Ellie Graham - Teesside Advocacy Team Leader People First

Why did you decide to become a Community Champion?

By becoming a community champion, I feel that People First can learn more about what is needed for our community and how to be better allies to the people we support. I hope to network with local people and organisations and work together on creating a more inclusive, person-centred health and social care landscape. 

How does your role help people in South Tees?

I work for People First Independent Advocacy, a charity offering statutory and non-statutory services in the Teesside area. We work with people to ensure that their voices are heard, and their rights upheld. We work independently from all health and social care services, standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with people to help them speak up when they need support. Advocacy is rooted in principles of empowerment, equal opportunity, and accessibility. We are constantly striving to better our practice and the service that we offer to our local people.