Advocacy Path - 2008 - Click Here
Advocacy Path - Older - Click Here
Advocacy Toolkit - Click Here
Terms of Reference (updated January 2008) - Click Here

Minutes
3rd March 2009 - Click Here
9th February 2009 - Click Here
12th January 2009 - Click Here
4th August 2008 - Click Here
2nd June 2008 - Click Here
6th May 2008 - Click Here
14th April 2008 - Click Here
27th February 2008 - Click Here
8th Janaury 2008 - Click Here
15th October 2007 - Click Here
10th September 2007 - Click Here
13th August 2007 - Click Here
9th July 2007 - Click Here
13th June 2007 - Click Here
6th June 2007 - Click Here
14th February 2007 - Click Here
17th January 2007 - Click Here

Valuing People Objective:

To enable people with learning disabilities to have as much choice and control as possible over their lives through advocacy and a person-centred approach to planning the services they need.

What we have done so far...

• Developed a local advocacy plan with self-advocates using the PATH diagram;
• Secured funding from the LDDF to help develop independent advocacy for people with learning disabilities in the Borough;
• With self-advocates, established a Wigan & Leigh People First group
• Written a Constitution and the Aims and Objectives for Wigan & Leigh People First;
• Opened a bank account for Wigan & Leigh People First;
• Provided research training (facilitated by Infopoint, Stockport) for self-advocate members to help prepare them carry out a learning disability advocacy audit in the Borough;
• Elected Advocacy Champions in each of the other LDPB subgroups
• Written a job description and person specification for an Advocacy
• Co-ordinator;
• Appointed a full-time Advocacy Co-ordinator who commenced in post at the beginning of June 2007;
• With the Accessible Communications subgroup, supported the setting up of a drama group as another way of communicating and consulting with people with learning disabilities

What we plan to do in the future?

• Carry out an audit of learning disability advocacy in the Borough to understand the different advocacy needs, gaps and provision;
• Organise a public launch event for Wigan & Leigh People First to help raise awareness and promote the group;
• Expand membership of Wigan & Leigh People First and continue strengthening and developing advocacy to enable more people with learning disabilities to access advocacy and ensure this is inclusive;
• Recruit and train volunteers to support self-advocates;
• Seek and acquire continuation funding to ensure the continuity, sustainability and ongoing development of independent advocacy for people with learning disabilities in the Borough;
• Continue to publicise and promote advocacy for people with learning disabilities throughout the Borough;
• Continue to liaise closely with LDPB subgroups and nominated Advocacy Champions to achieve complementary goals. At present working closely with Ethnicity, Accessible Communication and Health subgroups and their Champions.