SURVIVOR HISTORY NEWSLETTER

Self Advocate’s Support and Action Group Wednesday 11 January 2023 Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97471173675 Meeting ID: 974 7117 3675 1. Present Andrew Charles Simone Phil 2. Apologies: Ray Jenny Ray Kweku Vicky Geraldine Joanne Russell Samantha Olcay Chris Kieran Sarah Andrew and Jenny welcomed everyone to the meeting of 2023. Our last meeting was 7th December. 3. Check-in Jenny asked how everyone was feeling. Everyone shared their news. 1 Andrew said he’s feeling much better after the flu. It’s been a busy week. Friday he was in Parliament for a Partnership Network meeting. Jenny said she’s feeling ok and has had lots of different things happening – it’s been an interesting time. Vicky said she’s feeling good as a few positive things have happened. In a good mood so there may be some jokes. Sam said she’s feeling alright. She had an appointment on Monday that the outcome has caused some mixed emotions. Charles said he is wondering when we could all meet up in person. I love having time with you because I don’t have many friends. I’m so happy when I have more of a normal life. He hasn’t had any heating this week. Phil said she visited London at the weekend and had lots of lovely food and drink. Since coming back she’s had problems with her electrics. Kweku said he’s been ok and saw a friend last Sunday on his birthday. He’s waiting for a meeting with Waltham Forest Council about the contract for Waltham Forest People First. Sarah said she feels rotten and is in bed with a Lemsip. 2 Olcay said she’s fine now after being ill with a nasty cold. Joanne said she’s been working and is travelling now. She’s rushing back home to get the boiler fixed. The training she delivered this morning went well and she’s booked her hotel in Blackpool for a Northwest conference. This is being run by Pathways Simone said she’s full of the joys of life. She’s been reading through the draft Mental Health Bill recommendations. She attended the Henry Smith event around advocacy. She raised concerns that the money they are offering for nationally co-ordinated advocacy is not enough. She also has boiler problems! 4. Discussion: Themes for 2023 Andrew and Jenny explained that at the last meeting we agreed to focus on the theme of ‘inclusive communication and independent living’. They want to decide what topics to focus on over the coming meetings. Andrew explained that inclusive communication was an important to support independent living so it was a good place to start. 3 Vicky said that a good example of important of information not being accessible is Wirral Council’s latest budget information. Vicky reminded people of what she said last week, ‘Information is knowledge and knowledge is power’. Topic 1: Our local Councils and inclusive communication Topic 2: Independent Living and inclusive communication. Topic 3: Health (Our first contact with health services, such as GPs, pharmacies, emergency services, dentistry) Topic 4: Dentistry and inclusive communication Topic 5: Specialist therapies and referrals Topic 6: Relationship with health professionals Topic 7: Dentistry and inclusive education. Topic 8: Early deaths for people with learning difficulties Topic 9: Homelessness and inclusive communication Topic 10: Bills, banks and inclusive communication. Topic 11: Informed and supportive decision-making and inclusive communication. 4 We agreed to have master classes on specific areas of a topic. For example: Joanne offered to run a session on eye care. Joanne also has lots of videos to share. Break We had a quick discussion about how often we meet. Everyone agreed to keep meeting fortnightly. Vicky suggested that we plan to discuss a topic over 2 weeks, but if we exhaust the topic in one meeting then we move on to the next. Simone said it’s important to think about how decisions are made. Sarah said that inclusive communication is essential for informed decision making. We emphasised that the over-arching theme is not just about Easy Read. Inclusive communication is important for all areas of our lives and being able to live independent. 5 Today is Holocaust Memorial Day Information share Accessible Legal Information project: This project is looking to recruit 10 people with learning difficulties to attend 6 sessions (£25 per session). Sessions will start in June 2023. Free Our People Campaign are having early conversations with a legal firm and will be looking to work with local self advocacy organisations. 6 The Draft Mental Health Bill has been published, but it is not in easy read. Simone is working with other groups to write a letter. Blogs by Chris • • https://www.aplecollective.com/2023/01/what- exclusion-really-means-chris-burns/ https://www.aplecollective.com/2022/11/travelling- to-london-for-appg-on-poverty/ Action to follow up Action • Invite suggested guests • Agree meeting dates for 2023 Next meeting: Wednesday 8th February 2023 12:30pm - 2:30pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97471173675C 7 Chris’s artwork 8 9