To advocate for yourself is to take an active role in your own story.
It isn’t confrontation; it’s communication — backed by knowledge, clarity, and persistence.
Being a self-advocate means you:
- Understand your rights and entitlements
- Can explain what matters to you in plain language
- Keep clear evidence of what’s happened
- Know when to ask for professional help.
You aren’t being awkward by asking questions. Welsh law recognises your right to information, explanation, and involvement in decisions that affect you.
1. The Legal Frameworks That Support You
You don’t have to memorise legislation, but knowing which law governs which issue helps you reach the right doorway faster.
Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 – the foundation of social care in Wales.
It gives every person the right to assessment, information, advice, advocacy, and protection from harm.
Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 – Anyone accepted into secondary mental health services is legally entitled to a named Care Coordinator, a written Care and Treatment Plan, the right to re-access services, and access to an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA).
Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 – define homelessness prevention, tenancy rights, repairs, and notice periods.
Equality Act 2010 – protects people from discrimination in services, housing, and employment.
Knowing these frameworks helps you to submit any reasonable request:
“Under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, I’d like my needs assessment reviewed.”
2. Building Your Toolkit
You don’t need expensive tools — just structure.
Keep a paper or digital folder with:
- Letters, emails and forms.
- A timeline of dates and outcomes.
- Notes of calls and meetings.
- Copies of plans and reports.
Patterns matter. When you can show who said what and when, it’s harder for systems to ignore you.
3. Communicating With Services
Clarity often starts with you.
Use factual language:
“I’ve raised this concern three times and haven’t yet had a response.”
Keep records of names, dates, and summaries.
Ask for confirmation in writing:
“Could you please confirm this in writing so I have it for my records?”
That’s assertive, not rude.
4. Writing a Clear Email or Letter
1. What happened – facts only.
2. How it affected you – brief but human.
3. What you want done – specific action.
4. When you’d like a reply – about 14 days.
Attach copies, not originals.
5. Subject Access Requests and Complaints
You have a legal right to see what’s written about you, but each organisation has its own process for handling Subject Access Requests (SARs).
Always check their website or ask for their Data Protection Officer details.
Hywel Dda University Health Board – health and hospital records
Pembrokeshire County Council – social care, education and council records
Website: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/information-governance/data-protection-and-subject-access-requests
Housing Associations – request directly via their Data Protection or Tenant Services teams, the best way to do this is to check their website, and if you are still unsure, send an email to them - This helps to ensure that every interaction is recorded, with a time and date stamp and with what was said.
Police, DWP, schools and charities – each publishes its own SAR route, be sure to check their websites and keep an eye out for terms such as "Information Governance" and "Subject Access Requests".
Provide proof of ID and enough detail to locate your records. Organisations must respond within one month under UK GDPR.
If something is inaccurate, request correction in writing.
If you’re still unhappy, follow the organisation’s complaints process and, if unresolved, contact the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales or the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
6. When to Involve an Advocate
Sometimes self-advocacy isn’t enough — and that’s okay.
Llais (West Wales Region) – independent advocacy for any NHS-funded service: GP surgeries, hospitals, mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, and community care under Hywel Dda UHB.
Website: https://www.llaiswales.org/in-your-area/west-wales
Advocacy West Wales (AWW) – statutory advocacy (IMHA, IPA, IMCA) for adults and carers.
Website: https://advocacywestwales.org.uk/
Pembrokeshire People First (PPF) – peer advocacy for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
Website: https://pembrokeshirepeople1st.org.uk/
Dyfed Community Advocacy & Guidance (DCAG) – community-based advocacy serving Pembrokeshire only, helping people understand and use their rights day-to-day.
Website: https://www.dyfed-community-advocacy-guidance.co.uk/
These services work with you, not instead of you.
7. Protecting Your Well-being
Advocacy can be tiring.
Take breaks, ask for help, and in crisis contact 111 (option 2), CALL Helpline 0800 132 737, or Samaritans 116 123.
Your voice is strongest when you look after yourself.
8. Final Thoughts
Pembrokeshire’s systems can feel distant, but structure, persistence and understanding make a difference. Every record you keep adds weight to your voice.
Self-advocacy is about dignity, fairness, and using your own written words to be heard - In a county where services are stretched, the most powerful tool most people ever hold is their own voice, written down.
