Leanne's Story
‘Someone to talk to who believes what you say’
This story was written by one of our young advisors after interviewing Leanne
Leanne started seeing an advocate at the age of 15 after she finished a course of counselling at school, but was still having difficulties coping as counselling was not able to offer her the practical support with getting other people to listen and she did not feel comfortable talking to her family’s social worker. The school counsellor suggested a local advocacy project and though she knew nothing about it she was happy to give it a try.
At first Leanne was worried about seeing someone new and having to repeat her story but her advocate did not ask her lots of questions and she was able to tell them only what she wanted to in her own space and time. The advocate did talk with her about ways to get other people to understand what she was going through and to express her views and wishes about it. The next time she had a meeting with her social worker and her parents, her advocate came with her. Her advocate helped her to explain how she was feeling and how she felt she was not being listened to by adults.
Her advocate got Leanne some information about different coping strategies for times when she was feeling really bad. They talked through the information and her advocate explained about a local support group that was open to her. Leanne had some time to think more about what support she thought would suit her best and then made her own decision based on the information she had.
After working with the service for three months Leanne stopped needing an advocate and now attends a support group that another local project runs. She would advise anyone to give advocacy a go if the opportunity arises, as it made a difference and gave her “someone to talk to who believes what you say”. She is now at sixth form college, and plans to go into animal care.
We help young people age 6-19 in Somerset to get their views heard on issues affecting their emotional or mental wellbeing. Our service is free, independent and confidential.