VoiceAbility marks two years of Shetland independent advocacy service
An independent advocate has spoken about what it means to support people to be heard in Shetland as the service marks two years under national advocacy charity VoiceAbility.
Amy Kington works for VoiceAbility, which started a contract with the Shetland Islands Council in July 2024 to provide free independent advocacy support for adults and children on the islands to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing.
This has included providing independent advocacy to adults and children with an assessed need and/or diagnosed mental health disorder, as well as those with an assessed need and/or diagnosed learning disability or autism spectrum disorder, and unpaid carers, including young carers, with an assessed need – all who are in receipt of services provided by Shetland Islands Council and/or NHS Shetland.
Advocate Amy said: “I became an advocate because I experienced first-hand the struggle of not having my voice heard when I was younger. As a mum to a disabled child, I understood the unique challenges many families face. I wanted to be the voice I never had, helping others to articulate their needs and navigate the system with confidence.
“Supporting people in Shetland is both rewarding and fulfilling! We’re dedicated to ensuring that no one feels lost amidst life’s complexities
When locals reach out, they can expect a compassionate ear and a professional approach tailored to their unique situation.
“I’m most proud of the community connections we’ve built – helping families navigate challenges and ensuring every voice is heard is the true highlight of our work.”
Ruth Macmillan, Executive Manager for Adult Social Work at Shetland Islands Council, said: “We are pleased to have the contract with VoiceAbility in place to ensure that people in Shetland have access to advocacy support if they need it.
Advocacy plays a vital role in ensuring that people are heard, empowered and able to influence the decisions that affect their lives.
Emily Johnston, VoiceAbility’s Operations Manager for Scotland, added: “Reaching our two-year anniversary is a fantastic milestone and an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact this service has had for people and families across the Shetland Islands.
“Amy’s passion, professionalism and commitment to the people she supports have been central to the service’s success. The relationships she has built and the confidence she has helped people gain demonstrate the real value of independent advocacy.
We believe every person deserves to have their voice heard and rights respected, and intend to build on the strong foundations established over the past two years to ensure even more people are aware of the support available to them.
If you think yourself, a family member or friend would benefit from VoiceAbility’s independent advocacy support in Shetland, you can call the advocacy charity for free on 0300 303 1660 or make a referral via VoiceAbility’s website – voiceability.org/shetland.