A new free public advocacy service has launched in Tauranga, providing support for people struggling to be heard or know where to go for help.

The service has been developed by long-serving social sector volunteer and employee Carol Heena, and is run at Greerton Library on Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm, and Welcome Bay Community Centre from 1pm-3pm on Wednesdays.

'As times have become very difficult for many people, it has become abundantly clear more people are requiring help from various agencies," says Carol.

'[Working in the social sector] there were a number of people who were unable to articulate their needs when in the middle of harrowing circumstances, I feel we owe people as a society to help where at all possible."

Often the free advocacy involves providing emotional support for clients who need a hand up, accompanying them to an appointment with professionals where they may feel overwhelmed, or simply assisting them in finding the information they need.

Carol says there are many people from all walks of life who have not received the help they require from a service because of their inability to communicate their needs or ask the right questions to achieve help.

'For people in need of help they often cannot find advocates quickly enough to help them as, at present, advocacy help is often buried in services detail. Our aim is for help/advocacy to be easily accessible.

'Our service would help when and where we could to enable the person to help themselves, accompany them to a meeting and/or advocate on their behalf,” says Carol.

Carol is seeking more advocates to volunteer two hours per month – advocates do not have to ‘specialise' in the social sector, they just need to understand how to support people and have some knowledge in finding help.

The framework for the Free Advocacy Service will be based along the lines of the Justice of the Peace service where there will be advocates available in public service areas such as local community centres, by phone, and other areas based on demand.

People will be able to find help easily through the same types of directory JPs use to advertise their services.

For more information, contact Carol Heena by emailing: freepublicadvocacyservice@gmail.com or call 0225629845.