Fairhurst, E, Mountian, I and Sixsmith, J 2008, 'Consideracoes sobre services de advocacy para pessoas idosas no contexto de revitalizacao urbana. (Advocacy services for older people in urban regeneration contexts)' , Revista Kairos Gerontologia, 11 (1) , pp. 167-184.

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Abstract

This article is based on an evaluation study of an older people's advocacy project, the Gateway Project, in the context of urban regeneration in East Manchester.East Manchester has a higher proportin of older people than any other part of Manchester. Two main aspects are outlined here, first, how clients and partners identify psych-social and practical benefits from the Project's services; and second, how processes of individual and collective advocacy created the conditions for a sense of control, while at the same time making explicit helplessness and frustration in other contexts. Issues of trust, dignity and respect were fundamental to effective relationships between older people and service providers. Further, while the small scale nature of the Project worked well for older clients, this compromised the development of strong partnerships with (more powerful)organisations. Advocacy as a gateway to empowerment required individual determination, collective effort, organisational commitment and joint working to be successful.

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