THIS week, we are shouting about the Swindon Advocacy Movement - which just received a whopping £71,995 grant from Children in Need.

The charity has fought for the rights of vulnerable people for more than two decades by helping them understand information, make decisions and gain control over their lives when dealing with official procedures.

The free advocacy service began in 1995 to support people with learning disabilities who had been released after long stays in institutional care to live independently around the town. Since then, it’s expanded to help people with mental health issues, autism, and Asperger’s.

SAM’s children and family advocacy manager Collette O’Sullivan said: “It’s all about levelling the playing field so that anyone, regardless of their support needs, can have their voice heard. We believe everyone has the right to a good life where they can be part of their community, make friends and feel safe, so we encourage clients by offering different activities.”

These include computer classes and out-and-about sessions where clients explore the town in a group as aprt of a social event. Three years ago, the service received funding to carry out statutory work and act as independent advisors for people who had just been detained under the Mental Health Act and people being assessed for care needs. It also protects the interests of people who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves and have no one else to represent them.

After Colette completed a lengthy application process, Children in Need awarded the charity funding which will go towards employing a new enabler and advocate to run an Action for Independence for Young People programme with one-to-one and group activities for youngsters with learning disabilities which will help them improve their wellbeing, confidence and self-reliance abilities.

Colette added: ““We are hugely grateful to BBC Children in Need for this allocation of funding. Young people with support needs are often not given the opportunity to learn life skills and practice them in the real world. Our advocates will meet with the young people to determine what goals they would like to set for themselves.

"The advocate will then provide the support for the young person to practise taking the small steps to reach their goal.

“The difference that our advocate offers is that they will provide the young person with the space, time and positive support to attempt new things, like speaking to the bus driver themselves or paying for their own bus ticket. Things that sound small, but to the young people we support, really are life-changing.”

The charity’s clients, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their gratitude for the service.

One said: “The advocate helped me get the right support and I do not think I would be here now if it wasn’t for the advocate and the support they got me. I was so desperate and they stopped me being confused and muddled.”

Another said: “Thank you so much for coming. I felt more comfortable to say I don’t understand with you by my side. Thank you for being a great advocate, to help me get what I needed”

Children in Need fund eight projects in Swindon with a total of £295,000 in grants. The organisation’s regional officer for the south and west Richard King said: “Our application process is thorough and applicants must show that they can make a tangible difference through their work. I’m happy to say that the organisations funded in this round have demonstrated a strong level of quality and a need for their services, which will support positive change for young people in the area.”

For more information, visit swindonadvocacy.org.uk or call 01793 542575.

Is there something in Swindon that you think is worth shouting about? Get in touch on 01793 501734 or email daniel.angelini@newsquest.co.uk