By Deborah, Independent Visitor with Advocacy Focus
Since August 2023, I’ve been a volunteer with Advocacy Focus as an Independent Visitor. That means I meet up with a young person once a month to go on days out together. This has included going to pantomimes, the circus, the theatre, painting pottery, visiting Chester Zoo, seeing Christmas lights, going to the cinema, and going to the park.
Spending time together has helped us become good friends. We’ve built trust, and now they know I’m someone they can talk to and have fun with. It’s not just about the trips – it’s about being there and making them feel important and listened to.
What I’ve loved is how much I’ve learned from them too. They’re really smart and full of energy. Every time we meet, I see things in new ways and even learn new words!
Being an Independent Visitor is something I really enjoy. It’s shown me how important it is for young people in care to have adults they can count on – people who will listen, support them, and just enjoy spending time together.
By Beverly, Independent Visitor with Advocacy Focus
I really enjoy being an Independent Visitor. It is such a rewarding experience. I met Jake* 18 months ago shortly after his 15th birthday and I think both of us were a little unsure as to what to expect and what, if anything, we would have in common given our age difference of 46 years!
However, we have built a strong, trusting relationship which is based on fun but also allows us to talk about the issues of the day and what is going on in his life and his future aspirations. Our shared adventures have ranged from Go Karting, indoor climbing, attending a pottery class, and going to the theatre to see the play he is studying for GCSE. Or a simple dog walk and catch up over a coffee! I see Jake once a month and it is very easy to find times to meet that work for both of us.
It has been an absolute pleasure to see his confidence grow and his willingness to trust and educate me on the issues facing young people in care today. Being an Independent Visitor has reinforced my belief that the best thing you can give young people is your time and consistency.
I would encourage people of all ages to consider volunteering to be an Independent Visitor. It’s truly life changing for both you and the young person you support.
*Name changed to protect the identity of the people we support.
We are delighted to share that we have won the ‘Most Flexible Workplace’ award at the 2025 Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards.
The awards took place on Thursday 20th March at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The event was not just about celebrating, but also about learning and sharing ideas about how companies can make workplaces a happier place for everyone.
At Advocacy Focus, we believe it is important to help our people work in a way that works for our charity, whilst giving people that much-needed life balance. This means being flexible with things like working hours, working from home, unlimited annual leave, and supporting each other. Winning this award shows that we are on the right track.
We were also finalists in three other categories:
Wellbeing Team of the Year (SME)
Most Inspiring Leadership Visionary
Most Inspiring Wellbeing Champion
We are so proud of what our team has achieved. Creating a supportive workplace where our people can truly thrive is at the heart of what we do, and this recognition means a lot.
A huge thank you to the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards and to everyone who helps make our workplace so special!
Advocacy Focus is delighted to announce that we have successfully retained our Trafford Advocacy Hub contract for a further five years and will continue to deliver high quality advocacy services for the people of Trafford. This means that people will continue to receive vital support from our charity, when facing issues related to health and social care services.
As part of this contract, we will provide statutory advocacy services and continue to develop our hugely successful ‘Mission Impossible’ peer and self-advocacy group. Advocacy Focus’ starting point will always be self-advocacy and advocacy awareness and helping people to learn the skills they need to advocate for themselves and their family and friends. Therefore, a wide range of free online resources, information and support will be available to all Trafford residents.
Our local, experienced team remains dedicated to helping people, ensuring their wishes and views are listened to and their rights are upheld. This new contract is a testament to the trust and confidence that the Trafford community and the local authority places in our services.
Over the next five years, we will continue to work tirelessly to provide high-quality advocacy support to those who need it most.
Justine Forster, CEO of Advocacy Focus, shared:
“We have delivered an independent Advocacy Hub on behalf of Trafford Council for almost seven years. During that time, our team on the ground has listened and responded to the community’s needs and gone above and beyond to help them achieve their advocacy outcomes. This new contract gives our charity a further five years to build on our service offer and work even harder for the people of Trafford.”
Advocacy Focus has announced the launch of its new Unlimited Annual Leave Policy, effective from April 2025 for all current and new team members.
CEO, Justine Forster, had this to say about the change:
“We’re committed to fostering a culture of trust, flexibility, and well-being. As part of our ongoing efforts to prioritise our teams’ health and wellness, we are excited to announce the launch of our Unlimited Annual Leave Policy.
This new policy gives our team the freedom to take time off as and when they need it to rest, recharge, and spend time with family, friends, or on personal projects. By shifting away from a traditional approach to annual leave, we plan to enable our team to maintain a healthy work-life balance whilst still delivering exceptional results. We hope it will also encourage people to consider working for our charity and help us to retain the amazing people in our team, in what can be a challenging recruitment environment.
