Community Focus, a brand new ‘community hub,’ has opened in Accrington town centre for people looking for free and confidential advice about their health and/or social care.
The community-focused initiative by Advocacy Focus was opened by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Mohammad Ayub with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Community Focus – an initiative by Advocacy Focus in Accrington Arndale with The Mayor, Councillor Mohammad AyubAccrington-based charity, Advocacy Focus, has launched the hub in response to an increasing need for health and social care support in the region.
Justine Hodgkinson, CEO of Advocacy Focus, said:
“The Hub’s main focus is to take our advocacy service into the community and provide people with the knowledge and skills to self-advocate, source information and seek free, confidential advice.
“The Hub will help people with their health and social care needs and enable people to live the lives they want to live.”
Advocacy is all about helping people to have a say and voice their views and wishes when decisions are being made about their lives.
Advocacy Focus can help people who are being supported by social services, those who reside in care homes, people who are undergoing care planning, unpaid carers and many more, including those who can’t communicate their thoughts or wishes due to illness or disability.
Community Focus – an initiative by Advocacy Focus in Accrington ArndaleJustine continued:
“Over the last few years, we have developed our community advocacy approach to support the complex needs of local people. Our innovative ‘pop up’ advocacy events reached people directly in their areas, removed barriers to advocacy and provided timely access for Lancashire people. Our new drop-in service in Accrington will be another place where people can go to get the help they need and to understand more about how advocacy can support them.”
“Community Focus is about making sure that people get the help and support they need when they need it.”
Community Focus will help people seeking advice and support on; mental health services, their care and support needs, care planning, assessments and reviews and those who wish to make a complaint about the NHS or Social Services, plus more. We can also support unpaid carers.
Justine finished:
“We want people to know that they have somewhere to go and someone to talk to if they or a loved one are becoming increasingly frustrated with their health or social care. We aim to help people in any way we can, so if we can’t support them we will always aim to signpost them to somewhere that can.”
- Community Focus is located in the Accrington Arndale opposite Dorothy Perkins and is open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
To find out how advocacy can work for you, visit our website at www.advocayfocus.org.uk