@VoiceAbility

We'll make sure you're heard when it matters most. We’re an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services.

 UK
voiceability.org
Joined February 2009
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  • Following3.7K
  • Followers10.8K
1.3KMedia
2,000+ people with a learning disability and autistic people are being detained in mental health hospitals. The average stay is 5 years. This is leading to trauma and loss of life. #UseYourPower to change this. Sign to call on @DHSCgovuk and @NHSEngland to improve support 👇
A dark blue graphic with white text, which reads: Use Your Power to stop the detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people. Use Your Power is written inside a yellow speech bubble with a megaphone. VoiceAbility logo is in the top right. Hashtag UseYourPower is at the bottom.

ALT A dark blue graphic with white text, which reads: Use Your Power to stop the detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people. Use Your Power is written inside a yellow speech bubble with a megaphone. VoiceAbility logo is in the top right. Hashtag UseYourPower is at the bottom.

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We're wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone here at VoiceAbility! ❄️🎉🌟 We hope you're able to find some joy and comfort at this time — but if you need support, advice is available on our website 24/7. Our lines reopen from Friday 2 January.
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Our phone lines and web chat are open today (Wednesday 24 December) from 9am-5pm — but will be closed at certain times over the holiday period. Advice is available on our website 24/7 if you need support: voiceability.org/support-and…
Square dark purple graphic with white snowflakes. Dark yellow and white text reads: VoiceAbility holiday opening times. Phone lines and webchat. Wed 24 Dec: 9am-5pm. Thurs 25 Dec-Sun 28 Dec: closed. Mon 29 Dec-Wed 31 Dec: 9am-5pm. Thurs 1 Jan: closed (England). Thurs 1 Jan-Fri 2 Jan: closed (Scotland).

ALT Square dark purple graphic with white snowflakes. Dark yellow and white text reads: VoiceAbility holiday opening times. Phone lines and webchat. Wed 24 Dec: 9am-5pm. Thurs 25 Dec-Sun 28 Dec: closed. Mon 29 Dec-Wed 31 Dec: 9am-5pm. Thurs 1 Jan: closed (England). Thurs 1 Jan-Fri 2 Jan: closed (Scotland).

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Fantastic to see so many VoiceAbility colleagues at the National Advocacy Conference today in Birmingham - kicking off Advocacy Awareness Week in style 👏💜👏 So many good conversations. Big thanks to @KMercerTraining for hosting 🙌 #AAW25 #WhyAdvocacy #AdvocacyWorks
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We recently delivered a #CoProduction workshop to support the development of a new person-centred community model for people with #LearningDisabilities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Find out more below 👇 #Inclusion #LivedExperience #ExpertsByExperience
Speak Out Leader Sean speaking into a microphone at a podium in front of an attentive audience seated at round tables in a conference room. A quote is layered over the top which talks about the benefits of co-production.

ALT Speak Out Leader Sean speaking into a microphone at a podium in front of an attentive audience seated at round tables in a conference room. A quote is layered over the top which talks about the benefits of co-production.

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The event brought together people with lived experience, and health, social care, and education professionals. This is a key step towards improving outcomes, strengthening access and building more inclusive services for adults with learning disabilities. voiceability.org/news/co-pro…

Co-Production Success in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Our recent Lived Experience Engagement Programme workshop demonstrates the impact of co-production and the value of involving people with lived experience.

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17-year-old A-level student Tori was detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act for her own safety, when self-harm became a threat to her life. She asked for advocate Eve’s support, because she was worried that the hospital would discharge her before she felt ready.
An illustration of two people sat down talking over a table on a bright blue background. A quote from Tori is layered over the top which says she felt confident talking to doctors with her advocate's help

ALT An illustration of two people sat down talking over a table on a bright blue background. A quote from Tori is layered over the top which says she felt confident talking to doctors with her advocate's help

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With Eve’s help, Tori was able to understand her rights and have her wishes respected in decisions around her discharge. Read Tori’s full story: ow.ly/PihK50WMf8Q

VoiceAbility | Advocacy stories

How advocacy makes a difference.

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Find out more about advocacy for children and young people: voiceability.org/about-advoc… #Advocacy #AdvocacyAwareness #AdvocacyMatters #HumanRights #ChildrenAndYoungPeople *To protect people's privacy, we sometimes don't use their real names, but their stories are genuine.

Advocacy for children and young people

Specialist support is available for some children and young people Specialist support is available for some children and young people

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Fantastic news, and well deserved! It was great to work with Professor Lobo and others on a self-advocacy toolkit to support people living with inflammatory bowel disease 💜
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"It's like a big buddy scenario, I can talk to him from a different angle — not as a parent, but as a mentor." We spoke to Don, who volunteers with us as an independent visitor — a role for adults who are able to offer long-term support to a child or young person in their area.
A light blue square graphic with white text and a quote from Don, an Independent Visitor Volunteer, about the rewarding feeling of seeing a young person's smile and giving more than you receive.

