SHEP has a new Advocacy Officer; Claire Kelly.  Claire will support the expansion of the Project's advocacy service in order to encompass the needs of people with disabilities, as well as people with age-related problems.  She is able to provide a professional representative advocacy service to complement the work of SHEP's trained volunteer advocates.  

SHEP's expanded advocacy service is now called 'Cork Advocacy Service'.  It is run with the support of an independent Expert Consultative Group.  17 volunteers are currently participating in specialised practitioner training in advocacy with a view to working with the service.  The advocacy service is supported by the Citizens Information Board and the Health Service Executive.