Speaking Up Together newsletter Autumn/Winter 2018

issue 37

Autumn/Winter 2018

We had a wonderful time at the Young Adults Art exhibition called Inside Out A big thank you to everyone who came and supported us Please pop into Community House and take a look at our group photograph on canvas on the wall find out more on page 10

Bromley Together Advocacy for All is an independent advocacy organisation and an equal opportunities employer. Charity no: 1064855.

in this newsletter 3 4

Bexley Speaking Up

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Bromley Together All stars

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Ladies group

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Young adults

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Bromley Speaking up Group

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our news

A team Bromley Together Young advisors Speaking Up in schools Easy Read Speak up Sutton Dates for your diary

our news Fitness award Teresa has won a Mencap Keep fit award.

I found it emotional because I didn’t think I would get it. written by Teresa

Ramsgate holiday 01843 582785 “I didn’t want to come back. It was lovely at Denise’s . She was really friendly .

I went waking along the coast to Broadstairs Wayne langmeadguesthouse.co.uk

Duncan’s award I entered a competition through Ruxley Manor best allotment plot.

I got bronze for the 2rd time

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We went out to Pizza Express with Stuart to celebrate him getting married to Kelly.

Well done Congratulations

We went to Queen Mary’s Hospital for the opening of the new Community Learning Disability young adults art exhibition It was nice seeing the photographs of our group - April I played the music which helped people to chill - Chris There was a taster day in Bexleyheath at Erith Sports centre to have a go at riding a bike called Wheels to well being

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over the summer we went out and about in Bexleyheath Visiting Duncan’s allotment It was very peaceful - Lucy I enjoyed feeding the birds - Stephen I did the watering and the weeding -Josh I got wetcleaning the pond - Miranda

Drumming in Danson Park It was fantastic . It was a good experience if you had not done it before Written by Tanya

They said I had rhythm Written by Stephen

I enjoyed it. It was a nice feeling Written by Miranda

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Bromley Together Exciting news!

We are starting to plan a new All stars group for Bexley!

We are looking for volunteers to help with the new group.

Do you know someone who could volunteer?

Talk to Amalia 0345 3101812 More exciting news We will be starting Come Dine with me events Would you like to cook a healthy meal and invite your friends?

Talk to Jan or Rachel if you are interested!

I have done a Come dine with me event when we did the filming for ITV. I made pasta salad and fruit kebabs.

I did it with my friends. It was really fun.�

Polly

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Lads group In the September lads group we talked about different relationships.

We had lots of pictures of people with different ages, jobs and appearances.

We gave each character a name.

Then we made up stories about the different relationships between each character.

yo u

We were talking about who you might talk to about a night out.

One of the lads said ‘You would say that to your friend but not to your boss.’

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Ladies Group Ladies Group Feelings, Emotions and Wellbeing

Nervous, because I was shy at meeting new people at work ‘talking

Frustrated at being bossed around by my family

Afraid of losing someone, but I can still feel them at home

about feelings can be good for some Ecstatic, when I got the people, news that I was on the but hard for Olympic team! other’s to share their emotions’ It was good to talk about my feelings in a confidential place

you have the power!

We played this Stereophonics song about good and bad day’s – Copy this link to have a listen: https://bit.ly/2C08ulr 8

5 ways you can show gratitude

1.Be amazed at all the goodness we take for granted every day

2.Keep a journal of things you are grateful for

3.Give out one compliment daily

4.Vow not to complain, or gossip for a week!

5.Join a cause that’s important to you by donating money, time, or talent Quote; ‘good, this might help me in my meeting tomorrow’

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Bromley Together

Art exhibition

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My favourite thing was watching the show.

When Anna played her guitar and Christian played the piano.

Adam L

I think it was great.

I how it showed us as a group and how different we all are Sarah K

It was good. I enjoyed it I came with my dad. He bought my picture.

Rhiannon H

Running it was good.

We did really well.

I loved the music.

Annie P

It was fantastic. There was lots of entertainment. My favourite bit was the art near the office kitchen.

Laura F

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Our Speak up group have been writing reviews on Tripadvisor for our socials.

Tripadvisor sent us an email telling us about the three reviews.

We found out that we have had 1,282 readers.

3% of the readers were from the United States. Our email is shown here.

Holly says, “This makes me very proud, because of the good work we have been doing, and how well and how hard we have worked on it.”

Jonathan says, “It makes me happy and it makes me feel good, because it is about writing and reading and this proves we can do it!”

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speaking up for adults with a learning difficulty or disability in Bromley What is a podcast?

A podcast is like a radio show.

The word podcast uses the words broadcast and iPod. They can be downloaded from the internet and listened to on a computer, mobile phone or an Mp3 player Our BSUG chair Adam has a love for radio. So we made a podcast. We recorded a chat about how learning disabled adults are sometimes treated like children.

We then played it to the group so we could all share our experiences of being treated like children. This included what happens in families and when we are out and about.

We will post the podcast soon on the website so that you can have a listen to it.

We think it is an important topic for learning disabled persons to talk about.

