User:PeejayMac2017/sandbox

Opening Doors

Formerly known as '''People First of Norfolk, the Norwich-based charity in Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom was founded in 1994 by Gary Bourlet, and is unique in that it is one of a few unique organisations that is User-Led by people with learning disabilities for people with learning disabilities.

The organisation has a small staff of just 5 paid employees and a membership of about 100 members, which this organisation calls "Self-Advocates," as terms such as Service User or Client are not well-received.

There is a Management Committee, Trustees, Easy Read (or Accessible Information Officers), Advocacy Advisers, the Self-Advocates. Every January to May, a Student Social Worker is present, in order to provide support in all manner of everyday issues, such as benefits, benefit appeals, housing, financial and emotional and physical support.

As well as Central Norwich, there are other offices, based in Cromer in North Norfolk, Diss in South Norfolk.

The Self-Advocates, who have a variety of Learning and Physical Disabilities are actively involved in training which varies from Pharmacy Training, Easy Read Training, training for a wide range of professionals, such as the National Health Service, doctors, nurses, paramedics, the Police, Norfolk County Council, Student Midwives, so there are more than just a few Training packages, specifically tailored for each group.

There are also groups such as the Advocacy Groups, which are run in Norwich and Cromer on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively, and encourage people with learning disabilities to speak up about any burning issues they feel that are affecting them day-to-day and any challenges they may come across in society. This is a great opportunity for these people to get together in a relaxed, supportive environment and to meet new people and make friends.

There is also the Better Bus Project, which we started back in November 2012, which was co-produced with Norfolk County Council, where a group of people with learning disabilities spoke about their struggles with understanding the 24-hour clock used on bus timetables, the Destination Finder, understanding bus routes, the location of the bus stops, the destinations and the ability to cope with sudden changes to routes or difficulties with the attitudes of the few bus drivers. The Self-Advocates of the organisation also have the role of Travel Trainer, which means that one of these Travel Trainers will go with, either a fellow member or a new member, and introduce them to a new route that they might like to try. They are welcome to have a Supporter/Carer to go with them for extra support if needed. There is some funding to keep these group running and not only that, as well as Norwich, this Travel Training covers King's Lynn in West Norfolk, Great Yarmouth in East Norfolk, Cromer in North Norfolk and Diss in South Norfolk.

Other groups include''Safer Places, Hate Crime, Sun Safe Project, SeeAbility and there are so many different options available too. For more information on this organisation, the website is or you can email directly on - we are always on the look out for more volunteers and welcome more additional funding to make all of our projects a reality and a success.

'Staff as at 2017'Bold text'''

Kate Jones - Senior Adviser Joanne Brown - Senior Adviser Ian Hubbard - Advocacy Development Adviser Aimee Harding - Advocacy Adviser Louise Isherwood - Accessible Information Officer John Pye - Accounts Payable

Volunteer Roles

Chairperson (Volunteer Self Advocate) - Hayley Burwood Training Officer - Janet Brandish Complaints Officer - Peter Moule '''