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conference report
Together for a strong, united voice

Discussions ran from social care law to speed dating – and the ‘big bosses’ were held to
account – at the North West Regional Forum’s first national self-advocacy convention, held
alongside its annual advocacy conference. Sue Sharples and Amanda Topps report

ou could feel the energy, passion support, and to develop local joint action
and excitement in the room at the plans for service development.
Ythree-day North West Regional The hot topics this year included better
Forum’s 16th annual conference in communication with self-advocates, more
Blackpool on a sunny February day. co-production, support for friends and
This atmosphere was echoed by Mark relationships and innovative ways of
Warren, director of community health people giving feedback to the
and adult social care at Oldham, who commissioners about their services,
commented on the “dedication, especially when they are not working well.
motivation and commitment” of the The conference anthem this year, sung
self-advocates. Delegates enjoy after-work entertainment and signed in unison by those present –
This year was also the inaugural including the big bosses – was Rise by
national self-advocacy convention led by Dating and Makaton Sing and Sign. The Jonas Blue, and included the words “they
Learning Disability England. Joining the topical Brexit workshop was also very can’t hold us down any more”.
300 delegates were LDE co-founder Gary popular. An important workshop, hosted Delegates certainly rose to the
Bourlet and its chief executive officer Sam by Merseyside People First, covered Red occasion, showing genuine recognition of
Clarke, who added a national voice Flags for Cancer Symptoms; illustrated political and economic barriers to change,
alongside the north-west attendees. with a video, this showed that people while holding the bosses to account
with learning disabilities were dying too Apprentice-style by ranking their plans as
young because cancer was not being either hired or fired.
diagnosed early enough. Blackpool did not disappoint and, away
Ray James, NHS England learning from the hard work of the conference itself,
disability national director, gave the there was a notable gala dinner, with DJ,
keynote speech on the NHS 10-year plan, magician, karaoke and a fun photobooth.
which was followed by some pointed Delegates also had a chance to give their
questioning on current health provision, views in a Big Brother booth, view the
alongside acknowledgement that the social history exhibition about Calderstones
Learning Disabilities Mortality Review to and Brockhall hospitals, watch a video
review deaths of people with learning about the latest developments at
disabilities had not gone far enough. Calderstones’ cemetery, write on a graffiti
Sean Dempsey of Self Advocacy in Salford was The conference was complemented by wall and add to the 100 Years of Learning
presented with the Derek Russell Outstanding a market place with organisations such Disability Nursing celebratory artwork.
Leader’s Award at the conference as Meet-n-Match, a growing dating and The event, organised by independent
friendship agency in the north-west that consultant Jason Rhodes and Pathways
This gathering, with advocacy as its supports people to not only meet Associates, provided an excellent platform
main theme, was a reminder that the but also learn about keeping safe when for self-advocates from across the UK to
voices of people with a learning disability dating. Change, Shared Lives Plus, campaign together and speak up to make a
need to be at the forefront of debate at GM Gold, the U-Night Group and Together difference in the lives of people with
local, regional and national levels more All are Able were also present and shared learning disabilities, potentially heralding
than ever. information and ideas. the revival of a national self-advocacy
A member of People First Merseyside “It is a time to share what we have been movement. Delegates displayed tiger-like
said: “We are trying to advance to new doing and celebrate everything that’s confidence, intensity and advocacy skills. n
levels for people with learning disabilities good but also to come together and
and think outside the box for everyone reflect on what’s not great and what we
with disabilities.” can do to make things better for Key points
Mark Ashton, from the Salford Listening everybody in the north west and make a
to People self-advocacy group, talked positive change,” said Daniel Hall a The three big issues identified by
about new ideas about network circles self-advocate from Chorley Voice For All. self-advocates at the conference:
and “bud buses”, where people take a bus On the third day, the delegates are ● ●Meaningful relationships
journey together so they can be confident traditionally joined by what they call the ● ●New funding cuts
when getting to places. “big bosses” – local authority and health ● ●Housing, including a fear of
Other workshops included the Social commissioners who join the conference returning to institutions with
Care Green Paper, Sexual Self Advocacy, for an opportunity to hear how self- proposed new-build flat schemes Sue Sharples
Health Matters, My Home My Way, Speed advocates want to transform care and

26 Vol 32 No 4 | Summer 2019 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk