B3: Charities and Patient Groups

Question 1

When do many charities or voluntary organisations represent their service users?
-example?

Answer 1

many charities or voluntary organisations represent their service users when they need to contact or liaise with different agencies
- eg MENCAP will support or represent their service users when they are liaising with organisations such as their local council about housing issues

Question 2

What are charities and voluntary organisations able to support service users with?
-another form of this?

Answer 2

these organisations are also able to support service users if they are having having difficulties and need to report them, or make a complaint
- another form of this is through the PATIENT GROUPS that are set up in hospitals to represent the needs of a range of service users

Question 3

What can some charitable groups act as?

Answer 3

some charitable groups can act as part of PRESSURE GROUPS (people will come together to campaign to improve the services offered to members)

Question 4

What do charitable groups aim to influence?
-example?

Answer 4

they aim to influence public opinion and government decisions on behalf of the members that they represent
- eg the NSPCC campaigns to encourage the government to introduce policies and laws that support the protection of children