No two days are ever the same in the life of an advocate. From navigating complex client needs to responding to unexpected challenges, the role demands empathy, resilience, and quick thinking at every turn. To get a closer look behind the scenes, we caught up with Ellie, one of our dedicated advocates, to hear what a typical day really looks like—and how she makes a difference when it matters most. 

What does a typical day look like? 

It’s hard to describe—as cliché as it sounds, no two days are the same. Yesterday I had an admin day working on a triage, referrals, and case audits, but then an advocacy partner raised some concerns on the phone, and I had to carry out a safeguarding assessment. We manage our own diaries and go on visits, and if you’re on duty for the Appropriate Adult service, you can get a call and have to drop everything and go. My favourite part is doing the visits—going out, seeing people, interacting with them, and seeing that you are helping them face to face. There’s also a lot more admin than people think. 

Is there a type of advocacy you are drawn to? 

I’m trained in every type of advocacy service. The one I’m most experienced in is supporting people with mental capacity issues, like older adults with dementia. But I wouldn’t say I’m drawn to any type—I see myself as a seasoned advocate who can step in wherever I’m needed. 

What do you enjoy about your role? 

I know what I’m doing—I’m confident and comfortable with the answers and knowing how to help people. I enjoy knowing how to signpost people so there’s no gap in support, and I really like challenging on people’s behalf and advocating for their rights. You get very passionate about the role when you build a relationship with someone and see that they aren’t getting the support they should be receiving—you want to do everything in your power to help them. Just being in a position where I can do that is really rewarding. 

Being an advocate can sometimes be emotionally challenging, what do you do to decompress after a difficult day? 

At 5 pm I always go out for a walk – especially now I have a new puppy and I will call my sister to talk about non-work things to decompress. Some cases—like when the Appropriate Adult service deals with very serious subjects and it can be very heavy, and you sometimes need to debrief with someone you can say anything to. Our manager is amazing and will suggest a debrief, have a cup of tea, and talk it through. There’s no one outside the team I can share these experiences with, so having that support network at Cloverleaf is really important. Everyone’s supportive, and if your manager isn’t available, there are always others to turn to. The peer support is incredible, and most of the time everyone is willing to back each other up. 

What advice would you give to someone looking at becoming an advocate? 

I believe that to become an advocate, you need to be patient, empathetic, and very understanding. I’ve found that strong time management skills are essential, as you’re often in charge of your own diary and caseload, balancing working independently with being part of a team. 

I think having good people skills and being an active listener is key. I strive to be honest, transparent, and professional, understanding boundaries and always being keen to learn about the different types of advocacy. I also value the ability to take on information and apply it effectively in my work. 

For me, advocacy is about genuinely caring for others and wanting to help them. I feel that combining empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting people makes this work incredibly meaningful and rewarding. 

If you would like to find out more about our advocacy vacancies, please visit: Vacancies – Cloverleaf Advocacy