A Stockport not-for-profit company is celebrating a double win at the Stockport Business Awards.

Stockport Advocacy, which helps locals navigate difficult decisions such as care and medical treatment, won both The Stockport Award and Best Not for Profit at this year's wards.

The company was founded in 2004, with the aim of supporting locals as they make choices on their health and future. When people might be directed down a path which the system thinks would work best, advocates aim to help residents understand their rights and express their wishes.

The Stockport Advocacy team described this double win as a 'proud moment', and "an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of the team and the contribution of colleagues and volunteers, past and present".

"The awards have given the whole team a real buzz!", Stockport Advocacy CEO Mary Edwards said.

"We hope this recognition helps put advocacy on the map, highlighting the value of supporting Stockport residents to have their voices heard and their rights upheld within a legal framework.

"Advocacy also offers a wonderful career pathway and the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people across the borough.

"Looking ahead, it is crucial that Stockport continues to recognise the value of small, local organisations and the local knowledge, networks and well-established relationships they bring to the whole community."

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The awards also come at the time of a 'new chapter' for the business, as they move to a new office at Prospect House in Heaton Moor.

The company will continue their usual advocacy work from here, which can include helping someone prepare for a meeting, understand the options being discussed, or ask questions they may have felt unable to raise.

Stockport Advocacy also aims to 'empower the community' by making information about rights, choices and support easier to understand and access.

To this end, they have created a series of information sessions for residents - find more information on their website here.

Stockport Business Awards runs annually, aiming to recognise 'outstanding achievement and innovation' among Stockport's shops, eateries and companies, and is described as "one of the region's most prestigious celebrations of business success".

This year's event was held on 8 October at the Royal Nawaab Pyramid, with 300 guests in attendance - including business leaders, entrepreneurs, and employees.

There were 13 awards up for grabs in as many different categories - find all the winners here.