Speaking up for others
New Ideas is an advocacy service for people who have a learning disability in Warwickshire, managed by North Warwickshire Council for Voluntary Services.
New Ideas are running a new project, funded by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD), which aims to train and support people who have a learning disability to become Peer Advocates and support others to have their say. It is proving to be a great success.
A course was led by Gill Hall, Peer Advocacy Coordinator, which ran for one day a week over ten weeks. Seven people across Leamington and Warwick received the training, four of whom have now progressed to become Peer Advocates. They are Vicki Norton, Jenny Tibbatts, Jason Harris and Suzi Miller.
Jason Harris and Suzi Miller are working as Peer Advocates with Paul Byrne; and Vicki Norton and Jenny Tibbatts are working with Robert Shirley. Both Robert and Paul are supported by Sharon Andrews also from New Ideas. They aim to produce a film about something in their life that is important to them, and they want to share.
Jason Harris, who uses Leamington Community Support Services, part of Warwickshire County Council’s service provision for adults with Learning Disabilities recently completed the training and says he has enjoyed the training and it has raised his confidence levels.
Gill said:
“The course is proving to be a great success. We look at communication, advocacy and using different forms of Multi Media. ‘New Ideas’ is about people having their say, being listened to and being included.”
The course is now running again for adults with learning disabilities in the Rugby area.
For details contact New Ideas on 01827 713045 or email gill.hall@newideasadvocacy.org.uk.