Independent Advocacy and Physical Disability:

Ceartas provides Independent Advocacy to people in East Dunbartonshire with Physical Disabilities.

Independent Advocacy is a way for people with Physical Disabilities 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.

Ceartas can support people with Physical Disabilities with issues like:

  • Accessing disability support services.
  • Housing and Workplace support.
  • Upholding rights under Equalities legislation.
Three wheelchair users and three walkers.

Ceartas can support people with Physical Disabilities by giving them information about their options and their rights, supporting them with accessing services and support, and making sure they get the help they really want.

  • 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.

    Service User
  • It’s a safe group to come to and nobody judges you for anything.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • Good confidence builder!

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • I enjoy volunteering and its really good to get to know everyone.

    Volunteer
    De Café
  • 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.

    Service User
  • I was glad it was Monday this morning as I’ve got this group on Mondays. I like this wee group.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Thanks again, class was really good, lovely people.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • [Staff] do a great job supporting us in many ways especially emotionally when we are having a bad day.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Very understanding of my memory issues and love the related activities.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • [Staff member] helped me so much when I lost my husband, she made me feel like I was needed again, which is exactly what I needed at the time.

    Volunteer
    A Bite and A Blether
  • De Café is essential for families and carers living with dementia alike, it makes both feel not so alone living with dementia.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • I really enjoyed the group yesterday, it was really interesting with lots of good info.

    Group Member
    ABI Café
  • Before I started [the group], I thought that I could never do this, but as weeks go on, I have found it getting much better

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • I come here to be cheered up.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Even a ten minute chat on the phone made me feel so much better.

    Service User
  • Everyone makes you feel welcome. Staff and volunteers make you feel welcome. They are great.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Just a quick message of thanks to you guys.  You’ve made me feel welcome at a low time in my life.  The lowest I’ve ever faced.  I really appreciate it.

    Group Member
    Walk 'n' Roll
  • I look forward to writing every week.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • There is always someone there at Ceartas for me, no matter who takes the call.

    Service User
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • It’s a really tricky role you’ve had in this case but you’ve done so effectively.

    Social Worker
  • It has been great for her, she has come on so much since starting to come along.

    Family
    A Bite and A Blether
  • What a team you all are. Thank you to Ceartas. I wish I’d known about you when I cared for my mum. On the way home, [my friend] said she was so happy and felt totally uplifted from her afternoon out.

    Carer & Group Member
    Ceartas Groups
  • Thank you for all you do for me and my husband.

    Carer & Group Member
    De Café
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. It’s appreciated more than you will know.

    Advocacy Partner
  • Thanks so much, this is almost a miracle!

    Advocacy Partner
  • I much look forward to the outing every month.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • I like coming here because I know people’s faces and don’t have to worry about saying the right thing.

    Group Member living with Dementia
    A Bite and A Blether
  • It’s a lovely wee group from the volunteers to the folks who attend.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • When I call Ceartas everyone is always so kind and helpful. They are all a really good group of people.

    Service User
  • After waiting months, you got the ball rolling with a number of things and for that I thank you.

    Advocacy Partner
  • He looks forwards to his lunch club and I think his speech and mind benefit from it afterwards having been stimulated.

    Family
    A Bite and A Blether
  • What a good job you've done focusing and empowering me so many thanks!

    Advocacy Partner
  • I can pick up the phone and advocacy support is always there, ready to listen and help me understand things better.

    Advocacy Partner
  • Thank you so much for everything you do. You have no idea how much this means to us.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Absolutely thrilled with the service. I wish my family all stayed in East Dunbartonshire and could access it!

    Advocacy Partner
  • Thanks for discussing things and then sending us some information in the post. We have now started the Power of Attorney process.

    Service User
  • It was wonderful to you see again and be with friends, joining in at Bite and Blether. The loneliness was certainly put aside and replaced with love and laughter being amongst everyone.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would have done without you and Ceartas. I need to stop talking as I can feel my bottom lip quivering.

    Advocacy Partner
  • I enjoy time with friends.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • The group is educational and I now see things in different ways.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • I was out visiting a client yesterday, she comes to both Bishopbriggs & Kirkintilloch groups, she is really struggling but has nothing but praise for you all.

    Local Area Coordinator
  • I want to express my deepest gratitude for the wonderful experience and the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful cause.

    Volunteer
    A Bite and A Blether
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • 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.

    Service User
  • Very interesting and good source of information and good company.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • For me, it was meeting other, new people that benefited me most.

    Group Member
    Walk 'n' Roll