Youth Advocacy and Participation (YAP)
Our Youth Advocacy and Participation Service provides advocacy for children and young people in the Colchester and Tendring areas.
We offer young people help to get their voice heard in:
- Meetings
- Making complaints
- Compliments and representation
- Health and Social Care
- Education and Schools
- Mental Health
- Housing
- Children with disabilities
Why would I want an advocate?
Do you have time when you have meetings where adults talk about you as if you weren't there or no one is listening to you? If so that's where we can help…
…by making sure they hear you!
…by getting answers to your questions!
…by getting adults to understand your wishes and feelings!
We are not here to do what's in your best interest like other adults, we just say what you want. We can't guarantee to get you what you want but we can get your voice heard and you can become part of the decisions made about you life.
We offer advocacy to any young person in need.
- We work for you.
- It is up to you how long we work for you.
- We can work for you for as long or as little as you like.
It's your decision.
We only accept referrals from young people. You can find us at the Junction, 78 Maldon Road, Colchester CO3 3AL. Telephone 01206 541841.
If you are a young person in care you are entitled to an advocate under the Children's Act. We visit children's units in Colchester and Tendring and can advocate for you if you are in foster care or living independently.
YAP offers Independent Mental Health Advocacy for young people who are sectioned under the Mental Health Act or on compulsory treatment in the community. We attend Longview at least twice a week to offer advocacy to young people in the unit.
We have a specialist worker who works with young people who have difficulties with communication. We also work with young people with disabilities.
What we don't do
- Family therapy
- Counselling
- Liaison between you and your family
- Tell people what you say to us unless you are in danger (child protection, harm to yourself or others or against the law)
Advocacy School Project In Transition between Year 6 and 7
What is a schools advocate?
- Someone whose job is to listen and understand you (not to get you to agree with them).
- Someone to make sure adults listen to you (if that is what you want).
- Someone to help you understand what is happening to you (at school, at home or with your friends).
- Someone to help you find solutions to worries or problems.
- Someone to off load to (and who won't judge or tell you off).
When to talk to a Schools Advocate?
- If you can't or don't want to talk to your teacher, carer, parent or foster parent.
- If you don't know who else to talk to.
- If you want to talk to someone in confidence.
- If you want to talk to someone who won't tell you what to do.
What sort of things do schools advocates help with?
- When you're frightened, sad or worried - about anything.
Bullying - Friendship problems
- Conflicts with school, teachers, social workers or any other authority.
- Problems at home.
Where can I find a schools advocate?
Secondary Schools
Sir Charles Lucas Arts College
Thomas Lord Audley
Alderman Blaxhill
Primary Schools
Monkwick
Kingsford
St Andrews
Mersea Island
Montgomery
Hazelmere
Young Peoples Advisory Board (YPAB)
Who we are and what we do
The YPAB was set up to work besides Colchester Mind @ The Junction. It is a panel of young service users who meet once a month to monitor and assist the Junction. It is our role to ensure that staff are providing a reliable, practical and successful service.
We aim to promote a positive view of young people and to develop a clearer understanding of our problems. Fighting for empowerment and against stereotyping and stigma are main areas where we will be making our opinions known.
Things that we do
- Help to monitor the service from a young person's perspective
- Funding and investigating sources of income
- Representing young people's points of view in local government, heath and on children's rights issues
- Developing services at the Junction
- Ensuring that the Junction is young people friendly
Youth Advocacy and Participation - Schools Project
This piece of research sets out to provide a detailed account of the work undertaken by the Schools Advocacy Project, part of Colchester Mind's Youth Advocacy and Participation (YAP) service.
Contacts
Admin
Claire Barrett
Advocacy Coordinator
Suzanne Free
Advocates
Ian Brown
Lisa Wicks
Advocates (Schools Project)
Tim Chante
Claire Askham
Marion Barnard
Contact Us
For further information contact Colchester Mind Head Office on 01206 579080 or email enquiries@colchestermind.org or write to 7 Oxford Road, Colchester, Essex. CO3 3HN.
