Two organisations designed to help a number of people across Sefton have merged to form a supergroup.

Sefton Pensioners’ Advocacy Centre and Sefton Advocacy are pleased to announce they are merging and the new larger charity will be known as Sefton Advocacy.

Following a period of talks and consultation, the two charities decided that in order to keep providing high quality advocacy services to the people of Sefton it was in their best interests to merge and become a larger, single charity.

Sefton Pensioners’ Advocacy Centre is currently a leading force in the field of older peoples’ advocacy projects, as one of the largest independent charities with an exceptional local and national reputation.

They have over 20 years’ experience of supporting the voice of older people with specific focus on people living with dementia, older people affected by cancer, housing & care projects and facilitating five older peoples’ forums across Sefton.

Sefton Advocacy’s expertise lies in the fact that it continues to be the only generic service within the borough that offers one-to-one advocacy, help, information and advice.

Alison Ayres, Service Manager of Sefton Advocacy, said: “We have seen a growth of referrals with many more residents turning to our volunteer-led service for support throughout the year. As a charity, we offer a wide range of benefits to ‘Our Sefton Community’, ensuring that there is a long-established service for anyone with a problem to access.

“The merger has come about in order to ensure that all residents of Sefton can continue to have the support of advocacy.

“In these times of austerity, the board’s of both organisations decided that to take advocacy forward in a sustainable way it was in everyone’s best interest to merge. The new charity will be a single place of contact for advocacy across Sefton and has the potential to develop new and innovative projects and areas of support.

“Providing the most vulnerable with an independent voice can have a transforming effect upon the individual and the wider community. A merging of these two organisations will strengthen this service and voice for Sefton residents.”

Andrew Booth, Director of Sefton Pensioners’ Advocacy Centre and the new CEO of Sefton Advocacy, added: “The support of advocates and the strategic role for advocacy organisations are needed now more than ever.

“This merger will help us provide more one-to-one independent support for our communities, across all age groups and enable us to grow to meet the needs we, and our population, are identifying.”