Link Group Volunteer at Brighton & Hove Speak Out

What does the opportunity involve doing?

The Link Group is a group of approx. 6 – 8 people with learning disabilities and one Speak Out staff facilitator who meet every two weeks on a Tuesday morning. We work with the Learning Disability Partnership Board, a group of LD providers and BHCC decision makers, to represent the views of the learning disability community in Brighton and Hove. We run surveys and consultations with the LD community to get their views on local issues and policy, as well as working directly with Council teams to design good policy and deliver accessible events.

Recent examples of this are the survey we did about the state of activities and services in Brighton and Hove post-Covid; and working with the Council's Healthy Lifestyles team to make their annual sports and physical activities festival. TakePart, more accessible for people with learning disabilities.

What the role involves:

• Being available for 2 hours every other week to provide self-advocacy group support at Speak Out offices or an alternative venue in the community
• You will be present to support people in a group setting
• You may be required to attend the Learning Disability Partnership board quarterly
• You will adhere to Speak Out’s Code of Practice
• You may be required to help clear up at the end of sessions.

What induction, training and support is offered?

• You will be supporting the group alongside a member of staff
• Initial induction training will cover the Principles of Advocacy, Speak Out’s Code of Practice and how to advocate within this framework, and training to use Speak Out’s database
• General support will be provided by Link Group coordinator. Group supervision, advocacy forums, social activities throughout the year will be arranged by volunteer coordinator
• Ongoing training opportunities will be available

What skills or qualities are needed?

• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Good listening and observational skills to allow people with learning disabilities to speak up
• To be non-judgmental and respectful towards people
• A sense of fun and humour, and the willingness to try new things
• Understand the need for confidentiality of independent advocacy
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and remain calm in stressful situations
• A willingness to develop skills, engage in supervision and undertake training as required
• Basic IT skills that include Word, Outlook or similar