of services in Leeds for refugees and
asylum seekers can be found at:
www.lassn.org.uk/onlinedirectory/
You can post Q&A’s and review other peoples Q&A’s at the
LASSN website under resources – LASSN Q&A Board.

Upcoming LASSN Volunteer Training -
Asylum and refugee support in Leeds: who does what
If you ever feel like the person you know needs more support,
but you’re not sure who else can help.
Wednesday March 16th 17:30 – 19:00

Just Drop-in or Ring 0113 235 1877
Monday: Appointments Only
Tuesday: Drop-in: 10.00 – 12.00
Wednesday: Drop-in: 10.00 – 12.00
Appointments: 12.00 – 3.00
Advonet
267 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 4HS

Today we have explored:
•What is advocacy?
•Why and when may our client group
need advocacy support?
•What values and skills underpin
effective advocacy?
•How and when can I use this approach
as part of my volunteer role with LASSN?
•Where can my befriendee and I go for
further information and support?

Please complete an evaluation form
Thank you

Nola Ellen Training Advocacy Skills

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