Advocacy Focus

Care isn’t free for everyone.

Sometimes, when someone needs care, a financial assessment is done. This helps decide how much they might need to pay.

Our latest Family and Friends booklet is here to help you understand what to expect. It explains:
- What a financial assessment is
- How it works
- What it could mean for you or your family

Find this and more, including helpful videos, on our Family and Friends Focus page:
https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/family-and-friends-focus/

🤝 Thinking about volunteering?

We’re looking for compassionate people to join our volunteer team and support people across our communities.

From community support to mental health advocacy and supporting young people, there are a range of roles available.

Find out more or apply today: www.advocacyfocus.org.uk/volunteer

📣 We’re looking for an Independent Advocate to join our team and help provide specialist Statutory Advocacy to residents across Trafford.

Find out more and apply: https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/careers/independent-advocate-trafford/

Got FOMO from all the marathon content last month? 👀🏃‍♂️

You can still sign up for a charity place at Manchester Marathon 2027 with Team AF!

Whether you’re an experienced runner or thinking about taking on your first marathon, we’d love to have you on Team AF. We’ll support you every step of the way 💜

Sign up here: https://runforcharity.com/charity-registration/advocacy-focus/manchester-marathon/register

Yesterday we celebrated our wonderful Maureen, who is retiring after an incredible 16 years with Advocacy Focus 🧡💜

As our longest serving team member, Maureen has been a huge part of our journey, supporting countless people, colleagues and communities along the way. Her dedication, kindness and commitment have made a lasting impact that will not be forgotten.

Thank you, Maureen, for everything you have given to Advocacy Focus over the years. We wish you a retirement filled with happiness, relaxation and lots of well-deserved adventures!

Please join us in wishing Maureen all the very best for her next chapter ✨

Fresh air, good company, and a well-earned brew ☕🐾

Yesterday’s wellbeing walk saw our team (and three lovely pooches!) enjoying a couple of hours together, finishing up with lunch and a catch-up afterwards.

Next stop: Lytham… will we see some sunshine soon? ☀️🤞

📣 We’re now accepting referrals for Community Advocacy support in Trafford.

Our Community Advocates provide early support for adults with health and social care issues, helping people understand their options, access services, and stay independent and in control.

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we’re able to expand this support into Trafford and help more people access advocacy before situations reach crisis point.

🔗 Find out more here: advocacyfocus.org.uk/services/trafford-community-focus/

🌱 Hope grows when you understand your rights.

When people are supported to understand what they are entitled to and what is possible, they are better able to take action and shape their own lives.

With the right advocacy support, small steps like asking for a review or raising a question can lead to significant changes in a person’s independence and daily freedom.

That is what happens when rights are understood, acted on, and upheld.

*Name changed.

This year’s International Day of Families focuses on how inequality can affect children’s wellbeing and the support families can get.

When families are facing hard times, clear information and knowing where to get help can make a big difference. That’s why we created our 'Understanding the Child Protection Process' booklet - to help families understand what is happening, what support is available, and what their rights are.

🔗 Check it out here:https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Understanding-the-Child-Protection-Process.pdf

Every family should be able to get clear information, support, and services that help children and young people do well.

🌱 Hope begins with being listened to.

Lauren* came to Advocacy Focus after a difficult experience in hospital alongside her partner. She needed support to feel able to raise her concerns and be listened to.

With advocacy support, she was able to share her experiences, speak up about what had happened, and help influence positive change in hospital practice.

When people are listened to, confidence grows and change becomes possible.

That is an act of hope.

*Name changed

A Million Acts of Hope