Speaking Up For Others - A New Initiative For People With Profound And Multiple Learning Disabilities, UK

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Autism;  ADHD;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 11 Jun 2008 - 0:00 PST

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National charity for people with learning disabilities, HFT, has teamed up with charity and voluntary agency, Onside Independent Advocacy, to launch a new initiative which will enhance support for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

In partnership with Onside Advocacy, HFT is piloting a project for service users and their families at its Clementi Court service, on the outskirts of Evesham, which is designed for people who have profound and multiple physical, and learning disabilities and who require a high level of support.

The objective of the programme is to enable people with complex needs to become more included in their local community and to improve their quality of life.

Onside is spending time with the people at Clementi Court to try and gain an insight and awareness to their feelings and wishes with a view to representing them to those providing services and support.

The organisation is recruiting local volunteers to help carry out this work and to make the project a success.

"Our volunteers are ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds who give their time to support people to ensure their voices are heard and their rights upheld", said Katy Buckle, development worker at Onside. "Advocates are independent and are not involved as professionals, carers or family members. They don't need formal qualifications but they need to be good listeners, open to others' views, non-judgemental, discreet and tolerant."
Onside offers volunteers a short, local training programme as well as mentoring and ongoing support.

Notes

HFT is a registered national charity for adults with a learning disability. Previously known as The Home Farm Trust the charity was re-branded and adopted the more modern name HFT which maintains its links with the past whilst emphasising its development and progression into the future.

HFT provides services for over 1,000 people in supported living, registered care homes, advocacy, supported employment and day services.

The charity also runs a Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) which provides support each year for 4,000 family carers of adults with learning disabilities.
http://www.hft.org.uk

Onside Independent Advocacy

Onside is a registered charity which was established in 1993. Based in Worcester, it works across the county and in Evesham to provide independent advocacy support to people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged as a result of disability, ill health or old are and who are at risk of not having their rights as citizens/human beings upheld and respected.

Onside Independent Advocacy