Connected Voice Advocacy Secures Funding to offer Support through Financial Crisis in Gateshead

We are delighted to announce that our Advocacy Service has been awarded £16,590 by Gateshead Council as part of the government-funded Crisis and Resilience Fund, which supports low-income households in Gateshead.  

The funding will enable us to work with Gateshead residents who are facing multiple and complex financial challenges including debt, poverty, and family breakdown. An independent advocate will support people to: 

• Understand their rights and options 
• Communicate effectively with service providers 
• Challenge providers when their rights are not upheld 
• Access practical support with debt, housing, fuel and food 
• Deal with forms and correspondence and navigate complex processes 
• Develop their ability to advocate for themselves. 

Jane Kingston, Head of Advocacy at Connected Voice, said: 

“We are delighted that Gateshead Council has chosen to support us to extend the range of services we provide. We already support people in Gateshead with health and social care issues and we know that the people we work with are often also facing multiple financial challenges.  

This funding will allow to work with people in Gateshead on a much more holistic basis and help them get their voices heard and secure what they are entitled to." 

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We  currently provide an equivalent advocacy service in Newcastle upon Tyne through the Help Through Crisis project in partnership with North East Law Centre.

An example of the support we have provided in Newcastle:  

Pearl self‑referred for advocacy support while facing court action that put her at risk of debt, homelessness, job loss and serious mental health crisis, including suicidal thoughts. Advocacy made a decisive difference through accountability  clearly explaining the advocate’s role and limits, and empowerment, enabling Pearl to attend advice appointments she could not manage alone and understand complex legal correspondence. Through independence, Pearl was supported to choose appropriate free legal services and communicate her circumstances when her mental health prevented her from doing so herself, while confidentiality allowed her to safely disclose bereavement and suicidal feelings. A rights-based approach secured reasonable adjustments so Pearl could engage in mediation and court processes. As a result, Pearl’s mental health stabilised, she developed self‑advocacy skills, avoided payday‑loan debt, kept her job and home, accessed free legal representation, and was ultimately cleared of all responsibility by the court.