A fairly new concept, there has been some general scepticism around unlimited annual leave policies. However, the team at Advocacy Focus has worked flexibly and autonomously for years, so they are trusted to decide what works best for them, as long as they deliver excellent work for our beneficiaries and hit their organisational targets.”
Justine continues, “We believe that when people are trusted to manage their time and given the opportunity to recharge, they come back more engaged, creative, and motivated. This is just one of the many steps we are taking to enhance the workplace experience at Advocacy Focus, and it’s reflective of our values of innovation, collaboration, and team well-being.
We are proud to lead the way in offering benefits that put our people first, and we are confident that this new policy will further strengthen the strong culture of accountability and performance we have built together.”
About Advocacy Focus
Advocacy Focus is a leading charity dedicated to providing advocacy services for people making potentially life changing health and social care decisions. Our mission is to equip people with the skills and tools they need to speak up and be heard when it comes to decisions about their lives, and care and support needs.
With a decade-long commitment to workplace wellbeing, and three times winner of Top Employer in Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index, we prioritise the mental health of our team to deliver exceptional advocacy services. We help people live the lives they want to live.
Advocacy Focus is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded funding from the National Lottery to support the operation of our Community Focus Hub in Burnley for the next three years. This incredible support will enable us to continue serving the local community with advocacy support on the ground.
The Community Focus project, which launched in February 2024, has supported over 276 people in East Lancashire. Helping them with everything from health and social care to housing, benefits, employment, education, and training. Our Community Team is focused on making a real difference to people’s lives, whilst giving them the skills to advocate for themselves in the future. We were so committed to the project and the importance of preventing people from needing crisis advocacy, that we funded its launch through our charity’s reserves.
The money we have been awarded will keep the doors of our Burnley Hub open and well-staffed. It will allow us to continue to offer a friendly and welcoming space for anyone who needs a little extra help. Whatever situation a person is facing, around health, housing, or benefits, or if they are looking for support with employment or training, our Community Team will be there to help. The Hub opens on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10 AM to 2 PM for drop-in support.
As our Hub is also an official ‘Warm Space,’ thanks to a small funding pot from Lancashire County Council, anyone can drop by for a hot brew and a chat with the team – another way we are doing our little bit to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation during the long winter months.
If anyone would like to be more involved in our Hub, either by volunteering or helping us to raise much needed funds, please get in touch. We are always grateful for any support and help our communities can offer us.
Thank You to National Lottery Players
This would not have been possible without the players of the National Lottery, whose contributions directly support initiatives like this.
About Advocacy Focus
Advocacy Focus is a leading charity dedicated to providing advocacy services for people making potentially life changing health and social care decisions. Our mission is to equip people with the skills and tools they need to speak up and be heard when it comes to decisions about their lives, and care and support needs.
With a decade-long commitment to workplace wellbeing, and three times winner of Top Employer in Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index, we prioritise the mental health of our team to deliver exceptional advocacy services. We help people live the lives they want to live.
We often hear about the great work that Advocacy Focus does, but nothing compares to seeing it in action firsthand. Recently, I had the privilege of spending some time with the incredible team at Advocacy Focus, and I wanted to share my experience with you.
From the moment I arrived, I was deeply moved by the genuine care and passion of the people I met. It’s clear that Advocacy Focus isn’t just a job for its team – it’s a calling. Every person I spoke with radiated a sense of purpose, compassion, and dedication to making a real difference in the lives of those they support.
Seeing the positive impact Advocacy Focus has on its people and the communities it serves has only deepened my pride in being a Patron.
One of the highlights of my visit was spending a day at the Community Hub. While the day wasn’t particularly busy, you could feel the relief and gratitude in the air as people spoke with the team who were providing support. The approach was all about working together with those they helped, making sure each person understood the steps in the process, and respecting their choices along the way. The teamwork was seamless, with everyone supporting each other with a calm and steady presence. It was a beautiful example of how collaboration can create the best solutions.
I also had the chance to chat with someone about the challenges of managing volunteers. What struck me the most was their refreshing attitude. Despite the difficulties that come with recruiting and retaining volunteers, they remained positive, adaptable, and full of determination.
On the second day, I spent time with a team member at a hospital ward. If you want to see passion for the job, they are the person to watch. They approached everything with professionalism, thoroughness, and, most importantly, kindness. Watching them advocate for each patient with such dedication and care was nothing short of inspiring. Even in tough situations, they remained calm and focused on what was best for the people they were helping. It was clear that they genuinely care about the people they work with, and it was an honour to see them in action.
Lastly, I spent time with another member of the team during a couple of home visits. They are a true professional who approaches every situation with empathy and expertise. Their ability to navigate difficult conversations and their deep care for the people they advocate for truly stood out. It was a privilege to see how their work makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.
What really stood out to me during my time with the team was how much everyone spoke so highly of their work environment. I asked the people about their experiences, how they felt supported, and whether they had the resources to grow both professionally and emotionally. Without exception, everyone expressed how proud they were to work for Advocacy Focus. They felt cared for, appreciated, and supported – a testament to the incredible leadership provided. Seeing the positive impact Advocacy Focus has on its people and the communities it serves has only deepened my pride in being a Patron. I am in awe of the dedication and heart I saw during my time there, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of such an amazing organisation.
We will be closing for Christmas & New Year from 4pm on Tuesday 24th December and we’ll be back at 9am on Thursday 2nd January 2025.
We recognise that people will still need support and help, so we’ve put together a list of services and resources that are available to you. We hope you have a safe and lovely Christmas, and wish everyone a happy New Year.
(Click on the names below to visit the services website.)
A simple and essential resource! Just type in your postcode or address, and Hub of Hope will list all the services that are available to you in your local area.
Charity that helps support people living with eating disorders. They also equip family and friends with essential skills and advice to help their loved ones recover, whilst also looking after their own mental health.
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
The Samaritans have a confidential helpline that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which is free to phone. They are available for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
A free, confidential helpline dedicated to helping older people, who may be feeling isolated, confused, or lonely. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Offering a listening ear and emotional support to anyone who has lost someone they love, or been affected by bereavement. All calls are answered by trained Cruse volunteers. View their open times on their website.
On Wednesday 16th October, Advocacy Focus held an amazing Fashion Fundraiser with Lancashire Women!
The event took place at the beautiful Mitton Hall, and it was a night full of fashion, fun, and community spirit. Guests watched a fabulous fashion show from Willow Tree Boutique, shopped at local stalls, and donated to our “Gift of Glam” appeal. A stall full of preloved items with a call to recycle and reuse whilst raising vital funds.
Together, we raised an incredible £1,642! This money will be shared equally between Lancashire Women and Advocacy Focus and will provide local services for local people.
Special Thank You To Our Supporters
Our amazing sponsor, PM+M, for supporting this event from the start.
Lancashire Women, for being with us on this journey and helping to make a difference.
The 10 incredible local businesses that had stalls at our event – you helped make it happen!
Our fantastic team, for your hard work and creativity.
And of course, our wonderful attendees and fashionistas! Your support and energy made the night truly special and will help us continue the important work our charities do.
Your Support, Our Impact:
Thanks to fundraising, our work helps create real change across Lancashire:
7,000+ people received important advocacy services this year, helping them speak up and be listened to in important decisions.
236 people have been supported through our Burnley Community Focus Hub, making sure local people can access vital resources.
151 people have been connected with essential services and support networks through our Community Focus Hub for help with health, housing, and social care.
52 hours of community support is provided every month.
Together, we are building stronger, more resilient communities and ensuring that everyone is listened to and heard. Thank you for standing with us!
Support the Work We Do
We are so grateful for the support we have had for this event, and we welcome anyone who would like to continue to help us. If you would like to support our work, the JustGiving pages for both our charities are included below:
In return for your support, we can create a special corporate and social responsibility package that will benefit both your team and your business whilst helping local people.
Lancashire-based charities, Advocacy Focus and Lancashire Women, are teaming up to host their first joint Fashion Fundraiser on Wednesday 16th October at Mitton Hall Hotel in Clitheroe.
The evening promises a stylish celebration, with a runway show by Willow Tree Boutique, stalls from local businesses, and a charitable twist—attendees will be encouraged to purchase pre-loved clothing donated to the charities ahead of the event.
The event aims to raise crucial funds to support both charities’ missions, which focus on advocacy, empowerment, and support services for people across Lancashire who need help during challenging times. Proceeds will directly aid services like mental health advocacy, women’s support, and family services in the community.
Doors open at 6:30 pm, with a glass of Prosecco on arrival, kindly sponsored by local firm PM+M, adding an extra touch of glamour to the evening. A raffle with prizes donated by local businesses will also take place, with all funds raised shared equally between the two charities to enhance their local services for local people.
Tickets are £10 and are available through TryBooking. This is a unique opportunity to combine a passion for fashion with a chance to give back and support vital community initiatives. Early booking is advised as spaces are limited.
