By Samuel Court, Director at Nexus Care Services
Over the past few weeks, I have spoken with several families who have all raised the same challenge, the difficulty of advocating for their loved ones.
Not in an abstract, political sense, but in the very real, day-to-day fight to ensure that their loved ones’ rights are respected and their needs are met.
Whether it’s pushing for the correct funding, securing access to vital benefits or equipment, chasing faster medical appointments or simply making sure someone has a voice when they cannot speak up for themselves.
Advocacy has never felt more critical in the world of care and yet many people still struggle to get themselves heard, especially where they don’t have family to support them.
Why do people feel lost in the social care system?
I have asked myself this question many times. These systems are meant to be there to help and support people and yet the health and social care system can feel like a maze.
Support is available, but knowing where to find it, how to access it and what you’re entitled to can be overwhelming.
Families and individuals tell me that they often feel “lost” as they complete endless forms, get put on never-ending waiting lists and get conflicting advice from one healthcare professional to the next.
This isn’t a critique of any one official body, as they all have incredibly challenging roles to fulfil, but this disconnect leaves individuals confused without the support they desperately need.
Advocacy is about voice
Advocacy is ensuring that those who are most vulnerable, whether through illness, disability, or circumstance, are not drowned out by a complex system.
By being a voice, whether as a professional, a carer or a family member, you help safeguard someone’s rights and dignity.
At Nexus Care Services, we see advocacy as central to our mission and values. We believe in person-centred care and deliver tailored support to the individual, respecting their wishes and making sure they are more than just a name on a list.
So as not to contribute to the problem, we make the process of receiving care quick and easy, without creating barriers that may prevent the delivery of much-needed support and companionship.
Fighting for what is right
Advocacy isn’t always easy. It means challenging decisions, questioning processes and sometimes being the “difficult” person in the room.
However, it also means refusing to settle for less than what someone is entitled to, whether that’s the right care package, the right medical intervention or the right emotional support for families trying to cope with a difficult and alien situation.
Tenacity and perseverance are key. Picking up the phone, sending a letter, drafting an email, attending meetings and never giving up.
Red tape can be choking at times, but it isn’t going away, so we must as carers amplify the voice of those who rely on our help.
Behind this battle lies a human being with dignity, fears and a right to be heard.
Advocacy strengthens families
Families often tell us that having an advocate, whether a care professional or simply someone experienced enough to guide them, makes the difference between despair and determination.
When you know someone is in your corner, fighting alongside you, the challenges feel more manageable.
Advocacy doesn’t just secure better outcomes for the person receiving care. It provides peace of mind for loved ones, who know they have someone on their side who understands how the system works.
Our responsibility as a care provider
At Nexus Care Services, we believe advocacy is everyone’s responsibility. Families, neighbours, care professionals and the wider community.
We all play a part in ensuring that no one is left voiceless. Together, we can challenge the status quo, raise awareness of support that exists and hold institutions accountable.
Most importantly, we can make sure that every individual, no matter how complex their condition or challenging their circumstances, is seen, heard and respected.
Leading the charge
As we move forward, I encourage families and professionals alike to embrace advocacy.
Speak up, ask questions and do not be afraid to push for what is right.
As an organisation we intend to do more and are always exploring ways to work with local agencies, politicians and communities to help those without a voice.
We hope many others will join our cause as we shed light on this much underappreciated aspect of care.
