What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-Advocacy is to help you to speak up. Your views are important; we all have a right to control our own lives and make our own decisions.

Self Advocacy groups are meeting all over Dorset. Its great to get together to swap stories and help each other.

We raise our own money so we are independent from Dorset People First but we get support from them if we need it.

At group meetings we learn to communicate with each other by taking turns to speak and by listening to each other. Things we might talk about at groups include bullying, money, the places where we live, jobs and relationships.

We sometimes have social events too - its up to us to arrange them!

Seagulls Independent Speaking Up Group (Weymouth)

Click here to see their website

We meet up once a month to talk about things that are important to us, make films to help everyone and have lots of social events.  We have been going for 10 years.

How to get involved

Many of Dorsets groups are looking for volunteers.  This is what volunteer supporters do:

     Help groups to meet and to talk about the things that are important to them.

     Offer suppport and information without giving advice or being judgemental.

     Help with booking rooms to meet in and with finding transport.

     Let people decide on the things they want to talk about and the work they want the group to

     do.

How can I join a Speaking Up group?

If you are a person with a learning difficulty who would like to join a speaking up group, have a look at the groups above and see which one is near you. Then, give the Dorset People First office a ring on 01305 257600 and we will put you in touch with the person who runs that group.

Dorset’s Self Advocacy Groups

Brainstormers (Whitehouse Centre, Sherborne)

Things we say are confidential. Sometimes we have parties and days out. We learn things, we watch videos, and have a general good chat with our friends.

Bridporters (Bridport)

Hello, we are a group of people who meet every month to talk about the things that are important to us.... like living independently, transport costs, our health and jobs.  We enjoy going out for a meal and playing skittles.

Wareham Group

We have had to stop meeting at the moment, because our volunteers are no longer able to support us to run meetings. If you think you could help out by volunteering, contact Sally at Dorset People First on 01305 257600.

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