Resources: Advocacy & Legal Support

Bristol Law Centre

Bristol Law Centre is a charity providing free information and legal advice on specialist areas of social welfare law to people who could not otherwise afford access to justice, as well as representing these clients in court.

Galop

Galop are a LGBTQIA+ anti-abuse charity, providing support to LGBTQIA+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. They provide helplines, advocacy, online support communities, and dedicated services for LGBTQIA+ children and young people.

GRT Bristol

GRT Bristol is Bristol City Council’s information resource for Gypsy, Roma, Travellers and Boatpeople. Support is also provided through dedicated drop-in centres.

POhWER – Bristol Advocacy Services

POhWER provides a range of advocacy services in Bristol:

  • Community / Outreach Advocacy, for adults with learning disabilities and/or mental health needs who need support with a particular issue
  • Citizen Advocacy, for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical/sensory impairment, and/or older people who need support with health and wellbeing issues
  • BAME advocacy for people from BAME communities with a mental health issue, including inpatients on psychiatric wards and people living in the community experiencing serious mental or emotional distress.

Resolve West

Resolve West is an independent, charitable organisation with over 30 years’ experience of providing a confidential service to people experiencing conflict or crime. Their expertise is in helping individuals and communities to resolve their differences,with services offered to those living in Bristol and the surrounding areas of Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.

Resolve West is also one of the organisations involved in the Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Service.

Shire Advice Service

Shire Advice Service provides information, advice, and advocacy covering welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment rights, consumer issues and family issues to people in the Shirehampton area of Bristol.

St Pauls Advice Centre

St Pauls Advice Centre offers free advice on financial matters, employment, housing, immigration, and a number of other matters to the people of St Pauls. Legal advice, and advice in languages other than English, are also available.

SWAN advocacy – Bristol Services

SWAN (South West Advocacy Network) offer a range of advocacy services in Bristol:

  • VOCAS (Victims of Crime Advocacy Service), allowing adult victims of crime to access advocacy and practical and emotional support to cope, recover, and engage with the criminal justice system.
  • Independent Care Act Advocacy, for individuals with a substantial difficulty going through a care act process without an appropriate person they would like to support them.
  • Independent Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA), providing advocacy to individuals under the Mental Health Act
  • Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocacy (IMCA), providing advocacy to vulnerable adults who lack the ability to make important decisions and do not have family or friends to help them.

SWAN Advocacy – South Gloucestershire Services

SWAN (South West Advocacy Network) offer a range of advocacy services in South Gloucestershire:

  • VOCAS (Victims of Crime Advocacy Service), allowing adult victims of crime to access advocacy and practical and emotional support to cope, recover, and engage with the criminal justice system.
  • Independent Care Act Advocacy, for individuals with a substantial difficulty going through a care act process without an appropriate person they would like to support them.
  • Independent Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA), providing advocacy to individuals under the Mental Health Act
  • Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocacy (IMCA), providing advocacy to vulnerable adults who lack the ability to make important decisions and do not have family or friends to help them.
  • Generic Advocacy, issue-based and time limited advocacy for adults.

Victim Support

Victim Support offer free, independent, and confidential advice and support to anyone who has been affected by crime, including a 24-hour helpline, and advocacy for victims of domestic abuse.