We asked some of our staff members to tells us a bit more about what their day-to-day work involves, and what they enjoy about their roles. The vision of our organisation remains at the core of all these jobs – to help create a world in which everyone has a voice.
What’s your role at The Advocacy Project?
I’m an Independent Mental Health Advocate in the Forensic Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital in Ealing. I’m responsible for visiting six of our eighteen wards, as well as taking on casework for people who need supporting on their journey through the hospital system.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I’m a people person. I love meeting and chatting with new people and although the role is very challenging, it does involve a lot of social interaction. I feel that some of the most important things I actually write are statements for Tribunals, which help patients move their lives forward in meaningful directions and feel like they’re being heard.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in advocacy?
Make sure you have the emotional resilience to actually help people. It can be tough to join people (even for a short time) on a journey where their life might be at its lowest ebb. You need to be aware of all your triggers and be in a place in your life where you won’t get in your own way. An open dialogue with your manager will help with that – luckily for me, mine is fab.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve been given (related to work or life) that you would like to share?
My late Aunt taught me about the Taoist concept of Wu Wei. There’s no precise English translation, but it’s been described as ‘non-action’, ‘non-forcing’ or ‘effortless action’. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me and underpins both my personal and professional life.
What’s your role at The Advocacy Project?
My day-to-day role varies from reading and responding to emails, reading policy documents, facilitating and attending meetings of the Older People’s Group in Westminster, and The Mental Health Voice Committee in City and Hackney.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The versatility of the role means it is never boring, constantly challenging my skills and allowing me to develop in a supportive environment. I mostly enjoy travelling around the boroughs in which I work, preferably on a summer’s day, meeting the people I work with and learning from them. Particularly satisfactory is when commissioners and providers act on the advice given by the group members.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in advocacy?
I would say it can be challenging but rewarding at the same time, especially when trying to address inequalities in society. I adopted a mantra which I use when people feel apathy, they feel changes can’t be made and it’s not worth the effort. I say ‘by removing a brick at a time, we will eventually bring down the entire wall’.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve been given (related to work or life) that you would like to share?
You only live once so grasp every opportunity that comes your way – given by someone who was trying to persuade me to go on a holiday which I was unwilling to…I relented and had a glorious, memorable holiday.
What’s your role at The Advocacy Project?
In my role, I lead and coordinate engagement and projects that are informed by community members to influence change and impact within health and social care.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy my role because it has so many dimensions. My days are filled with networking, coordinating the Advisory Board, attending drop-in sessions, participating in events and working with community groups and organisations. There is never a dull moment, it always keeps you on your toes waiting for the next adventure.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in advocacy?
If you’re considering a career in my field, I would advise you to focus on developing people-centric skills first, as these skills are underrated, yet very valuable. The building of connections and healthy relationships is essential in order for them to trust that you will provide them with support.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve been given (related to work or life) that you would like to share?
Hm, I think one key piece of advice I’ve been given is to always manage expectations – this could be in terms of workload, communication with colleagues, community members, or even strategic stakeholders. It makes your life easier and those around you.
What’s your role at The Advocacy Project?
We’re both Customer Service Advisors and receive calls and emails from professionals, those in the community, on hospital wards and family members. These come from all boroughs of London and often elsewhere in the country. Frequently, the people we talk to are in a state of distress. We listen to people’s situations and signpost them to relevant services in their area. We give information about the types of advocacy that we provide and how to complete referrals.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The variety of calls we get and ending a call having helped someone. Often, we have to problem solve when people are distressed and think quickly when initially provided with a small amount of information.
Being able to help the people who are in despair, especially when they feel like they have been going around in circles with different organisations and nobody else has listened to them.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in advocacy?
We all have so many transferable skills. Don’t be afraid to try something different; if you enjoy helping people and making a difference in their lives, it can be a very rewarding job.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve been given (related to work or life) that you would like to share?
My mum once said to me ‘Everything exciting is scary’. I have found this helpful when I’m about to start a new adventure or chapter in life.
If you ever get the opportunity to do something amazing in life, grab it with both hands. You may not get the chance again.