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  • #right2home Campaign

    #right2home Campaign

    A campaign to keep the Whorlton Hall scandal on the political agenda, and press the government to act on its promises. Read more

  • Being Together, not Doing Alone

    Being Together, not Doing Alone

    We joined a panel for Occupational Therapy students at Christchurch University to talk about the value of co-production in our work. Read more

  • Starting a new social movement

    Starting a new social movement

    We are joining forces with other advocacy organisations to renew a louder voice for change. Read more

  • #right2home Campaign
  • Being Together, not Doing Alone
  • Starting a new social movement
  • Next
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  1. Home
  2. Self Advocacy

Self Advocacy

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.  

The Team

Picture (left to right): Matt Clifton (bemix Chief Executive), Sammy Lamb, Rachel Jones (Transforming Care, Kent and Medway), Michael Lillis, Steve Chapman

Steve Chapman 

bemix Co-Chair, Jobs Champion, Supporter (Music and Media), Expert by Experience (Care and Treatment Reviews) & Self-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.”

Sammy Lamb

Expert by Experience (Care and Treatment Reviews) & Self-Advocate

Sammy is a member of the Be Seen Be Heard in Dover which campaigns in schools. She took part in the recent protest in London against the over-use of long stay secure hospitals. She has also just been trained as a panel member in Care and Treatment Reviews.

Michael Lillis

Expert by Experience (Care and Treatment Reviews), 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"

Self Advocacy News

#right2home Campaign

#right2home Campaign

A campaign to keep the Whorlton Hall scandal on the political agenda, and press the government to act on its promises. Read more

Published: 8th May, 2020

Updated: 9th November, 2020

Author: Louise Allen

Related topics:
  • Self Advocacy
  • Campaign news
  • Current campaigns
‘House of mongs’ - the scandal of abuse in Whorlton Hall

‘House of mongs’ - the scandal of abuse in Whorlton Hall

We reflect on the terrible abuse still happening in some care homes and ask what can we do about it? Read more

Published: 6th June, 2019

Updated: 12th November, 2019

Author: Louise Allen

Related topics:
  • Campaign news
  • Self Advocacy
Being Together, not Doing Alone

Being Together, not Doing Alone

We joined a panel for Occupational Therapy students at Christchurch University to talk about the value of co-production in our work. Read more

Published: 4th December, 2019

Updated: 6th November, 2020

Author: Louise Allen

Related topics:
  • Self Advocacy
  • Wellbeing News
Starting a new social movement

Starting a new social movement

We are joining forces with other advocacy organisations to renew a louder voice for change. Read more

Published: 5th June, 2019

Updated: 12th November, 2019

Author: Louise Allen

Related topics:
  • Campaign news
  • Self Advocacy
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Showing 10 of 4

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    Life Choices Coaches (Specialist Supporters for individuals with ASD)

    Are you passionate about supporting people with autism to fulfil their dreams and ambitions? We are recruiting Coaches for our Life Choices team.

  • Evil Town – Nigel’s Christmas Nightmare

    Evil Town – Nigel’s Christmas Nightmare

    A Christmas song with a Halloween twist! Our music group gets together over Zoom to create something special for Christmas.

  • Books Beyond Words

    Books Beyond Words

    bemix groups trial and review new book, due to be released by Beyond Words. The book is about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. Come and see what we thought!

  • The Lockdown Interviews - Leigh Heggarty

    The Lockdown Interviews - Leigh Heggarty

    In conversation with Leigh Heggarty, guitar player with Ruts DC, Alvin Gibbs and the Disobedient Servants, The Slogans and The Price.

Most read

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    We are people with and without learning difficulties and/or autism, working and learning together. Whether it’s to be seen working, be heard campaigning or belong to a friendly group of people, people achieve their goals with bemix.

  • Contact us

    Details of our office addresses, phone number and email address. Contact us directly using our contact form.

  • Apply for a job

    Apply for our current job openings here

  • Our bemix journey

    Our bemix journey

    How the organisation began. Where we are now. Where we are going. Find out about our journey from Skillnet Swale to bemix.

  • Life Choices (one-to-one support)

    Life Choices (one-to-one support)

    One-to-one support for people with autistic spectrum conditions. A coach will work with you to find out what your goals are. They will work alongside you, at your pace, to do the things you want

  • Who we support

    Who we support

    We are people with and without learning difficulties and/or autism working and learning together.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Want to see what we do at bemix? Watch our short film to find out more.

  • Belonging - World Mental Health Day 2018

    Belonging - World Mental Health Day 2018

    How is people's mental health improved by being seen, heard and belonging?

  • Our vision and values

    Our vision and values

    We believe that all people should be treated as equals. All people should be valued as individuals. bemix wants to make sure that they are. With bemix, people can be seen, be heard and belong.

  • Supported Intern Alex achieves beyond expectations

    Supported Intern Alex achieves beyond expectations

    It is the final month of the Supported Internships programme for this year's students. One of the students, Alex, has achieved above and beyond his goals for the course.

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bemix is the trading name of bemix (formerly Skillnet Group). Company No. 4567984. Incorporation date: 21/10/02 Incorporated in the United Kingdom. Main Registered Office: Unit 3, Roper Yard, Roper Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7ER.

Be seen, be heard, belong

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