Self-Advocacy (3)

Hi readers, it’s Kerry and Ellie, following on our last two columns about self-advocacy. This week we share why People First Dorset (PFD) is vital for us.

Where to start, or be brief, is hard. There are so many benefits! It’s got us thinking too, like more engaging content on the PFD website or YouTube page, to bring this to life.

Here in Dorset, some key (there are more) things PFD enables us to achieve are - be more confident; find our power (be empowered) to speak up; have amazing peer group friends where we look out for, and support each other; have a neutral and trusted place to share concerns (either no-one else, or hard to tell family or carer); be part of our local community; work together to find solutions when society ‘dis’ables us; develop skills; be more independent; improve our health and wellbeing.

When you have a learning disability, succeeding in any of these things is difficult. Activities are free so no-one is excluded due to cost. PFD need professional staff to run sessions and keep activities safe, sustainable and productive, so donations and grants are vital.

We know it makes a massive difference to us, and saves money, putting a figure on this is difficult. But funders and donors need to know this! The good news? Just last week, thanks to Henry Smith charity funding 15 organisations like us over 3 years, we have a figure. Their evaluation partner, Social Finance, have been assessing the benefits. They found the funding generated an estimated £34.5million in savings for public services. That means, for every £1 invested in our community led advocacy, an estimated £12 could be saved!

Tune in next week where I, Kerry, and Emily, tell you about going to the Houses of Parliament this week to help present this report.

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff