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Mental Health Advocacy in Suffolk

VoiceAbility Suffolk provides an advocacy service for people with mental health problems in Suffolk and has offices in three locations:

• Ipswich for East Suffolk
• Lowestoft for Waveney
• Bury St Edmunds for West Suffolk

VoiceAbility Suffolk believes that people with mental health problems should be able to make the same choices as anyone else about things that matter to them. We also believe they have a right to know what is happening to them, and why. Our aim is to help people whenever they feel their views are not being heard.

What is Advocacy?

Some people find it difficult to speak up for themselves and ask the questions they want to. Those who provide services are sometimes unable or unwilling to hear what people are saying to them.

Advocacy is a way of supporting people by helping them put their views forward and ask their own questions.

How does VoiceAbility Suffolk help?

We are an independent organisation and offer a free and confidential service. These are some of the ways we can help:

• We can help you to prepare for a meeting with your consultant or social worker, by working with you to sort out questions you want to ask about whatever is concerning you
• We can come with you to an appointment, or a case conference, or a mental health tribunal, to make sure you have your say
• We can help you write a letter, or write one on your behalf - for example, to a solicitor or a housing office
• We can support you when relationships with family or friends become difficult
• We can help you find out about medication - for example, side effects and alternative treatments
• We can help you to make an official complaint if you think that a service provider has let you down

Our advocacy workers have followed an advocacy training programme, attended various training courses and conferences and have gained a thorough knowledge of the mental health system. We don't give advice, particularly in areas of finance and benefits, but if this is what you need, we will direct you to those who provide it.

We will try to meet with clients as soon as possible and usually within 1-2 weeks of the initial contact. People can self refer, ask a relative/friend to refer for them or a professional can contact us with the clients consent.

Our offices are open weekdays from 9.30am to 4pm. There may be occasions when the offices aren’t manned due to client meetings or training etc, however messages can be left on the answerphones and will be returned as soon as possible. At our Ipswich office, you can also leave written messages at the main reception at St Clements Hospital.

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Ipswich Office

The Ipswich team are based at an office located in the grounds of St Clements Hospital.
We have three part time advocacy workers, and an advocacy development worker, who specialises in working with minority ethnic communities.

Contact Names

• Jill Coleman - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Tricia Hazelton - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Sharon Lee - Advocacy Development Worker
• Rosie Livingstone - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Micaela Doucette - Lead Administrator
• John Ross - Volunteer
• Bob Higham - Volunteer

St Clements Hospital
Foxhall Road
Ipswich
IP3 8LS

Telephone 01473 329671
Fax 01473 274422
Email: ipswich@voiceability.org

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Lowestoft Office

We have two part time advocacy workers. They are available to see clients at our community office in Alexandra Road, or another venue which is mutually convenient.

Contact Names

• Kathryn Holland - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Christina Sparksman - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Tamara Vincent – Administrator
• Christine White - Trustee

42 Alexandra Road
Lowestoft
NR32 IPJ

Telephone 01502 561200
Fax 01502 583647
Email: lowestoft@voiceability.org

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Bury St Edmunds Office

The office is based in Bury St Edmunds, however, we are able to see clients at other venues throughout West Suffolk, such as Newmarket, Thetford, Halesworth, Sudbury or Diss (to name just a few). We will do our best to see clients at a mutually convenient place and time.

Contact Names

• Zoe Crane - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Julie Jeans - Advocacy Worker (part-time)
• Teresa Collard - Administrator
• Nikki Sullivan - Volunteer Advocacy Worker
• Bob Evans - Advocacy Worker (part-time)

The Coach House
50 Long Brackland
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 1JH

Telephone 01284 765925
Fax 01284 723382
Email: bury@voiceability.org
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Below are some of the comments made by our clients:

'I was perfectly satisfied with the advice given me and found the staff warm and friendly on every occasion'

'Deborah worked with me - the service provided by her was excellent - she was able to think outside the box and understood my case exactly. No professional solicitor or social worker could have done better in this difficult and demanding case, thank you'

'I just want to say I appreciate the help I received. Thank you'