Community and Relationships
Introduction
Welcome to Issue 48 of the Speaking Up Together Newsletter
This issue is all about community and relationships.
Over the summer, we went out and about and explored our community and had fun.
We have also recently finished our Relationships Course, and want to celebrate what we learned from it.
We hope you enjoy reading about the work we have been doing recently, and the speaking up we have done
From, the Speaking Up Together News Team
Our news
Bexley member Duncan was recently involved in the Disability Pride event held by XbyX. He gave a presentation about his brilliant woodwork!
Bromley member Laura wants to share she has had all her scans and they have come back clear! This means she is now 5 years free from cancer. Congratulations Laura!
A new Health Sub group has started in Bromley. Member Gill is co-chair of the board! If you would like to get involved, speak to Sarah Dowding
Our news
Recently, the Bromley groups were involved in The Big Plan with Bromley Council. This was all about ideas for what makes a good life. Feedback from this event will be shared in the new year.
Friend of AFA, Ade, was nominated for an award at the Bexley Volunteer Excellence Awards. Here is Ade with Isaac and Bexley member Duncan (his brother) at the awards show. Well done Ade!
Susie Bell is writing a story! It is a story about romance and crime. It is still a work in progress. We look forward to seeing some of it in 2025!
We welcome Shanique! She is a student who is on placement with us until March. She has been getting stuck in with the groups, and amazed us with her singing at the karaoke! We are glad to have her with us! We have had some new members join us. Make sure to say hello to new faces in your groups.
If you would like to share some news in the next edition, speak to Susie Moorefinch
Relationships Course
This year, we ran a 6 month course learning about relationships and friendships. George and Teresa share their thoughts on the project.
In the groups, we talked about friendships and relationships, and what makes a good friend and partner
We played games and activities to help us learn.
We also went out as a group, to the pub, cinema, The Beautiful Octopus club, and for afternoon tea at Bromley Court Hotel
We also learned about caring for ourselves from Erika’s friend, Andrea. Claire, who is an expert, joined us for few sessions where we talked about sexual health, and we shared stories from our pasts
My favourite part of the course was the pampering evening. It helped me relax!
My favourite part of the course was playing the games, and also the pampering session with Andrea
By George and Teresa
Relationships interviews
We interviewed different couples and friends, Mr and Mrs Style, to see what is important in the different relationships we have
George and Teresa (couple)
Favourite thing to do together?
Going walking and eating!
What do you like most about Teresa?
Her smile
How long have you known each other?
About 14 years
What word makes you think of Teresa?
Personality
What is the most important thing in a relationship?
Love and togetherness
Favourite thing to do together?
Snog! Just kidding. Going out together and spending time together
What do you like most about George?
He is a gentleman who treats me well and helps me
How long have you known each other?
14 years
What word makes you think of George?
Gentleman
What is the most important thing in a relationship? Trust in your partner
Relationships interviews
Favourite thing to do together?
Going out. We do a lot together.
What do you like most about Gill?
She is so supportive. She was there when my mum passed away. I can always rely on Gill to support me.
How long have you known each other?
Over 20 years!!
What word makes you think of Gill?
Good friend
What is the most important thing in a friendship?
Being there fore each other
Laura and Gill (friends)
Favourite thing to do together?
Watching the football at Crystal Palace
What do you like most about Laura?
She is a very nice person and a good friend
How long have you known each other?
A very long time! Since Oakfield days!
What word makes you think of Laura?
Crystal Palace
What is the most important thing in a friendship?
Supporting each other
Laura Gill
Relationships interviews
Paul and Susie (couple)
Favourite thing to do together?
Watching films
Her
20
Favourite thing to do together?
Watching films
Paul Susie
Relationships interviews
Matthew and Gordon (friends)
Gordon Matthew
Favourite thing to do together?
Socials with Bromley Together
What do you like most about Matthew?
Matthew is very friendly
How long have you known each other?
Since 2002
What word makes you think of Matthew?
Friendly
What is the most important thing in a friendship?
Being kind, helpful, and supportive
Couples interviewed by Polly
Favourite thing to do together?
Chatting on WhatsApp
What do you like most about Gordon?
Gordon is friendly and a familiar face
How long have you known each other?
A very long time!
What word makes you think of Gordon?
Mate
What is the most important thing in a friendship?
Someone who listens and cares
Cudham Trip
The Bromley and Bexley groups did an overnight stay at Cudham Environmental Activities Centre
It will be nice to come in the summertime
We did relaxation and meditation
We made our own pizzas
Cudham Trip
I might be volunteering doing woodwork there!
There’s nothing quite like sitting by the fire with friends and a cuppa!
Bethlem Museum
Our members visited the Bethlem Museum of the Mind at Bethlem Hospital in West Wickham, as part of our mental health topic. We were shown around by Nathan, our volunteer, who also volunteers at the museum. The visit made us think about how mental health was treated in the past
Lads
July
We went to the pub to get out an about in the community and enjoy time together.
“It was good to get out, but also to see how community spaces react to people with disabilities”
September
We talked about the NHS and keeping well. We looked at some Easy Read information about bowel cancer screening and why it is important.
October
We talked about mental health. We shared people and places we can go to get help with our mental health.
Lads
November
We shared our thoughts on why it is important to remember those who gave their lives, as we focused on Remembrance Day. This was made into a social media post
December
We went out to the pub for a Christmas celebration. We had a good time.
Written by George and Gordon
Ladies
July
We talked about keeping safe, fires and hazards.
“It was really interesting” – Susie Bell
September
We talked about keeping safe on the internet, especially on social media and with scams.
“It was very helpful. I got lots of information”
October
We made Halloween crafts, and talking about spooky things!
“I enjoyed making the bats as Batman is my favourite film” – Annie
December
We made Christmas crafts and mood boards “It was very relaxing” - Teresa
Bexley Speaking Up Group
A group of members went to the O2 to go on the cable car.
We got on 2 cable cars and it went fast to begin with.
We saw the River Thames and a lovely view. Duncan and Chris could of stayed there all day. It was a fantastic experience going up and down.
Duncan has never done it before but he would do it again
Sutton
Members from Speak Up Sutton and Action Voices were recently involved in an event for Money Week. There was information shared by Community Action Sutton, SES water, and Thinking Works. The members shared a presentation we have used as part of the Money Matters project. Here is how members felt about the event:
I enjoyed learning about how to use water and electricity wiselyIan
…My dad deals with my finances. I told him after the event I am ready to have a bit more control. The event was very educational - Lucy
Sutton
I spoke with my mum about the money training. They are now supporting my mum with our finances -
Richard
It was very interesting…I enjoyed the video from the Bromley group - Roger
Positive Voices conference
A group of members from our Speaking Up groups went to the Positive Voices conference in Birmingham.
The conference was about what makes a good self advocate, and why self advocacy is important.
The Big Plan is for all the self advocacy groups across the country to help each other and train each other, sharing our skills.
Each group shared what they have been doing, and the projects they are working on. It was great to see all the work everyone is doing.
Positive Voices conference
Isaac made a brilliant video all about our trip and the conference. You can watch it on our Youtube channel. He made it very fast!
Polly said: “this was my first time going, and I had a great time. I really enjoyed meeting all the other self advocates from all over the country, and hearing about what they are doing. My favourite part was the disco!”
Written by Polly
Older People’s Afternoon Tea
On 6th November, we hosted an afternoon tea, where we looked at the Cost of Living Crisis, and how it was particularly affecting older adults with learning disabilities. This is all part of our Older People’s group, which came from Money Matters. We had lots of guests such us Lewisham Speaking Up, Learning Disability Nurses, Mencap, Housing Support, Age UK, XbyX and more. We posted live about it on our social media
Paralympics
In September, we gathered together to watch the Paralympics and cheer on Team GB! Please enjoy some of our silly photos from the day!
“It makes me believe I can be that strong one day” - Adam
Places we enjoy
The News Team share some of their favourite places to go
George
I like London. It is so full of history. I really like Greenwich and walking along the river
Susie Bell
I really love Shoreham by Sea. I went last year with Paul. There were houses made out of train carriages
Polly
I like going to Eastbourne. There is lots you can do, like the arcades and the sea front is pretty
Places we enjoy
The News Team share some of their favourite places to go
Paul Devon. It have happy memories there. The walks are good, and there are good pubs for a drink!
Teresa
I really like going to Crystal Palace Park with my friends. There are interesting food stalls of things to try
Bromley Together Socials
Why should you come on the Bromley
Together Socials?
It is good to meet up outside the group
Nice to be out without supporters. We can be more flexible about time
It gets you out and about away from things that are bothering you.
You feel less isolated
Catch up with friends
You get to see different places
Puppet Show
At the Creative Voices
Together Group we have been preparing for our puppet show.
We are going to film it and then show everyone in the March
We have chosen music and stories that tells everyone “This is me”
We are using speech bubbles pictures, music and our faces.
Dates
Bromley Together groups will start again on 3rd January with Yaninka’s coffee morning at Costa Coffee
Bexley Speaking Up groups will start again on 7th January with the Toby Carvery outing
Speak Up Sutton groups will start again on 8th January with a zoom session
Action Voices groups will start again on 15th January with a zoom session
