Independent Advocacy and Older People:

Ceartas provides Independent Advocacy to older people in East Dunbartonshire.

Independent Advocacy is a way for older people to get information about their rights, about the services and support they can access, to have as much control as possible over their lives, and to make sure their voices are heard properly.

As people get older, their needs change. They may find themselves in need of care or support that they have never needed before. They might be thinking about things like:

  • Getting aids or adaptations in the home.
  • Asking from help from Social Work or a private care provider.
  • Granting Power of Attorney and other aspects of future planning.
Older People

East Dunbartonshire has one of the oldest population profiles of any Scottish local authority area. We would expect that many of the issues that older people face in Scotland – poor health, social isolation, unfamiliarity with technology – will be more prevalent in East Dunbartonshire than in other areas.

Ceartas can help older people to negotiate their way through this unfamiliar landscape of services and support, giving them information about their options, and making sure they get the help they really want.

  • Sarah
    Even a ten minute chat on the phone made me feel so much better. I was becoming frustrated and annoyed at not getting what I needed from services, but talking to my Advocacy Worker kept me grounded and stopped me from losing the rag with anyone.
    Sarah
    Service User
  • Mark
    I am usually apprehensive about contacting organisations in fear of being passed pillar to post. I was delighted when I contacted Ceartas: although I didn’t need advocacy, you talked me through local services that I needed.
    Mark
    Information enquiry
  • Elizabeth
    I live quite a long distance away from my sister. When she needed to get some more support in place for her dementia, the information about local services and support that you were able to give me was invaluable. I can't thank you enough.
    Elizabeth
    Long-distance carer
  • Sandra & John
    Thanks for discussing things and then sending us some information in the post: we have now started the Power of Attorney process.
    Sandra & John
    Service User
  • Marie
    Thank you for your support at the last meeting. It’s great having somebody independent in my corner: not sure what I would have done or where I would be otherwise.
    Marie
    Service User
  • Alex
    When I call Ceartas everyone is always so kind and helpful. They are all a really good group of people.
    Alex
    Service User
  • Agnes
    I can pick up the phone and advocacy support is always there, ready to listen and help me understand things better.
    Agnes
    Service User
  • Alecia
    It’s a really tricky role you’ve had in this case but you’ve done so effectively.
    Alecia
    Social Work
  • Derek
    After waiting months, you got the ball rolling with a number of things and for that I thank you.
    Derek
    Service User
  • Richard
    I felt like I was facing a brick wall until I started receiving support and information from Ceartas. The outcome of that has led to a much better relationship with the rest of the family, and now we are all pulling in the same direction.
    Richard
    Carer
  • Joanne
    I didn't know that there was anything I could do about my situation, let alone that I had options. I feel so much better knowing that I can turn to Ceartas for information when I need it.
    Joanne
    Service User
  • Olivia
    Absolutely thrilled with the service. I wish my family all stayed in East Dunbartonshire and could access it!
    Olivia
    Carer
  • Ashleigh
    Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. It’s appreciated more than you will know.
    Ashleigh
    Carer
  • David
    It's really nice to know that someone is listening to me and taking me seriously. Other people seem to think that my problems are trivial and aren't worth bothering about, but that is not true. My Advocacy Worker helped me to make my point in such a way that I couldn't be ignored, and now things are starting to improve as a result.
    David
    Service User
  • George
    There is always someone there at Ceartas for me, no matter who takes the call.
    George
    Service User
  • Thomas
    Thanks so much, this is almost a miracle! Can you do anything for Partick Thistle while you’re at it?
    Thomas
    Carer