Our History

Originally founded as Wyre & Fylde Advocacy, our charity emerged in response to the UK government’s Modernising Government white paper. Operating from a small space above a shop in St Anne’s, with one staff member and a few volunteers, our mission was clear from the start: to empower the most vulnerable in our community by helping them be heard in the decisions that matter most.

We moved into larger, purpose-built premises in Blackpool and began to broaden our services. Alongside advocacy, we introduced support for unpaid carers, counselling for children and young people, and services aimed at improving health and wellbeing.

We launched the Butterfly and Pheonix projects to provide therapeutic support to children and young people who were self-harming or at risk of doing so. These services went on to be delivered across Lancashire.

Following the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, we began delivering the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) role in our delivery areas, supporting individuals who lacked capacity and had no one else to represent them in major decisions.

New Name: N-compass
We rebranded as N-compass, reflecting a broader mission and geographical reach. ‘N’ stands for North, and the compass symbolises direction – captured in our strapline: Towards a Brighter Future.

IMHA Advocacy Service Begins
We began delivering Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) role following the changes brought by the Mental Health Act 2007.

Help Direct Launch
We also began delivering Help Direct, an advice and information service for adults across Lancashire, in partnership with others.

We secured our first out-of-county contract, delivering the Wirral Advocacy Hub.

With the Care Act coming into effect in 2014, we began delivering Care Act Advocacy. We also worked with Lancashire County Council to develop and deliver statutory carers’ assessments — becoming the first service in the country to do so.

We began delivering support to vulnerable adults to address barriers to their health and wellbeing.

Blackburn with Darwen Advocacy Hub Launched.

Children & Young People Now Award Winner – recognised nationally for excellence in services supporting children and young people.

Launched the St Helens Advocacy Hub
Our second advocacy service in Merseyside.

Began delivering the Carers Hub Rochdale
Our first carers’ service outside Lancashire.

Deaf Link Service established
Through our work on the Lancashire Wellbeing Service, we identified that the Deaf community was significantly underrepresented and faced major barriers accessing support. In response, we launched our Deaf Link Service to help bridge these gaps and ensure the Deaf community had better access to the services they need.

We moved our head office to Preston Docks – a more central location to better connect with our delivery areas and support our ambition to grow our reach across the North of England.

Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards: A Rochdale carer shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Carer’.

Cheshire East Carers Service launched.

Connect 5 programme begins -We launched the Connect 5 programme across Fylde and Wyre, providing mental health training to professionals.

Investing in Volunteers (IiV) accreditation achieved – demonstrating our commitment to excellent volunteer support.

Advocacy Service awarded the Quality Performance Mark.

Presented at the UK State of Caring Conference.

Launched the Lancashire Carers Service.

Despite the pandemic, we adapted quickly to continue delivering services. We launched Bury Advocacy Hub, Bury Carers Hub and Tameside, Stockport & Oldham Advocacy Hub. We also secured Big Lottery funding to develop a regional counselling support service for unpaid carers.

Staffordshire Together for Carers Service launch – our first service outside of the Northwest.

Cumbria IMHA Service and the Liverpool Advocacy Hub launched.

Winners at the AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards for our digital work with carers – including the Carers Community Network, Volunteer CHAT Line, and Care for Carers project.

Became Charity Partners at Lytham Festival

Knowsley Advocacy Hub and Warrington Carers Hub launched.

Recognised as the 3rd Best Charity to Work For in the UK.

Launched the Carer Friendly Mark, promoting carer-friendly practices across organisations.

Ranked 47th in Best Medium-Sized Workplaces for Women – featured in ELLE magazine.

Awarded the Social Value Quality Mark Bronze Accreditation, recognising our commitment to social impact.

Launched the Westmorland and Furness Advocacy Hub.

Celebrated 25 years of service in October 2024.

Knowsley Carers Service Launched – our first carers’ service in Merseyside

We were proudly named in the Top 100 Workplaces in the UK (Medium-Sized Category) in the Great Place to Work list – ranked alongside organisations from a wide range of sectors, not just our own.