Advocacy is “the process of identifying with and representing a persons views and concerns, in order to secure enhanced rights and entitlements, undertaken by someone who has little or no conflict of interest” Henderson & Pochin (2001)

The Introduction to Advocacy Course

Autumn 2024

Is this a course for me?

Are you interested in learning about what advocacy involves? Are you thinking about how you might be able to better support others to access their rights and entitlements? Do you have a strong commitment to social justice and promoting equality for those who are vulnerable or marginalised? This part-time SHEP course, may be of interest to you.

About the Introduction to Advocacy Course

This open-access Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) course is an introduction to advocacy and is a SHEP certified course. It will be of interest to a wide variety of people including those already involved in advocacy as well as those interested in supporting other people through advocacy. What will make this programme unique is that it will take place in the context of the SHEP’s Advocacy Project, that provides advocacy supports to individuals and groups of adults with disabilities. This means that the programme will have the benefit of being informed by the day-to-day realities of advocacy practice when supporting people with disabilities. The training will be facilitated by experienced advocacy practitioners and trainers

Course Aim

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to advocacy to those who already use advocacy skills in their life or work or to those with a clear interest in supporting self and others through advocacy. Learners who successfully complete this course will acquire knowledge, skills and understanding which will help them to practice principled advocacy, in a voluntary or paid capacity, in diverse or changing contexts. Completion of this course is a prerequisite for those who may wish to apply to volunteer and/or undertake contracted work with the SHEP Advocacy Project.

Philosophy

This course is under-pinned by SHEP’s philosophy that self-awareness and self-knowledge when combined with a commitment to community action is the basis for personal and social transformation. It is also informed by SHEP’s commitment to equality, social justice and social transformation.

Further Information

Course Time Table: The course will run from September 11th to December 18th, over 14 Wednesday evening sessions and 3 full Saturdays (October 12th, December 7th and December 14th). It will be delivered fully ‘in person’.

Location: SHEP, The Old Primary School, Ardfoyle Crescent, Ballintemple, Cork City..

Cost: €400. Please note that SHEP is a not for profit organisation. A reduced cost of €200 is available to participants who meet the criteria. Please see the Important Information on SHEP fees document below for more information.

Application closing date has been extended to August 23rd, 2024. *Please note that an application does not guarantee a place, as places are limited.

For queries, please contact course co-ordinator Marge Lysaght at: marge.lysaght@socialandhealth.com.

For the full course brochure, application form and fees information, please follow the links provided below:

Introduction to Advocacy Course Brochure. 2024

https://socialandhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Introduction-to-Advocacy-Course-Brochure-2024.pdf

Introduction to Advocacy Course Flyer, 2024

https://socialandhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Flyer-advocacy-course-.png