Group advocacy events
Join online and in-person group advocacy across Scotland.
Group advocacy (also known as collective advocacy) brings people together to share their experiences in powerful ways.
Our group advocacy sessions can support you to come together in a group setting and discuss a problem or issue that affects you. With the support of an advocate, you’ll have the opportunity to have your voice heard, speak about your own personal experiences and interact with people who are facing similar challenges. How you get involved is up to you: sessions will be face to face and online.
By getting involved, you can:
- Make connections with other people with lived experience
- Raise awareness of issues which affect you
- Influence professionals who make decisions that affect everyone
What will group advocacy sessions be about?
You might like to talk about the application process, re-determinations and appeals.
Benefits advocacy drop-in sessions
Meet an advocate to chat about your situation, and find out what support is available. You don’t need to make an appointment.
When: Wednesdays weekly 10am - 12pm
Where: The Salvation Army, 36 Wardieburn Drive, Edinburgh, EH5 1BZ
When: First Thursday of every month, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Where: Food Facts Friends Community Pantry, 42 John Street, Penicuik, EH26 8AB
When: Second Tuesday of every month, 10am - 12pm
Where: Loanhead Library, The Loanhead Centre, George Street, Loanhead, EH20 9LA
When: Wednesdays weekly 9.30am - 11.30am
Where: Ayton Community Hall, High St, Ayton, TD14 5QL
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays weekly 10am - 4pm
Where: Wester Hailes Job Centre, Murrayburn House, Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes Road, Edinburgh, EH14 2SP
When: First Tuesday of the month, 10am - 12pm
Where: Dalkeith Library, 1 White Hart Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1AE
When: Second and fourth Thursdays of the month, 1.30pm - 4pm
Where: Eyemouth Job Centre, Upper Houndlaw, Eyemouth TD14 5BS
When: Tuesdays weekly, 9am - 10am
Where: Coldstream Community Larder Church Hall, Coldstream Parish Church, High Street, Coldstream, TD12 4DH
Unpaid carers
You might like to talk about carer’s assessments, housing or dementia.
The issues we discuss will be led by you.
Do you have a topic you’d like to discuss? We’d love to hear from you.
Unpaid carers drop-in sessions
Meet an advocate to chat about your situation, and find out what support is available. You don’t need to make an appointment.
When: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month 10am – 12pm
Where: McDonald Road Library, Edinburgh EH7 4LU
When: Fridays weekly, 10am - 4pm
Where: The Thistle Foundation, Centre of Wellbeing, 13 Queen’s Walk, Edinburgh, EH16 4EA
Upcoming events
More events coming soon - please keep an eye on this page.
If you would like to attend any events or find out more, please email groupadvocacyscotland@voiceability.org or call 03003031660.
Group advocacy sessions in Edinburgh
In 2024, we ran 4 groups ran in each of our localities, Edinburgh South West, South East, North West and North East.
For details of upcoming groups for 2025, please email groupadvocacyscotland@voiceability.org or call 0300 303 1660.
Get involved
To register your interest in joining a group advocacy event, find out what’s coming up, or to suggest a discussion topic, please:
- email groupadvocacyscotland@voiceability.org, or
- call 0300 303 1660
Social Security Scotland benefits