Are you supportive, a good listener and non-judgmental?
Are you a good communicator?
Can you give some time to vulnerable people who need help to speak up for themselves?

Speak Out supports local adults with learning disabilities, to have their voices heard, their rights upheld, and to feel included and valued in our community.

Volunteers make this happen...

by advocating for one person to help sort out a problem
by supporting a self-advocacy group to speak up about important issues
or by joining our management committee to help steer the work we do

Next training March 2011

To be involved, and to help make a difference to people's lives, please contact us on 01273 421921 or email sarahcoombes@bhspeakout.org.uk

Volunteer advocates work with individuals with learning disabilities. Some work with a person over many years, supporting them to learn new opportunities, skills and to lead more fulfilling and independent lives. Some work with a person for a much shorter period, helping them sort out a specific issue.

All advocates get initial training and ongoing supervision and support. You do not need any previous experience or specific skills, but you do need to be a person who believes that people with learning disabilities should have the same rights and choices to do everyday things as everyone else.

You need to have an open mind able to think of creative solutions to support people who may be trapped in a rut.

All volunteers will need to have a CRB check.

Volunteer Advocacy Group supporters work with a member of staff to support people to think about and speak up about issues that are important to them.

People in the groups may want to look things up on the Internet, make phone calls or write letters to get issues changed. Group supporters help them do this.

Some group members attend conferences or consultation focus groups. We are looking for group supporters to go with people, supporting them with transport, and to take part and speak up at the event itself.

Volunteer group supporters enable people with learning difficulties to play an influential part as local citizens.

Speak Out runs a small number of events each year, such as our AGM. Volunteers are always needed to help these run smoothly. This is something you can do as, and when, you feel you want to. Very little training is needed. All you need is common sense, an unflappable personality and a friendly and approachable manner.

It costs around £150,000 a year to run Speak Out. We are always trying to raise money for the following year. Can you help us?

• Maybe you sit on an organisation’s fundraising committee and can recommend that it donates some money to Speak Out?
• Maybe you like running marathons or some other high profile activity, and would like to donate your sponsorship money to Speak Out?
• Could you make a regular donation towards Speak Out's work?
• Would you like to leave money to Speak Out in your will?

Please contact Brighton and Hove Speak Out if you would like to contribute.