Advocacy is any action taken to support, recommend, argue for, or defend a cause or the interests of others. It involves speaking on behalf of individuals or groups to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions

. Advocacy activities can include organizing communities, educating legislators, media campaigns, public speaking, research, and lobbying, which is a specific form of advocacy targeting legislators on particular issues

. Advocacy aims to create change by raising awareness, influencing public policy, laws, and budgets, and ensuring that people’s voices are heard and their rights are defended. It can be used in various contexts such as legal, political, social care, or education, and can take many forms including social justice advocacy, legislative advocacy, mass advocacy, and media advocacy

. In personal support contexts, advocacy often means helping individuals express their views and stand up for their rights, especially when they face difficulties such as mental health challenges. Advocates in this setting listen, explain options, help plan next steps, and ensure people are involved in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing. These advocates are independent and do not make decisions for the person but support them to be heard

. Overall, advocacy is a strategic and inclusive process aimed at driving social, organizational, or policy change to achieve greater justice, equity, and inclusion