ALT A light blue square graphic with white text and a quote from Don, an Independent Visitor Volunteer, about the rewarding feeling of seeing a young person's smile and giving more than you receive.

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"When you see someone has been through challenging times, if I can do something to address that in any small manner to have a positive impact on their development, confidence, and emotions, then that is a great feeling." Read our full interview with Don: voiceability.org/news/when-y…

Independent Visitor Don on his role volunteering with young people

A retired policer officer has spoken about the “feel-good factor” he gets from his voluntary role supporting children and young people in care.

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"Many schools say they have no young carers" ⁉️🫢 Our very own Dominic, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, joined the BBC Breakfast sofa to discuss 🎥
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'Breaking down barriers – that's what we're here for.' Advocate Linda Maguire was recently interviewed by Clydesider Magazine about our #SocialSecurityScotland benefits advocacy service. #SocialSecurityScotlandBenefits #DisabilityBenefits #DisabilityRights
A photo of Linda sat in an office in front of VoiceAbility benefits support posters. Purple text reads: The disability benefits applications can be very overwhelming. Some people are just like, I can't even open the envelope’ But we go through it with them and with each appointment you can see the weight is getting lifted off their shoulders. It's a good journey to be on. Linda Maguire, advocate

ALT A photo of Linda sat in an office in front of VoiceAbility benefits support posters. Purple text reads: The disability benefits applications can be very overwhelming. Some people are just like, I can't even open the envelope’ But we go through it with them and with each appointment you can see the weight is getting lifted off their shoulders. It's a good journey to be on. Linda Maguire, advocate

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The service provides free 1-1 support to help anyone who identifies as disabled access benefits from Social Security Scotland. It's also available to parents, guardians or carers accessing benefits for a disabled child. Watch the full video interview: ow.ly/vh9I50Wzizy
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You can also read more in our news article: ow.ly/ypOq50Wzizx If you need support to access Social Security Scotland benefits, then please make a referral on our website, call us free on 0300 303 1660, or email [email protected].

VoiceAbility advocate on how she supports disabled people in Scotland

VoiceAbility advocate Linda speaks about her work supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits.

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Lived experiences shape real change. Recently, four people who work with VoiceAbility shared their perspectives on disability, contributing to the new 10-Year Health Plan inquiry. This #DisabilityPrideMonth, we're spotlighting Jon 👇
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Jon reveals the challenges he and his family have faced trying to get NHS care — and what he thinks needs to change. He also explains how his battles have fuelled his determination to help other families in his role as a Speak Out Southwark Leader. voiceability.org/news/disabl…

People with lived experience of disability give evidence at NHS 10…

Four people who work with VoiceAbility have shared their experiences of disability as part of an inquiry into the new 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS.

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VoiceAbility retweeted
CSA@candsalliance4 Jul 2025
Yesterday, thanks to over 2000 campaigners who sent invitations, we welcomed MPs to our #ShowUsYouCare event in Parliament. Our attendees heard about the 3.5 million people unable to get the support they need and how we can work together to change this. (1/5)
Photo of a group of people holding signs that say 'I care!' There is an MP, two working age adults in wheelchairs, and several unpaid carers.

ALT Photo of a group of people holding signs that say 'I care!' There is an MP, two working age adults in wheelchairs, and several unpaid carers.

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Clients can access free support over the phone or on our webchat, where our Client Advisers can help with applications or answer questions about the process. Free support is also available from: @VoiceAbility Money Talk Team Local Authorities More ➡️ bit.ly/SSSFreeSupport
A Client Adviser helping a client with an application in-person with the wording "free support is available to help people apply for our benefits"

ALT A Client Adviser helping a client with an application in-person with the wording "free support is available to help people apply for our benefits"

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We're in London today with Speak Out Leader Sean Nightingale at the @candsalliance's #ShowUsYouCare parliamentary event. People with lived experience of adult #SocialCare have been speaking to the govt about the reality of the system: the good, the bad, and what needs to change.
A photo of Sean Nightingale and MP Ben Obese-Jecty. They are both smiling. They are standing in front of a Care and Support Alliance banner and holding a sign which reads: We Care!

ALT A photo of Sean Nightingale and MP Ben Obese-Jecty. They are both smiling. They are standing in front of a Care and Support Alliance banner and holding a sign which reads: We Care!

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Sean (pictured above with MP @BenObeseJecty) commented: "Support from social care helps me to live the life I want to lead." For more information on the event and the alliance, visit: ww.careandsupportalliance.co… #ShowUsYouCare #LivedExperience #SocialCare
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