Our objectives
Vocal is a small independent advocacy organisation operating in South and West Devon including Torbay, that helps adults with communication difficulties to understand and exercise their rights, make informed choices and speak up for themselves. Whilst we specialise in supporting people who have a learning disabilities, we can also support people who have brain injuries, dementia or mental health issues. We support some of the most socially marginalised, powerless and disadvantaged individuals to have the same range of life choices as everyone else, putting them much more in control, of “what they do, when they do it ,and how they are supported“. Vocal is a membership organisation, essentially user led. Our members; people who have used our services, are at the heart of everything we do, and their involvement through regular whole organisational meetings , and local members groups are critical to Vocals ongoing development.
Our activities
Vocal's main activity is one-to-one advocacy, however we also offer services including training, person centred planning and independent quality monitoring or care packages.
Our advocacy work can support people to exercise choice and make decision about their lives, eg their care, where they live, who they live with and how they spend their time. Whilst we can not always ensure that they get exactly what they want we do ensure that their voice is heard by decision makers. This includes supporting parents who have a learning disability.
Our advocates use a wide range of techniques and strategies – including technology and other media, to ascertain the views and wishes of people who have complex communication needs.
Over the past few years Vocal has begun to grow and expand as an organisation. The Lloyds Bank Foundation supported us to develop and implement an income generation strategy, aimed at enabling us to fund expansion of our advocacy services ( which must be offered free at the point of delivery.) We also were one of only 16 advocacy organisations nationwide selected to receive three years funding from the Henry Smith Trust for a strategic project aimed at showing the cost effective benefits of advocacy for government and local authorities. This has enabled us to expand our services; our objective is that income generation can sustain them longer term.
Vocal has a reputation locally for the high quality of its services. We hold the national advocacy quality mark. We may be small, but we are effective, enthusiastic and innovative.
