Steven was staying on a learning disability mental health ward under section 3 of the Mental Health Act due to experiencing mental ill health. He was referred to POhWER for support from an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA).

Joseph, a POhWER IMHA, met with Steven on the ward and explained his role and the support he could offer. Steven asked Joseph if he could support him at his ward rounds. Joseph arranged to meet Steven each week before his ward rounds so that they could discuss the points he wanted to raise in the meeting. Joseph would then attend the ward rounds with Steven.

At first, Steven did not want to speak at his ward rounds and would ask Joseph to raise his points and ask the questions on his behalf. However, after a number of weeks, Steven felt able to speak for himself with small prompts from Joseph if he had forgotten something he had planned to say.

Joseph was able to support Steven to ask for leave from the ward as well as access to his own money so that he can go out and buy snacks from the shop. 

Steven has also been able to request to change the day of his depo injection from a Tuesday to a Monday. As Steven is due to be discharged, it was agreed that this is something that can also be changed when he is in the community which Steven is happy about. 

Due to advocacy support Steven has grown in confidence and felt empowered to speak up for himself. Steven has learnt self-advocacy skills that he can continue to use in the community.