With thanks to funding from The Henry Smith Foundation in 2025, we spent the last year supporting the Advocacy Network and exploring whether a membership body for the advocacy sector would be a sustainable way forward.
As part of this work, we engaged with more than 200 people, including:
- advocacy organisations,
- independent advocates,
- commissioners, and
- people who have accessed advocacy services and family members.
What we found
The feedback highlighted a strong desire for a collective voice on policy and strategic issues, opportunities to share good practice, as well as a way for the sector to work together on common challenges.
While there was strong support for the idea of a membership body in principle, it became clear that there are significant practical challenges at this stage.
These challenges include:
- affordability for many organisations,
- uncertainty about long-term financial sustainability of a membership body, and
- a gap between interest in the concept and ability to commit financially.
Because of these challenges, setting up a formal membership body is not the best option at this time.
What’s next?
Instead, the network has developed a different and positive direction.
A dedicated committee, made up of representatives from a broad range of advocacy organisations and independent advocates, has been established to help guide and coordinate the network’s future activities.
This approach keeps the network open, inclusive and sector-led, while avoiding the costs and risks associated with creating a formal membership body.
The committee will take the lead in shaping the network’s next steps, with NDTi continuing to support the network where possible and remaining actively involved in advocacy policy and sector development work. We will also continue to explore opportunities for longer-term funding and support to strengthen the network’s influence and sustainability.
