Advocacy service chosen for appeal (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Advocacy service chosen for appeal

IT is all set to be a good year for the South Wiltshire Advocacy Network, which has moved to new offices and been chosen as the beneficiary of the 2005 Mayoral Appeal.

The charity provides free and confidential help and support for vulnerable people living in the Salisbury district.

A team of advocates works with people who are elderly, disabled or have mental health problems, helping them to speak out about issues affecting or worrying them.

Advocates can support their clients at meetings, reviews and appointments, help them to write letters and make phone calls, prepare appeals and provide information to help them make choices about their lives.

They can also advise carers, relatives and friends of vulnerable people and help ensure their opinions are heard and respected, while avoiding telling those they help what they ought to say or think, or making decisions on their behalf.

Swan often helps people who have experienced problems with healthcare services, employers, councils or other organisations, and the advocates are good listeners with effective negotiating skills.

Although Swan does not offer legal services, it can help clients find solicitors and ensure they understand what is going on.

More than 500 people have benefited from Swan's help since the charity was formed six years ago and the team has now moved to larger offices on Milford Street, where they hope they will be able to help even more vulnerable people.

Awareness of the organisation is likely to increase with its selection by Salisbury's new mayor, Patrick Paisey, as the beneficiary of his appeal.

Throughout the year, a series of events will be held to support Swan's work.

A summer ball on Friday, June 24, will start the fundraising and a garden party and quiz night are also planned.

A group of Roundheads will be holding the new mayor to ransom as part of the festivities before Salisbury Show, on Saturday, July 9, when they will drag him through the streets of Salisbury to Old Sarum as they collect 'ransom' money, which will go towards the appeal.

At the official opening of the new office on Monday, Mr Paisey said: "Swan needs a higher profile and, by making it the subject of my appeal, I hope they will get it."

To find out more about Swan, visit the office at 26 Milford Street, or call 01722 341851.