1. Michael Clark Advocate

2. Independent Advocacy for Adult Victims of Crime and Antisocial Behaviour

3. What is AVoice?
Independent advocacy for vulnerable adults affected by crime and antisocial behaviour in the following areas only:
Bristol
Bath and North East Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Somerset
North Somerset
A partnership between:
TCF - The Care Forum (lead agency)
SEAP - Support, Empower, Advocate, Promote
SARI - Stand Against Racism & Inequality

4. Client groups AVoice advocates for anyone over 18 years with:
Mental health issues
Learning difficulties
Physical difficulties
Problems associated with old age
Problems associated with social exclusion or isolation
AVoice also advocates for anyone over 18 years affected by issues relating to culture and identity, in particular:
Race
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Religion and belief

5. What is advocacy? Advocacy can:
Research options to support informed choices
• Help people have their voice heard
• Secure their rights
• Represent their interests
• Obtain services
Core Values:
• Independence
• Free from conflict of interests
• Consent and confidentiality - subject to statutory exceptions

6. What do we do?
Provide practical assistance to vulnerable adult victims of crime who have additional needs
Provide face to face and over-the-phone advocacy for the short and long term (depending on the victim’s needs and the circumstances of the case)
Offer victims information about the different options available to them and support victims' decision-making
Signpost to relevant agencies using the Well Aware database
Provide information about the criminal justice process to help victims navigate within it (in a way that is easy for them to understand)
Use a multi-agency approach to assist victims with high-level needs

7. We will not ... Tell the victim what to do
Act or share information without the victims permission (unless they are lacking in capacity)

8. All hate crime cases can be referred to SARI

9. Referral Process Referral E-mail / Telephone Well Aware (Triage)
Case allocation to Advocates
Phone call to client (within 3 to 5 working days)
Scoping/Assessment/Signposting

10. Contact Details AVoice The Care Forum Vassal Centre Gill Avenue
Fishponds
Bristol
BS16 2QQ
Freephone number:
Web: