• We are now going to pass over to Susie • She is going to tell us about the history of Advocacy for All, and look back at our achievements
In 1996 we set up the Bexley and Bromley Advocacy project was only us and a few volunteers! became the Bromley Coordinator, we hired someone to be the coordinator for Bexley as well, and we trained about 50 volunteers to be advocates for a person with a learning 1998, we became a registered charity
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So, how did it all begin? – A message from Vivienne •
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So, how did it all begin? •
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The group used to meet every two weeks in the Swan and Mitre in Bromley. Joanne, Theresa, Philip, Ben, Sean, Geoff and Linda were the first members. It was important for us to become a self advocacy or speaking up group. They liked the social side
Helen Bates came to work with us to do all our admin. She stayed with us for years, and became our Office Manager
One of the members, Philip, came up with idea of calling the group Bromley Sparks as he said “we spark off each other”
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The group interviewed some people and decided that Yaninka was the best person for the job. They weren’t wrong were they?
Getting bigger! • We became Bromley and Bexley Advocacy, with paid advocates working with us • I am very proud to say that Three Guineas Trust funded us to start the first advocacy project for people with Autism in England. • We promoted self advocacy, speaking up, and easy read more than anyone else.
Getting bigger! • We produced all our newsletters and annual reports in easy read • We held some amazing speaking up group annual reviews with people being supported to run all aspects of them themselves. • I was always in charge of the voting!
Getting bigger! • Our main annual reviews were amazing. • All the groups were represented – I was so proud of the organisation and you all. • People always said they came to our events because they were such fun and “showed what people can do and not what they can’t” • Helen was great at doing the catering on the smallest budget!
Getting bigger! • Over the years the organisation grew and grew. • Children in Need funded our advocacy group for young people 14-18, Bromley Council funded a community advocate, we started an advocacy group for older people in Bexley • We started to do a lot of easy read work, including a directory for services in Bromley
Recent times • We started to work in lots more areas such as Greenwich, Lewisham, Sutton, Kingston, Kent and Havering. • We changed our name to Advocacy for All • We started to offer IMCA and RPR Advocacy, Care Act Advocacy, NHS Complaints Advocacy and much more. • We achieved the Quality Performance Mark for Advocacy and Investors in People.
In 2016 we had over 50 people working for us and I had, for many years, been the Chief Executive. After 20 years, I thought it was time to let someone else do the job and since then you have had Jon as your Chief Executive.
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What we look like today • We have 65 advocates • They support over 4500 people every year • We work in 7 areas in South London and Kent • The Speaking Up groups are still going strong in Bromley, Bexley, Sutton, Havering, and Kent • We have offices in Swanley, Bromley, Faversham and Sutton
Recent projects • Health Ambassadors – providing a voice for adults with autism and learning difficulties regarding health and the NHS • Touch Base – supporting adults with autism who are experiencing mental health challenges • Ensure Project – training some of our Kent ASC group members to become peer supporters to support others • We will be starting a Community Advocacy post in Bexley • Easy Read is still going strong, and we have recently had additional funding to develop a social enterprise • The A Team and Media Team, along with Easy Read Team, are working together more – forming the Bromley Together Training Team
I think we all deserve a round of applause for the great work over the last 25 years!
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Best wishes and love from Vivienne
word from Vivienne •
I am still flying the flag for advocacy and work freelance as an advocate. I love being an advocate again and while I miss you all, I don’t miss the tenders and contracting side. I am so proud of what we all achieved as a team while I was with you and just as proud to see and hear that the good work continues and goes from strength to strength. I am so pleased that a lot of the Speaking Up together groups are still around. I’m sorry I can’t be with you but have a great evening and I will make sure I make 30 years.
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Can I please hand you over to the Committee They are hosting a chat show, looking back at the last 25 years
I'm really sorry not to be able to be part of today's celebrations. However I know it will be a great day that shows the heart and soul of Advocacy for All.
I'd also like to thank every member, volunteer, board member and staff member who has contributed to making such significant differences in the lives of people we support and work with. And a special honourable mention to Jan and Susie for the work they have done for this celebration.
A word from Jon, our CEO.
I'm immensely proud to have been involved in the last six years of AfA. It is a truly remarkable organisation, who continues to achieve so much. AfA has worked with local people across many areas and continues to punch above its weight.
I would like to thank everyone who has been part of today in putting it together.
A word from Jon, our CEO.
Thisenhance.celebration is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the amazing work everyone involved with AfA for the last 25 years has contributed to. Thank you to everyone and I look forward to our next 25 years, providing kind, innovative and quality support to the people who need it.
I would like to recognise and thank Vivienne Lester, who provided such wonderful leadership, to take AfA from a small community group to the organisation we recognise today. Without Vivienne, we would not have such an effective organisation, nor the wonderful reputation, which out staff and volunteers continue to
Final words • We have heard this afternoon about how things have changed over the years for Advocacy for All • The thing that remains the same is our commitment to each other, and making the lives of those we support better and bigger • Bigger Voices, Better Lives!
Final words • We want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who have put in so much work to make today possible • Big thank you to the committee for all the preparation they put in for today • A big shout out to our peer supporters – you are fantastic! • Keep on keeping on to all of our wonderful staff! • A final huge thank you to everyone who has had any involvement with Advocacy for All over the last 25 years
