Advocacy Service Aberdeen (ASA) have received continuation funding for their in demand domestic abuse advocacy service.
ASA is a charity based in Aberdeen providing free, independent advocacy support to people within the city. They were established in 1996 and support over 1000 individuals each year. For those who are unfamiliar with what independent advocacy is, it is about speaking up for and standing alongside individuals or groups who find themselves in vulnerable positions and supporting them to have a voice which is not influenced by the views of others. It helps address imbalances of power that people may experience when trying to navigate health and social care systems and it ensures that an individual’s human rights are recognised and respected.
ASA are based at Willowbank House in Aberdeen and also have office space within Royal Cornhill Hospital. Currently they have several advocacy services available to people living in the city. Services available provide advocacy support for unpaid carers, victims of domestic abuse, people who have a mental disorder (including a learning disability), children and young people, older adults, people who have issues related to substance use and also people with autism. The service operates Monday to Friday, usually between the hours of 8.30am and 5pm. The recent news of securing funding from The Henry Smith Charity and also The National Lottery has been gratefully received by the charity and will help them to continue their vital support for victims of domestic abuse. This project supports in the region of 400 individuals each year. The charity also received further good news in relation to the contract with Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership. ASA were awarded a new contract from the partnership to provide independent advocacy services locally to people living in Aberdeen City.
To find out more about the charity and their services or to see how they could help you or someone you know, you can visit their website www.advocacy.org.uk or call them on 01224332314.