We provide Individual Advocacy for people 

• living in East Lothian or Midlothian
• aged between 18-65
• who identify as LGBTQIA+

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If you would like to speak to one of our advocacy workers, please get in touch:

phone: 0131 273 5118
or email: advocate@capsadvocacy.org 

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What is individual advocacy?

We all need support to speak up sometimes. In the LGBTQIA+ community you may have experiences where you didn’t feel you were listened to, understood or treated fairly by services because of your identity.

An individual advocacy worker is there to be by your side to support you to say how you feel and what you want to happen, and help you to have a stronger voice with other services.

Our advocacy workers can support you to:

• Prepare for and attend meetings
• Have your say
• Get information you need to help you make your own choices and understand your options

What can we help with?

We can help you to have your voice heard in all sorts of issues. This could include:

• Gender identity clinic appointments
• Speaking to your doctor
• Meetings about your education
• Raising issues with services when you’ve had a bad experience
• Getting advice when you need it e.g. Citizen’s Advice or solicitor

We can’t give you advice or legal representation on your situation ourselves or act as counsellors or befrienders. We are there to help you explain your point of view and what you want to happen so we will never tell you what to do or take anyone else’s side except yours.

How does CAPS work?

We are independent of all other services such as health, the council and the voluntary sector.

This means we are there just to be on your side.

Our service is free of charge and provided by trained advocacy workers.

We will not pass on anything you tell us without your permission, unless you or someone else is at risk of harm.

If you would like to speak to one of our advocacy workers, please get in touch:

phone: 0131 273 5118

email: advocate@capsadvocacy.org 

More information

Individual advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people leaflet (updated April 2024)

Working with Individual Advocacy Working with Individual Advocacy Leaflet (updated October 2021)