Advocacy services
In Waltham Forest, the free NHS Complaints Advocacy service is run by an organisation called POhWER. They can help you make a complaint about an NHS service or work out what you want to achieve from a complaint.
This easy-to-understand explanatory video about NHS Complaints Advocacy explaining how to get help from an advocate.
Contact POhWER:
- by telephone on 0300 456 2370 (charged at local rate)
- by email nhscomplaints@pohwer.net
- by text the word Pohwer and your name and number to 81025
- by post - write to POhWER, PO Box 17943, Birmingham, B9 9PR.
Open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
POhWER also deliver other advocacy services in the borough;
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) – this video explains what IMHA is and how you can get support from an advocate if you are detained under the Mental Health Act,
- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy including the Relevant Paid Person’s Representative service
- Independent Care Act Advocacy.
Barnardo's provide the following advocacy services for children and young people in the borough.
- Independent Advocacy for Children in Care, care leavers between the ages of 5-25 years, and Children and Young People
- Independent Visitor Service for Children in Care between the ages of 5-18 years.
Contact Barnardo's:
- Freephone 0800 085 8287
- telephone 020 8768 5058
- email Advocacy2@barnardos.org.uk
