I don’t think there’s ever been a time when I haven’t been advocating for people. Throughout my working life advocacy has been an integral part, whether it’s producing a drama production, facilitating a discussion, or providing an activity.

The questions you ask as an advocate can range from “How are you?” to “What do you think?” or they can relate to emotions and feelings that many people with learning disabilities have often been excluded from.

Talkback provides so many people, with the opportunity to speak up and have their voices heard. Advocacy is at the heart of what we do. Using creative and visual means, people with learning disabilities have been able to show everyone how to really ‘get it right’.

Over the years, I’ve heard stories that inspire and motivate me, and those stories are a legacy to how society still needs to alter its thinking when designing anything for someone to use. The expression ‘one size fits all’ is inherently wrong. We are all unique, we have good and bad points. What we do all need though is to feel valued, listened too and not to be ‘swept away’ as people with learning disabilities often are.

There are many people out there who still don’t understand the terms learning disability or autism and through Talkback we aim to change that by working alongside the people we represent.

‘I have so much more self-worth now, than I did before’ this was from one of our members who has recently joined us and one of my favourite quotes, ever.

#AAW21

#HearMyVoice

#AdvocacyinAction