Advocacy West Wales – A voice when you need it most
Natasha Fox – Chief Officer and Independent Advocate
I joined AWW (then called MAP) in 2012. It has been the most significant work role of my life and career; to advocate alongside the people we support and, since 2014, to lead and continue to develop the organisation and the team. Each and every advocacy relationship is a privilege – supporting people to self-advocate, to work through their options and choices, to get their views heard and support them in accessing services they need and upholding their legal and human rights. Sometimes we enter someone’s life briefly, sometimes advocacy relationships continue for months and years, but good advocacy done well makes a positive impact for the people we support.
Kate Bailey – Community Advocate/Professional Lead
I have worked as the Community Mental Health Advocate in Pembrokeshire since 2009. Before my role as an advocate I had worked in a wide range of employment within the statutory and voluntary sector. These roles have always involved working with people from different backgrounds and ages.
Nia Williams – IMHA (Carmarthenshire)
I have been an Independent Mental Health Advocate with Advocacy West Wales sine 2014. Prior to this I have worked for years in the voluntary sector and social care with people with mental health problems or domestic abuse. All my roles have involved empowering people, and I am also a Welsh speaker.
Sarah Thomas – IMHA (Carmarthenshire)
I have worked within voluntary organisations for many years, supporting both adults and young people and making sure their voices are heard. I also have experience of working within the field of domestic abuse and with older adults with Dementia. As an Independent Mental Health Advocate I work with people with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and mental health issues, mostly in a hospital setting, but also within the community. I am a Welsh learner.
Rebecca Arnold – Community Mental Health Advocate – (Pembrokeshire)
I have over 8 years’ experience working in the voluntary sector with adults, children and young people. My work has included coordinating a Perinatal Mental Health project, supporting families affected by domestic abuse and citizen advocacy on a Community Voice project. I also have experience of working with with older adults in their own homes and a care setting. I started learning welsh when I moved to West Wales in 2014 and plan to continue until I am a proficient welsh speaker
Kate Roberts – Community Mental Health Advocate – (Pembrokeshire)
I work part time as a Community Mental Health Advocate in Pembrokeshire. Before joining AWW, I gained over 10 years experience of working in third sector organisations and have experience of supporting people with mental health, homelessness, drug and alcohol issues and working with survivors of abuse. I have recently returned to live in Wales and can speak Welsh at a basic conversational level and I am looking to practice and improve this with the hope of being able to offer advocacy support in Welsh.
Elaine Lewis – community mental health advocate
I am a Community Mental Health Advocate for Carmarthenshire with Advocacy West Wales and was previously employed by Eiriol in the same role. I have a well-informed background of the experiences people with mental health issues sometimes face, the barriers they may encounter, the importance of having their voices heard and becoming more involved in decisions that are made about their lives. I also have a good working knowledge of advocacy, having worked for over 20 years in a variety of third sector organisations that have included outreach work in addition to advocacy. I have supported people and families to achieve their goals by working through their options, rights and getting their views heard. I have a BA First Class Honours Degree in Advocacy and hold a Higher Education Certificate in Advocacy. I am a welsh speaker and in my spare time I advocate the benefits nature has on well-being.
Abi Alexander – community mental health advocate
I am a community mental health advocate in Ceredigion. I joined AWW in December of 2021. I have lived in Wales for 7 years and am always reminded of what a beautiful part of the world it is that I live in. I have begun learning Welsh and would like to continue until I have at least a basic conversational level. I have a varied working background that has helped me develop the skill set needed to be an advocate and the insight into issues that people may be facing. In my spare time, I enjoy writing and exploring more of the Welsh countryside.
Clare Singleton
Clare was an advocate with Eiriol since 2012 before moving to Advocacy West Wales. Clare previously worked in various adult mental health settings within Wales. She has worked both residentially and in the community, and is fully trained in Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) and Non-Instructed Advocacy. Clare holds an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certificate in suicide first aid. She is a Dementia Friend and qualified in 2018 to lead shared reading groups. She also has an Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) award in team leading. In her spare time, Clare is an enthusiastic gardener.
Daryl Jones
I have extensive experience working with adults who have learning difficulties, autism, and mental health disorders. In my previous role, I worked for 15 years as a support worker and deputy manager, where I upheld the rights and values of the individuals within the home. To further my knowledge and understanding, I have obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with first-class honours in mental health. I am thrilled to be joining Advocacy West Wales as an Independent Mental Health Advocate and 3CIPA. I am looking forward to working with a great team to provide excellent service to all clients across West Wales. I am currently learning Welsh.
Robert Phillips
I’ve always had a passion for helping those who feel without a voice to have that heard. To that end I have worked in voluntary and statutory roles helping people be actively involved in their own care and support. With over a decade in statutory mental health services I believe I have a good appreciation of difficulties users of mental health services face in both navigating the system and being listened to. I feel very strongly people should be encouraged to voice their opinions and also have them heard when deciding on the care and support they receive and how they receive it.
Sue Williams – Client caseworker (3 counties)
I currently work on Drop in services in Carmarthenshire. Before taking on this role I worked for five years as an IMHA in Carmarthenshire. I have a varied work background including support work with adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues and with women and children suffering domestic abuse.
Joanne Davies – Client caseworker (3 counties)
I am a Client Caseworker for Advocacy West Wales, which means I am the first point of contact for clients who access our service. I have 30 years’ experience in an administrative role with Dyfed Powys Police, where I was also the first point of contact for members of the public. During my time working for the Police, I was divisional coordinator for Ceredigion with Mind (the mental health charity’s) Blue Light Programme, which is run by volunteers within organisations who are passionate about mental health and the need for support for colleagues in the emergency services, who regularly witness distressing events. I am a fluent Welsh speaker and am happy to provide a bilingual service to clients and professionals alike.
Alison Elford – Client Caseworker
As a client case worker I am first point of contact for people who want to use the service. I am also a relief cover for the Mental Health Advocate Drop Ins.
I have 5 years’ experience as a welfare support worker within the 3rd sector supporting adults with mental health issues, helping to connect them with other services. I have good knowledge and experience of working with veterans and veteran services.
Peggy Spooner – Client Caseworker and Project Development Officer
Peggy has a master’s degree in Social Studies. Before joining Advocacy West Wales she worked for Eiriol and managed the Eiriol ‘Triage, Duty and Pool’ advocacy system which has beneficially increased the management of client referrals. Peggy provides support for the advocates and manages the data recording system measuring client outcomes. She is the first contact for referrals and enquiries. Peggy holds an Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) qualification. Peggy is a Dementia Friends’ Champion; a mental health first aider and has undertaken training in social media, digital tools and managing difficult clients. Peggy is a keen, skilled baker and enjoys painting and sketching.
Sue Blantern – Administrator/Office Manager
Having worked in the voluntary sector since 1998, I have a wide experience in a range of organisations and charity roles. My background is in community ICT support and training along with administration and project co-ordination. I am Office Manager at AWW-EGC, supporting the Chief Officer, Trustee Board and advocates, in a varied and interesting post. My work involves office administration, payroll, HR and financial processes among a number of things. As I work for AWW-EGC on a part time basis, I also work as an IT tutor and freelance ICT trainer outside of the organisation.