*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Someone To Speak Up For You Advocate

If you find it difficult to understand your care and support or find it hard to speak up, there are people who can act as a spokesperson for you.

They make sure you're heard and are called advocates.

For example, they can help you:

understand the care and support process
talk about how you feel about your care
make decisions
challenge decisions about your care and support if you do not agree with them
stand up for your rights

They can write letters for you and attend meetings with you.

Advocates will support you during:

assessments
care and support planning
safeguarding and reviews

Advocates are independent of social services and the NHS.

How your local council can help

Your local council has to provide an advocate if you do not have family or friends to help and you have difficulty:

understanding and remembering information
communicating your views
understanding the pros and cons of different options

A paid carer cannot act as an advocate for you.

How to get an advocate

Contact social care services at your local council and ask about advocacy services. Find your local social care services.

POhWER is a charity that helps people to be involved in decisions being made about their care. Call POhWER's support centre on 0300 456 2370 for advice.

The Advocacy People gives advocacy support. Call 0330 440 9000 for advice or text PEOPLE to 80800 and someone will get back to you.

VoiceAbility gives advocacy support. Call their helpline on 0300 303 1660 for advice or use VoiceAbility's online referral form.

Contact your local Age UK to see if they have advocates in your area. Visit Age UK online or call 0800 055 6112.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.