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Advocacy for All bigger voices– better lives Keeping Safe With The A Team

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disability communication and the law training We did an amazing job with how we presented We used a washing line for ideas and a problem wall which they took down when we found an answer

Charlotte our guest speaker explained about the courts and how she supports people with a learning disability. It was really interesting .

Adam

We learnt a lot from Mark (who talked about having Aspergers) and how it effected him in his day to day life.

He taught us about that how people like the police say things is really important

Stephen

It was really nice to be able to share our expertise (what we know and are good at) with professionals Sarah

Lucy

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Bromley Together speaking up for adults with a learning difficulty or disability in Bromley members monthly meeting We worked in 3 groups and did some role plays about being confident when we are out. We shared our stories and got some handy tips to help us. any trouble tell the bus driver by Jo

stand your ground if you know you are right by George

you have you have you hav you have the power! the power! the powe the power! plan your route and walk with someone if you can by Teresa

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ve er!

sponsored walk in Jubilee Park Sunday 16th September 2018 Bromley Together members with Jackie (supporter) and David (volunteer) walked around Jubilee Park to raise money for a camera.

David wrote a quiz and we had to find different kinds of dogs.

Dave’s quiz was great fun. I liked this walk. Can we do it again?

Words by Polly

It was fun and we are keeping fit Words by Linda

Last Friday of the month

well done everyone we raised over ÂŁ200

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We are focus group for Havering Local Offer Charley

We are also focus group for BHR NHS Trust -

I love the games we play James

Our work is very important - Jack

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I am more confident Charley

I meet new people James

I learn how to work with other people Jack

I like how we help each other - Charley

Mark

Social work training.

Mark is a trainer from our Speaking up Groups in Kent and he worked with the A Team to help train social workers.

His job on the day was to help social workers understand that people with Autism can do some things very well.

There are also times when they need help. just like members of the A Team.

The A Team and the Speaking up Group members from Kent Mark came to get to know the A Team in Bromley before the day.

He enjoyed meeting members of the A Team and said it was really good working with them.

Mark has asked me to thank Jan and all the members of the A Team. It was a good day everyone worked hard.

Mark said that the A Team is well named.

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Glebe School

We have been thinking about why we like about our speaking up group

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Marlborough School Starting the new school year with art We are making scrap books to show off all our hard work.

We have created name tags .

We used these snails to show how brave we all are.

This is so that everyone feels like they

belong.

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Ladies Group

Easy Read

In August we made some films about easy read.

In the films we did role plays about difficult situations.

We talked about real life letters and other information that people gave us that were hard to understand.

I was in a role play about getting a letter about my health, it was hard to understand and really worried me.

We wanted to show people that by making things a little more easy to read how it stopped me being scared and anxious.

We can use the films to train other people about good and bad information.

Josh helped us to do the filming. We really enjoyed making the films.

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We showed people how scary letters you don’t understand can be.

Especially when they are about your health.

I had a heart operation and I was given a book to help me change the way I cook food.

It was so hard to understand .

I just wish it was in easy read

We did a role play about finding out information in the bank .

It was about how people are treated when they ask questions .

It was about people who can’t use the internet easily 23

Speak up Sutton Speak up Sutton goes mystery shopping We had a really good time doing some spy work on the high street.

We visited shops and banks to see if they were accessible and had helpful staff.

‘Some staff were really polite and paid attention to us.’ Rory Most banks on the high street have got good access for wheelchair users.

The corner shop near the station has very helpful staff. The man said he would take time to listen to disabled people.

“Since the last time I visited a shop on the high street, they have now put in a ramp for people in wheelchairs.” Sharon But thumbs down for Primark! The disabled changing room was not in use. The shop was crowded and untidy. We are going to complain.

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Action Voices

First Young persons meeting We played Games and got to know each other which included a dressing up game.

There was lots of laughter and fun getting to know each other , the group Mark = Perfect day, chatting to friends while playing with his computer games.

Juan = Perfect day, , keeping in touch with his cousin after not seeing her for 26 years.

Kayleigh = Perfect day, Spending time with her grandparents.

Denise = Perfect day, having a barbeque, being with people he likes. enjoys helping people.

Kayleigh - time to tell everyone about her week “it made her feel better about stuff “ Denise - the talking about stuff was good “I would like this to happen again” we don’t really know each other , we need to do more stuff together “

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Bromley Together speaking up for adults with a learning difficulty or disability in Bromley F

Community House

Christmas cards and gifts for sale, children’s stall, name the bear, guess the sweets in a jar, refreshments, live Christmas music and more‌.come and join us !

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dates and events

Do you have a learning difficulty or learning disability?

Do you sometimes feel lost and alone?

Join us at our group - meet new people and have fun!

Bromley Well is a new service for people just like you.

For people who do not receive services from Bromley Council.

Meet in a safe private space once a month.

Talk to other people and feel better.

Refreshments & light lunch provided

For more information, contact Jackie 0345 310 1812 jacqueline.allen@advocacyforall.org.uk

find us on social media

/advocacy4all /advocacyforall @biggervoice /biggervoices 28