We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Henry Smith Foundation to explore the development of a sustainable, representative advocacy sector membership organisation for advocacy providers across England and Wales.
The ambition is to create a sector representative membership body that can offer support and networking for advocacy organisations, while strengthening the collective voice and representing the sector strategically. This is an exciting next step to expand the existing Leaders in Advocacy Network and create a sustainable future.
It is essential that a new, representative membership body is coproduced and codesigned. That’s why we are eager to hear a diverse range of voices from across the advocacy sector.
There are several ways to share your views to shape and design this work with us:
Our surveys cover various aspects that are crucial for the potential development and creation of a representative membership body for advocacy providers. Your response will inform us about what is needed, whether it is feasible, and what activities and benefits should be offered.
Click below to start a survey that is relevant to your role or experience of advocacy:
Advocacy organisations – you are a representative of or an individual employed by an organisation that provides advocacy services
Self-employed advocates – you are an advocate that is not employed by an organisation
People who have accessed advocacy – either you have accessed advocacy yourself or are a family member or friend of someone who has
Commissioners – you commission advocacy services
These surveys will be open until Thursday 03 September 2025.
Focus groups will allow us to have conversations in smaller groups and explore membership options in more depth. These online meetings have different themes to accommodate diverse perspectives, but if a particular date does not work, you are welcome to attend any session.
Sign up to attend a focus group here.
Tues 29 Jul, 09.30-10:45am | statutory advocacy
Tues 29 Jul, 11:30am-12:45pm | non-statutory advocacy
Tues 29 Jul, 2-3:15pm | advocacy in Wales
Wed 30 Jul, 1:30-2:15pm | small advocacy organisations
Wed 30 Jul, 3-4:15pm | large advocacy organisation
Tues 05 Aug, 1:30-2:15pm | individual advocates
Tues 05 Aug, 3-4:15pm | children and young people advocacy
Wed 06 Aug, 09.30-10:45am | mental health advocacy
Wed 06 Aug, 11:30am-12:45pm | CEOs and managers of advocacy providers
Wed 06 Aug, 2-3:15pm | learning disability advocacy
Tues 12 Aug, 09:30-10:45am | non-statutory advocacy
Tues 12 Aug, 11:30am-12:45pm | statutory advocacy
Tues 12 Aug, 2-3:15pm | advocacy in Wales
Perhaps you could help spread the word? Share this webpage with other advocacy providers or individual advocates you know, or post it on LinkedIn.
Contact us if you have any questions, comments or would like to have a one-to-one conversation.
Thank you for taking the time to subscribe.