ENABLE National Young People's Self Advocacy Forum

The ENABLE Young Persons' Self Advocacy project brings together young people with learning disabilities / difficulties and their peer supporters to work together, share experiences and to make sure their voices are heard. 

ENABLE is the largest membership organisation for people with learning disabilities and family carers in Scotland. 

Some young people with learning disabilities can find it hard to speak up for themselves – for all sorts of reasons. Young people from local ENABLE self-advocacy groups come together to share their ideas and opinions on areas of common interest at meetings of the National Young People's Self Advocacy Forum. The aim is to support young people with learning disabilities to develop their confidence to share their opinions and to take part in decisions that affect their lives. 

Children and adults with learning disabilities are just like anyone else in most ways. The difference is that they will have more difficulty in learning how to do things, adapting to new situations and coping independently.

There can be a great variation in the degree of learning disability. Sometimes the disability can be so mild that it is barely noticed; other people have such profound learning disabilities that they will always need help and support in every aspect of their lives. 

The National Self Advocacy Project for Young People involves young people with learning disabilities / difficulties from across Scotland. Representatives from each of the local self-advocacy groups come together four times a year to discuss issues arising from local groups and issues already of current or national importance. 

Representatives are joined by their peer supporters. Young people from mainstream schools volunteer to become peer supporters and are trained to support group members to participate in meetings. 

Creative methods are used to discuss and explore issues through drama, art, music and story. Representatives' opinions and ideas are expressed to ENABLE and are conveyed to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Executive and other national organisations. In 2003 young people from the self advocacy groups visited Bute House and gave presentations to Jack and Bridget McConnell. The work of the National Young People's Self Advocacy Forum was shown to the cabinet by the First Minister in November 2003. 

I think that young people didn't get to say what they wanted and voice their opinions as individuals but now the group has formed our voices are heard and we are noticed. 

In May 2004 the National Young People's Self Advocacy Forum met in the ballroom of the Station Hotel in Perth. Participants, from as far a field as Thurso, came together with the group of friends they had made over the last year. By Saturday morning the representatives and their peer supporters had already travelled across country by train, socialised over dinner, met people from the BBC to talk about the TV programme 'Teen Commandments' and had a night of African drumming and dancing. The Saturday meeting was also full of music making and movement with plenty of activities to participate in. 

Representatives, peer supporters and advocacy workers from Ross-shire, Caithness, Central Fife, North East Fife and Perth were joined by ENABLE's Children's Officer and National Group Co-ordinator, the ENABLE Scotland Service Manager and the Music Man. 

In previous meetings the young people had worked on a group of words and short phrases which summed up how they felt about the National Self Advocacy group. 'Pride', 'have fun', 'make new friends', 'try new things' and 'say what I think' were written out on pieces of card to help to develop a mission statement or slogan. 

Local groups worked separately to come up with their own phrases. Peer supporters and group workers highlighted the words already noted and encouraged new ideas and self expression. The young people carefully worked out what they wanted to say and when all the groups were ready each 'mission statement' was shared with the whole meeting. 

The young people and their peer supporters then voted on which of the slogans they liked the best and these words were later worked into a call-and-response chant with backing percussion led by the Music Man. 

Coming together as a group is very important for meeting friends and having good fun. We enjoy travelling to a new place, trying new things - it gives me a feeling of excitement, pride and enjoyment, happiness and feeling good. Coming together in the group has given me more confidence. I feel relaxed. I like talking about my life and hearing about other people's lives. We would like other young people to experience what we have and understand each other. 

The National Young People's Self Advocacy Forum works simultaneously on a number of different levels. First and foremost it gives young people with learning difficulties a national voice. Through ENABLE that voice is heard by politicians, educators, the media and the public. It allows young people to grow by trying out new things, find the confidence to speak and work within a large group and to make new friends in a fun and supportive environment.

The peer supporters also benefit significantly through their work and ongoing involvement. They voluntarily give their spare time to help others and in return learn a host of new skills, gain valuable experience in a national setting and grow as people. 

First and foremost, the needs of people with learning disabilities are social and educational. With education, support and opportunities, they can achieve a great deal - just like anyone else. 

ENABLE is the largest membership organisation for people with learning disabilities and family carers in Scotland. Nationally, ENABLE provides information, legal advice, support for local groups focused on the needs of children and support for self advocacy. 

ENABLE
6th Floor
7 Buchanan Street
Glasgow G1 3HL

Tel: 0141 226 4541
Fax: 0141 204 4398

E-mail: enable@enable.org.uk
Website: www.enable.org.uk

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