Advocacy
Advocacy is a partnership between two people - an advocate and a person who has experienced any form of discrimination. People who are disadvantaged or vulnerable may need help in expressing their views and opinions to ensure they are not restricted in their opportunities to lead normal lives.
The advocate's task is to represent, where necessary, their partner's views and interests as if they were their own. Advocates offer support and understanding, sometimes enabling their partners to speak for themselves.
Advocates also gather information, allowing their partner to make informed choices.
You may be able to get help from people like your local councillor or Member of Parliament or from a specialist advice or advocacy organisation such as the Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Your local councillor
The best way to contact your local councillor is to write to him or her. You can explain your problem clearly and your councillor will have written details of your case to help them represent you. Their address and contact details can be found on this website or alternatively, you can write to them via the council.
Your Member of Parliament
Your Member of Parliament (MP) can only help you with problems where Parliament or central government has responsibility. Your MP is not there to help you in private disputes with other individuals or with companies who have sold you faulty goods, or, for example, to interfere with decisions made by courts.
The best way to contact your MP is to write to him or her. You can explain your problem clearly and your MP will have written details of your case to help them represent you. You can
email your MP (opens in a new window) 
or write to them at:
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Alternatively, you can either visit your MP at one of their local surgeries or phone the House of Commons and ask to be connected to your MP's office (Phone: 020 7219 3000)
Your local Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB)
Citizens' Advice Bureaux give free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of subjects, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment and consumer issues. To contact your nearest CAB, drop-in or phone during opening hours or write.
