Advocacy  is ‘…the process of identifying with and representing a person’s views and concerns, in order to secure enhanced rights and entitlements, undertaken by someone who has little or no conflict of interest’

Henderson & Pochin (2001)

Are you interested in learning about what advocacy involves? Are you thinking about how you might  be able to better support self and others to access their rights and entitlements? Do you have a strong commitment to social justice and promoting equality for those who are vulnerable or marginalised? This part-time SHEP course, may be of interest to you. This course has been very successfully delivered previously.

About the ‘Introduction to Advocacy’ Course

We plan to offer the Introduction to Advocacy course in the spring of 2020. This will be a SHEP certified course. The course will start in February and finish in May 2020. It will be delivered over 10 weekly evening sessions (7-10pm) and two Saturdays. Application forms will be available from end September 2019 with a closing date for applications at end November 2019.

For more information please contact Deirdre Lillis, course co-ordinator at deirdre.lillis@socialandhealth.com

This SHEP course will be of interest to a wide variety of people including those already involved in advocacy as well as  those interested in supporting others people through advocacy.

Course Aim

The aim of the course will be to provide an introduction to advocacy to those who already use advocacy skills in their life or work or to those with a clear interest in supporting self and others through advocacy. Learners who successfully complete this module will acquire knowledge, skills and understanding which will help them to practice principled advocacy, in a voluntary or paid capacity, in diverse or changing contexts. Completion of this course is a prerequisite for those who may wish to apply to volunteer with SHEP’s Cork Advocacy Service.

Philosophy

This course is under-pinned by SHEP’s philosophy that self-awareness and self-knowledge when combined with a commitment to community action is the basis for personal and social transformation. It is also informed by SHEP’s commitment to equality, social justice and social transformation.