Lewisham Speaking Up is a charity that works to support and provide advocacy services to people with learning disabilities in the south-east London borough of Lewisham. Our charitable objectives are:
(a) to relieve and support people disadvantaged by learning disability, difficulty or special need through advocacy services which promote their rights and entitlements as equal citizens;
(b) to advance and promote education of all people with learning disabilities through group work, training and other relevant advocacy practice;
(c) to advance the education of the public about the educational, physical, emotional and psychological needs of people with learning disabilities.
We have an inclusive Board of Trustees, with a range of skills and experience, including four people who are experts by experience. We offer full training and support to our Board Members.
Lewisham Speaking Up is an independent advocacy charity led by and for people with learning disabilities. We help to give people a voice, supporting people to speak up for themselves and making sure that others listen. We are about protecting rights and promoting equality.
We support Lewisham’s People’s Parliament, a number of successful self-advocacy groups plus provide vital 1-2-1 advocacy support to many vulnerable people living in the Borough of Lewisham, SE London.
A local and community-focused charity, we employ a small but dedicated team of full and part-time workers, including 14 people with learning disabilities who work as MPs to Lewisham’s ‘People’s Parliament’ and as Trainers on our Hate Crime Project