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  • My Freedom

    My Freedom

    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

  • #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

  • My Freedom
  • #right2home Campaign
  • Being Together, not Doing Alone
  • Starting a new social movement
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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, Tim, Michael Lillis, Charlie Clay, Sammy Lamb, Steve Chapman

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.”

Sammy Lamb

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.

Michael Lillis

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"

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

‘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

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

My Freedom

My Freedom

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

Published: 27th May, 2021

Updated: 5th March, 2023

Author: Rosina Sharrock

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

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  • Contact us

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  • 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.

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  • Supported Internships for Employers

    EASY READ, BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE MAIN PAGE CONTENT

  • Who we support

    Who we support

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  • 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.

  • Medway Maritime Hospital employ two bemix interns!

    Medway Maritime Hospital employ two bemix interns!

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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: bemix, Office 44 Canterbury Innovation Centre, University Road, Canterbury, CT2 7FG

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