The history of advocacy and self-advocacy in Southend

Rose Mossop, Susan Douglas and Myra Bradley

Since 1999, Southend Mencap have provided an advocacy service for people with learning disabilities. The service arose from a growing trend in people seeking advocacy from a befrienders scheme.

Key areas/themes for presentation to the conference will be:

1. Changes for people with a learning disability in the Southend area
   Client consultation on Joint Investment Plan.
   Client representation on the Learning Disability Executive Board (LDEB) and the Partnership Board..
   Parliament system for self advocacy groups to ensure wider representation being met through the LDEB and Partnership Board
    
2. Barriers for people with a learning disability in the Southend area
   Resources to enable wider client consultation at the pace of the client.
   Client representation on boards to be in proportion to the other numerous bodies sitting on the boards.
   The boards to work with people with learning disabilities to ensure that they understand what is being discussed and have the appropriate opportunities to speak up.
    
3. Why STILL self-advocacy
   People are people beyond the learning disability!