History
Thirty years of providing Advocacy services
1989
The foundations of Advocacy Matters Wales began as
“Citizen Advocacy in South Glamorgan”.
The organisation began to provide an advocacy service for the residents of Ely Hospital during their resettlement into the local community.
The Organisation was initially based in a church in Ely, with advocacy being provided by local volunteers.
For more information about the history of Ely Hospital, please click on this link;
To find out about a student in the 1970's who challenged the concept of Ely Hospital and led the fight to make community living a reality, follow this link; 'A tribute to Jim Mansel'
Due to an increase in demand for advocacy services for adults with a learning disability in the local community, the organisation expanded over the next few years.
The organisation began to offer Citizen Advocacy for adults with learning disabilities living in the local community in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
1996
Official closure of Ely Hospital.
To learn about how things have changed since the closure of Ely Hospital, follow this link; 'Celebrating social movement since Ely Hospital Closure 20 years ago.'
The organisation became a ‘registered charity’ and a ‘company limited by guarantee.’
It changed its name to ‘People in Partnership (PiP)’.
2000
The organisation began to provide professional Independent Casework Advocacy for adults with a learning disability in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
As the organization expanded an increasing need for issue based advocacy provision was identified. Some people did not require a long term Citizen Advocacy partnership, but clearly needed advocacy support in the short term for specific problems.
To address this need two professional advocates were employed in January 2000.
2001
The organisation began to provide an advocacy service for the residents of ‘Independent Community Living (ICL)' independent hospitals.
This service was provided for residents with a combined Learning Disability and Mental Health diagnosis, many of whom were detained under the Mental Health Act.
2003
The organisation changed its name to ‘Advocacy Matters (Wales)’.
AMW moved with Cardiff People First, The Friendly Trust and Cardiff and the Vale Parents Federation to accessible office premises in Cardiff. This move marked a significant step for all four charities in service development by improving partnership working and consolidating access for people with learning disabilities through a range of advocacy and advice services.
2005
A Service User Group began to be developed
so that AMW service users could be supported to have a direct voice in the organisation.
2007
AMW began to provide a specialist professional advocacy service for Adults with Asperger syndrome in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Funded by the Welsh Government Advocacy scheme.
2008
AMW began to provide a professional advocacy service for the residents of the Ludlow Street Healthcare 'Pine Tree court' independent hospital.
Many of the residents have a combined Learning Disability and Mental Health diagnosis and are detained under the Mental Health Act.
2009
AMW became the first organisation in Wales to be awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM).
AMW began to provide professional advocacy for adults with a Learning Disability in Bridgend.
3 year funding secured through the Big Lottery fund.
2010
AMW began to provide professional advocacy for adults with a Learning Disability in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
3 year funding secured through the Big Lottery fund.
2012
AMW began to provide professional advocacy specifically for parents with a Learning Disability, where there were child protection concerns.
3 year funding secured through the Big Lottery fund.
This service was run in collaboration with Cardiff, Newport and Vale Peoples First.
2014
AMW began to provide professional advocacy specifically for adults with a learning disability who had been the victim of a crime.
3 year funding secured through the Lloyds Bank Foundation.
2015
AMW began to provide professional advocacy specifically for adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions.
3 year funding secured through the Big Lottery fund.
2019
AMW was awarded the updated Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM).