A FORTH VALLEY charity is spending this week hosting information sessions to spread the word about how they can help the community.

Forth Valley Advocacy is taking part in Independent Advocacy Awareness Week, helping people in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk be able to speak up about issues affecting them.

From Monday, April 24 to Friday, April 28, members of the charity will hosting information sessions and coffee mornings to share with residents the work they do around Forth Valley.

Gordon Fisher, advocacy liaison worker at Forth Valley Advocacy, said: “Advocacy is about speaking up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

“It’d about helping people to find out about opinions, make choices and tell other people what they want to happen.

“It’s about making sure that people are fully involved in decisions that affect their lives – and that other people listen to them and take their views into account.”

Independent Advocacy Awareness Week is organised by the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) and aims to promote advocacy in Scotland and highlight the difference it makes in people’s lives.

Throughout the week, the SIAA hopes to put out material including case studies by advocacy partners and from people who have benefitted from the charity’s intervention.

“Working across Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Council areas,” Gordon added. “Forth Valley Advocacy promotes people’s human rights and ensures people can have their voices heard by the people making decisions about their lives.

Find out more by contacting Forth Valley Advocacy at forthvalleyadvocacy.com or by calling 01324 320986.