Matt has worked as an advocate in various guises since 2008; however, he joined us at Southerns in 2024.
He started working in statutory advocacy (IMHA – Independent Mental Health Advocate and Independent Mental Capacity Advocate), initially IMHA in 2013, then combining the IMCA and IMHA roles the following year, supporting clients throughout Lancashire.
Until joining Southerns in 2024, his focus had been solely on working as an IMCA and RPR (Relevant Persons Representative), primarily in the Wigan area.
One of the highlights of his career would be helping P to stay in her long-standing home with continued care, despite the local authority’s attempts to move her to a multi-resident facility. He used P’s rights under s.21a to prevent the possibility of her being sent back to her country of origin without her consent. P is now settled in a suitable place and has recently been granted indefinite leave to remain in the country.
In his free time, he can be found attending Giant Axe, home of Lancaster City FC (aka the Dolly Blues). An occasional groundsman, linesman, supporter, and general taxi service for his daughter’s under-11’s football team and an unskilled and uninitiated player of video games with his son!
A fun fact about Matt is he once played cricket against a team which contained former England all-rounder Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff. Their careers took distinctly different paths!!
When working as an IMCA and from a relative of P – “Thank you for being tenacious and ensuring that the rights of my sister were upheld. I am thanking you on behalf of my sister and the rest of our family”.
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