BATIAS has been providing independent advocacy support for people with learning disabilities in South Essex for the past 20 years. The BATIAS service works to empower people with disabilities to make informed choices, to speak out, to have their voices heard and their wishes and choices recognised. BATIAS also support people with physical and sensory impairments and mental health difficulties.

BATIAS provides advocacy support in 4 different ways: Formal: A professional Advocate supports a client with a specific issue or concern. Citizen: A trained volunteer supports a client with social activities enabling them to have far greater access to the local community. Self: Groups of clients get together on a regular basis to provide each other with support. Café4U: Is a social enterprise café which offers training and work opportunities to our clients whilst serving a range of fresh food.

BATIAS Case Study:having lived at home all her life with her parents, Mary came along to a BATIAS self advocacy group after both of her parents had passed away. She was nervous about going out on her own but the group supported her and gave her confidence and social skills to try new activities and form new friendships. A volunteer Citizen Advocate was found and they would meet every week. Gradually Mary started going to other activities which included a club where she met the man of her dreams.