Some examples of the work of CAPOLD
(All names have been changed and situations anonymized)

‘Susie’
Susie is an older lady who lives with her sister since her parents died a few years ago. She was in an advocacy partnership for approximately two years. The partnership did not achieve the outcome that was Susie’s priority when she first came to the scheme, which was to move into her own home. This was because during the course of the partnership, Susie began to gain self-confidence and the relationship with her sister improved significantly. Susie realised that she would actually be lonely living on her own and that she wanted to stay with her sister. A great deal of work was done with Susie to ensure that this was her own decision and that she was not just saying what she thought people wanted to hear. Since the partnership began Susie has started at college and got involved in many creative activities. She appears much happier and, for the first time ever that her sister has heard, has spontaneously declared that she is happy. She has also given up smoking!

‘Albert’
Albert was an older gentleman with Down’s syndrome and the onset of dementia who had been living in a large group home for about fifteen years. The large home was in the process of being broken up into smaller, supported living establishments and there were questions being raised by the authority that provided funding for Albert about the cost of the accommodation being requested for him. They were suggesting that he be moved to a nursing home on account of his dementia and were looking into ‘appropriate’ places. It was difficult to get Albert to clearly state what he wanted but it was clear that he enjoyed being around the people that he had lived with for some time and that he was very content with the support he received from the support staff working there. The advocate made the point that he had a right to be supported by those that knew him well. Also, that the decision to move him should not be made on financial grounds alone. He was in and out of hospital and very unwell at times, but staff continued to visit him and it was evident from his face that he was pleased to see them. After some difficulties the funding authority agreed that Albert could stay in the home that had been prepared for him. He died just after Christmas having spent it surrounded by people he knew and loved and who understood and cared about him.

‘Roger’
Roger is a man in his mid thirties who lives in a supported bed-sit with staff available 24 hours a day. He has now been in an advocacy partnership for over a year. The initial referral was made because Roger was being encouraged to move into a home which he would part own, and that this home would be shared with his girlfriend. The whole process was being pushed along rather quickly and there were concerns as to whether this was actually what Roger wanted. He was partnered with an advocate who began working with him around this issue of where he lived. It became clear that Roger did not understand what it would mean to part own a home, that he was not clear about whether he wanted to do this and that he actually did not want to live with his girlfriend! This has since been put on hold while Roger is supported to look into the different possibilities of places to live. Other issues that have come up for Roger have been the way that staff support him and being able to have access to his own money. He is also being supported to get some help with finding a job. Roger was someone who very rarely said yes or no, preferring to be a little elusive in his answers, saying ‘I think so’ or ‘I don’t know’, often possibly because he was not sure of what was being asked of him. Since working with the advocate he is now much more ready to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in answer to a question and is much clearer about what he wants. He is more aware that this is his life and that he has a choice in what he does. He appears to be more confident and now initiates conversation rather than waiting for people to talk to him.