An in-depth read marking the 10th Anniversary of when horrifying scenes of abuse were exposed at Winterbourne View. Piece by bemix self-advocacy leadership team - Steve, Michael and Sammy. Read more
A campaign to keep the Whorlton Hall scandal on the political agenda, and press the government to act on its promises. Read more
We joined a panel for Occupational Therapy students at Christchurch University to talk about the value of co-production in our work. Read more
We are joining forces with other advocacy organisations to renew a louder voice for change. Read more
bemix began with the rising up of people with learning difficulties as ‘self-advocates’ - speaking up for themselves and taking control of their lives. Self-advocacy is people speaking up confidently for themselves instead of needing someone else to speak for their interests.
We encourage self-advocacy in all of our work in bemix. We have a Self Advocacy Leadership team which works on supporting people in Kent to speak up and make their voices heard in the decisions that affect them and others with learning difficulties. It is also working with Learning Disability England and other self-advocacy organisations in England to rebuild a united national voice from self-advocates.
Picture (left to right): Matt Clifton, Trevor Cave, Michael Lillis, Charlie Clay, Sammy Lamb, Steve Chapman
bemix Co-Chair, Jobs Champion and Co-Chair of the Supported Employment Governance Team, Senior Expert by Experience (Care and Treatment Reviews) & Lead Self-Advocate and Peer Advocate
Steve says “We need more speaking up, and training so people learn to ask the right questions about what is being done to support them. I’m excited about joining up with other groups to do this.”
Expert by Experience (Care and Treatment Reviews) & Self-Advocate
Sammy is a member of the Be Seen Be Heard group in Dover which campaigns in schools. She took part in an important protest in London against the over-use of long stay secure hospitals. She also works as a panel member in Care and Treatment Reviews. Initially, Sammy needed support in this work but she now works independently.
Expert by Experience (Care and Treatment Reviews), Lead Supporter (Sportsnet) & Self-Advocate
Michael is a a sports leader with a learning difficulty who works independently without needing support. "At the end of each session I always give the group of what they would like to do the week after. That way the leader is not taking control - it is about people's choices - what they want to do"
We reflect on the terrible abuse still happening in some care homes and ask what can we do about it? Read more