THE work of Andover Advocacy Alliance has been recognised with a £33,000 government grant to allow it to expand and develop its service to vulnerable adults in the area.

The department of health has awarded the cash boost over two years as part of its development scheme, run by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities, to benefit learning disability services.

Project co-ordinator Roland Matthews said: "We are delighted by this recognition at the highest levels of the value of our work locally.

"We already work with many of the most vulnerable people in the community, but this award will enable us to target our services specifically at people who have more severe learning difficulties.

"This is a group for whom significant time and re-sources are required in order accurately to understand and represent their needs and wishes."

Andover Advocacy Alliance provides an independent advocacy service to vulnerable adults in North West Hampshire. It maintains a team of trained, locally-based volunteers who work alongside vulnerable individuals to make sure their voices are heard and their views and wishes respected.

The project, which was established in 1995, is run by Test Valley Community Services and receives core funding from Hampshire County Council. The government grant will allow the service to recruit and train even more volunteer advocates.

"As no prior knowledge or experience is required to be an advocate, volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds. What is important is that they share a belief in everyone's right to be heard, to be included and to achieve a good quality of life," Mr Matthews added.

Anyone interested in becoming an advocate or finding out more about the alliance should contact Roland Matthews on 01264 336380 or email andover@ tvcs.org.uk