Wizu Client Spotlight: RJ Advocacy

Welcome to a new Client Spotlight series, where we’ll be introducing you to the vibrant community of Wizu meeting room, event space and serviced office users!

For our first feature, we are thrilled to introduce you to RJ Advocacy, who joined us for a day in our Victoria Suite at The Leeming Building. Founded by Richard Johnson, RJ Advocacy is a newer business that has a sentimental background.

Keep reading to learn about Richard, RJ Advocacy and his experience in our spaces.

Who are you and what do you do? 

I am Richard Johnson and I am the director of RJ Advocacy which is a business that assists people with the adult social care system and NHS Care system and acts a referral point to the Society of Later Life Advisers for specialist later life regulated financial advice.

Why did you set up your business? 

In May 2019, my stepmother passed away and my father who had moderate dementia at that time needed support particularly with both the local authority adult social care and the NHS care systems. During my time dealing with my father’s requirements, I realised that many people have found themselves in a similar situation coping with an elderly loved one’s care requirements and I realised that the skills I had learnt dealing with my father’s situation allied with my affiliation with the Society of Later Life Advisers could be of enormous benefit to individuals and families at a very difficult and challenging time. My father sadly passed away on 31 December 2022 and I have set up this business in his memory to assist anyone who needs assistance with the local authority and NHS care systems and processes.

Do you have anything that you live by? An ethos or mantra? 

I always try to do the best I can for the people who decide to put their trust in me.

What do you think is the most interesting thing about your business? 

My business offers a service that assists people at a point of vulnerability in their lives and offers support with processes that might be difficult to navigate to achieve good outcomes. It’s focused completely on each individual customer to support them with their very specific needs.

How did you get to this point in your career?

I have been working in financial services for over 30 years and following the passing of my stepmother and being the main point of contact for my father throughout the period where he required support, it became clear that there were many people and families who had difficulties in understanding the complexities of the local authority adult social care and NHS care systems. I therefore decided to set up RJ Advocacy to assist with any issues and concerns and use my affiliate status with the Society of Later Life Advisers to be in a position to refer people and their families where they needed assistance with the funding of the care of their loved ones.

What is the best advice that someone has ever given you?

“Measure twice, cut once” – it is a phrase that a former manager provided to me and has served me well throughout my life and career. It is important to check and check again before you say or do anything – sometimes you are unable to take back words and actions and this is especially important to recognise when dealing with people at a vulnerable point in their lives.

Tell us one specific thing that you always have on your desk during the workday

My phone – so that I am available to speak to anyone at any time to deal with any issues that they may be facing with regards to the care and funding of their loved ones.

Why do you choose Wizu as a meeting space? Is there anything specific you like about it? 

I was actually recommended Wizu by my videographer as a great location for the filming of my promotional video. I saw the pictures of the rooms that were available on their website and booked straightaway! The helpfulness, friendliness and hospitality of the people was a real stand out concerning what made Wizu a great place to work along with the genuine interest that their people took in my business.

Would you recommend Wizu to other individuals and companies who might be looking for meeting spaces? 

Absolutely – it has very high-quality meeting spaces and the staff have an exceptional can-do and accommodating attitude to any requests for additional requirements.

It was great to host Richard and his videographer for the day at Leeming!

If you have a meeting room or event space booking with us in future at Wizu, we’d love to do a company feature for you. On booking, or as part of your ongoing booking support, you can reference it to our MES team who will put you in contact with our social media manager.