About Southend Mencap’s Advocacy Service
Our service ensures people with learning disabilities are heard, valued and treated fairly.
Southend Mencap has provided advocacy for adults with learning disabilities since 1999. We support residents in Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, Rayleigh and Castle Point. We work with families and professionals to ensure rights are respected, continuing our history of independent support across the local area.
Our Service Aims
- 1. Supporting people to have a voice: Helping those who struggle to be heard. 2. Helping people understand their rights: Providing clear information for informed choices. 3. Empowering people to speak up: Building confidence to access services independently. Our advocacy service focuses on these three key goals.
Today, we continue to provide essential independent advocacy to empower individuals. We stand alongside you to ensure your views are heard and your rights are protected throughout Southend-on-Sea and its surrounding areas.
Who Can Use Our Advocacy Service?
Our advocacy service is for adults aged 18 and over who have a learning disability and live in Southend-on-Sea, Rochford, Rayleigh, or Castle Point. We help you have your views heard.
What Can We Help With?
- Our advocates can support you with many different issues, including benefits, housing, employment, finances, and personal choices like holidays. We also help with relationship guidance and community conflict resolution.
We can help you understand information, think about your options, and speak up about what you want. Referral processes differ by area, with special arrangements for Southend-on-Sea residents.
Not sure if we can help?
If you are not sure whether we can help, you can still contact us and we will talk it through with you to find the best way forward.
Standing by your side to ensure your choices come first.
From 1 April 2025, Southend Mencap works in partnership with South Essex Advocacy Services under Southend City Council’s Advocacy Contract.
- South Essex Advocacy Services is the lead organisation. Referrals for Southend residents are made through the Southend Advocacy Hub.
Ways to refer:
• Online: Southend Advocacy Hub website
• Referral form: General Advocacy Referral Form
• Email: advocacy@southessexadvocacy.org
Advocacy Referrals for Rochford, Rayleigh and Castle Point
Data Protection and Confidentiality
We take your privacy seriously. We handle personal data in line with UK requirements and collect only what is needed to provide our service and keep you safe. We explain why we collect it and how it is used.
Our Policies
Read more about how we handle your information:
• Data Protection & Information Collecting Policy
• GDPR Easy Read Policy
Compliments, Comments and Complaints
We welcome your feedback. Your compliments and suggestions help us improve what we do.
- If you want to share something that went well or raise a concern, please see our Compliments & Complaints Policy document for full details on how to give feedback.
Contact Southend Mencap
Get In Touch
Please contact us if you need more information or are not sure if we can help.
Southend Mencap, 100 London Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1PG
Telephone: 01702 341250
Email: sharon.paxman@southendmencap.co.uk