Advocacy Providers in Norfolk.

Statutory Advocacy Provider: POhWER.

POhWER is not part of the Norfolk Advocacy Partnership (NAP). The NAP organisations do not offer the below services and would instead signpost to POhWER:
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA). Independent Care Act Advocacy. Deaf Statutory Advocacy.

Age UK Norfolk offer the below services, but referrals must be made through POhWER: NHS Complaints Advocacy. Relevant Paid Persons Representative (RPPR).

Community and Specialist Advocacy Providers:

These organisations are part of NAP. They offer advocacy across a wide range of subjects including housing, health, social care and mental health.
There are some commonalities in the cases these organisations will or will not accept: The advocate must be able to work directly with the client. A carer, referrer, family member or friend can normally be involved with the process but only with consent from the client. The client must have capacity (the ability to use and understand information to make a decision, and communicate any decision made). Except for Relevant Paid Persons Representative (RPPR) advocacy.
The below organisations cover all of Norfolk, except for Age UK Norwich. They all accept self-referrals. 

Age UK Norfolk:
For those aged 50 and over. Covers all of Norfolk. Referrals via NCAN, phone or email.  Offers a Money Matters service for those aged 65 and over. Contact by phone: 03005 001217. Email: advice@ageuknorfolk.org.uk

Age UK Norwich:
For those aged 50 and over. Covers Greater Norwich. Advocacy focused on reconsiderations and appeal work, for example PIP appeals. Other types of cases should normally be directed to Age UK Norfolk. Referrals via NCAN, phone or email. Contact: Phone: 01603 496333. Email: enquiries@ageuknorwich.org.uk

Deaf Connexions: d/Deaf people. Based in Norwich. Referrals: Text, email or drop-in. More information here: https://www.deafconnexions.org.uk/advocacy.html. Text/ whatsapp: 07932 069352. Email: Deafconnexionsopendoor@gmail.com.

Equal Lives: Disabilities across a range of categories: Physical disabilities, Long-term health conditions, Mental health conditions, Neurodiversity. As well as community advocacy, offers a child-protection advocacy service for Disabled Parents. Does not accept cases relating to: Welfare benefits, Attending court, Issues that require legal advice, Complaints against an organisation the person is no longer involved with, Police and the criminal justice system, Employment tribunals, Children’s education and special educational needs, Issues that have already been considered at ombudsman level, Post-court LAC reviews when a final decision has been made that a child/ children will not be returning to their parents. Referrals via form on website or phone. Contact: Phone: 01508 491210, Email: advocacy@equallives.org.uk.

MAP: Young people 11-25. Drop-in services in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn. Contact: Phone: 0800 0744454, Email: advice@map.uk.net.

Opening Doors: People with Learning Disabilities. Referrals via phone or email. Phone: 01603 631 433, email: referrals@openingdoors.org.uk.

The Bridge Plus: People from ethnic minority and/or migrant backgrounds. Referrals via phone or email. Phone: 01603 617076, email: office@bridgeplus.org.uk.

West Norfolk Deaf Association: d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Based in King’s Lynn. Referrals via phone or email. Phone: 01553 773399, info@wnda.org.uk.