Advocacy and Support
This section of our website includes information and tools to help our visitors better advocate (speak up) for themselves when it comes to their health and wellbeing. It includes FTWW members’ testimonies and also offers advice for people who may be living or working with those who have long-term health conditions on how best to support them.
Many women, girls and people registered female at birth who are living with long-term health conditions lack confidence in seeking help and support from others. Talking about symptoms and related issues can be challenging and evoke strong feelings. Many of these conditions are ‘non-visible’, which can sometimes make it more difficult for other people to understand the impact they have.
Through continuous dialogue with our members, surveys, and focus groups, we are able to gain insights and collate the experiences of our community, helping us and others understand the various challenges faced when seeking help and support. Read an in-depth report of what our community have told us about their experiences here.
By sharing some of their experiences and views here, we hope to provide valuable tips and ideas for both advocating for yourself or supporting someone else with their health issues.
How to “speak up” and advocate for yourself about your health issues
Being able to talk to someone about your health issues and how you are feeling can be a very positive experience, and can also help you get the healthcare you need.
FTWW is in the process of coproducing a Self-Advocacy Toolkit with our community, which will be available here shortly.
In the meantime, get some tips and ideas to help you to advocate for yourself from our community members.
Support a person to discuss and cope with their health issues
When a family member, patient, colleague or friend is struggling with health issues, your support can have a positive effect on their wellbeing.
With the help of our community, we’ve pulled together ideas, suggestions, and top tips to help others be better allies when it comes to supporting people with their health and wellbeing.
This information is for friends, family members and professionals.
Stories from our commmunity
Understanding Disability
In Wales, it’s estimated that around 26% of the population is disabled, however many of those don’t realise that they can call themselves disabled.
We follow the Social Model of Disability, meaning that environmental, organisational, and attitudinal barriers dis-able people and prevent participation in society, not necessarily medical conditions or impairments.
English (UK) 
Cymraeg