Solihull Action through Advocacy

AIM The central aim of our organisation is to improve the quality of life of people with learning disabilities through Advocacy, providing a lifeline for people who are vulnerable and at risk of exclusion from society because of a learning disability. To achieve this aim,we provide a range of advocacy services for over 130 adults with a learning disability each year in Solihull, working with: parents who have a learning disability; people with complex and additional health support needs; people on the autistic spectrum with additional learning disabilities; people who communicate through their behaviour, which may be perceived as challenging to others; people who face communication barriers; people with additional sensory impairments; people considered to have a mild learning disability unable to access statutory services. Those we work with may live with family carers, independently in supported living accommodation, in residential or nursing homes or community hospitals. The issues ... more

AIM The central aim of our organisation is to improve the quality of life of people with learning disabilities through Advocacy, providing a lifeline for people who are vulnerable and at risk of exclusion from society because of a learning disability. To achieve this aim,we provide a range of advocacy services for over 130 adults with a learning disability each year in Solihull, working with: parents who have a learning disability; people with complex and additional health support needs; people on the autistic spectrum with additional learning disabilities; people who communicate through their behaviour, which may be perceived as challenging to others; people who face communication barriers; people with additional sensory impairments; people considered to have a mild learning disability unable to access statutory services. Those we work with may live with family carers, independently in supported living accommodation, in residential or nursing homes or community hospitals. The issues they have include housing, health, employment, finance, social isolation and personal safeguarding. They may have issues involving the criminal justice system as victims or perpetrators of crime.

OBJECTIVES Our Objectives include: ~ Listening to the views of adults with learning disabilities. ~ Supporting adults with learning disabilities to take more control over their own lives, with greater opportunity and choice, working with those we support to help them get what they need ~ Representing the interests of people with learning disabilities in discussion and consultation with service providers and exercising influence in service provision and policy making. ~ Enabling individuals to speak up for themselves wherever possible. ~ Promoting positive change so that people with learning disabilities are accepted and valued members of their local community.

SERVICES Our services include: ~ Supporting user involvement at the Learning Disability Partnership Board. ~ Helping clients to understand their rights and make informed choices. ~ Supporting clients to make their own choices and decisions ~ Facilitating tenants groups ~ Reducing isolation through holding monthly craft group activities ~ Facilitating consultation meetings. ~ Promoting views on how adults with a learning disability would learning disability would like to see their services develop.