How it began......
When? The group started in September 2001
Why? In the Governments White paper 'Valuing People' it highlighted the need for Advocacy for people with a learning disability.
How? It all began talking to people in day centres, colleges and schools. Asking them if they would like to set up a group for people to have the opportunity to speak up for themselves. The group also looks at the issues that effect people in Halton.
Who? Halton Speak Out now has members who have very different experiences. They share information and support each other.
What? The group have monthly meetings. They hold meetings with people outside the group to talk about things that are important to them. They have held conferences and consultation work.
How the group is funded
Now: The group is funded by Health and Social Services from there
pooled budget.
The group have received some money from Values into Action to pay 2 members
of staff to work part time. This money has helped them to move into their
own office. This funding ends in November 2003.
Future: We want to secure funding so we can continue our current work and expand our services.
Constitution
Aims and Objectives:
to promote the relief of disabled persons and in particular but not exclusively
a) by the provison of an advocacy service to empower them and to enable them
to make independant decisions and to improve their conditions of life.
b) to advance the education of the public in subjects relating to the disabled
and their disabilities and to the needs of disabled people within the United
Kingdom but in particular Halton.
Membership
Halton Speak Out welcomes all people with learning difficulties resident in
Halton to become members. The group supports an Equal Opportunities Policy
and will ensure its services are available regardless of sex, race, creed
or disability.
Meetings
Meetings of Halton Speak Out will be held regulary, normally once per
month. There will be a monthly committee meeting. Minutes of each meeting
will be taken and kept as a true and correct statement of the previous meeting,
and will be signed as such by the chairperson. Copies of the minutes will
be available to all members. Voting will be on the basis of one vote per member,
except for the chairperson who will have a casting vote.
The committee
The committee will consist of
- The Chairperson
- The Vice Chairperson
- The Secretary
- The Treasurer
Officers of these posts can stand for two consecutive years and then re-elections will take place at the general meeting. The committee will fill any casual vacancy if and when appropriate.
Finance
Any money belonging to the group will be used for the purpose of the group,
and will be managed in accordance with agreed financial procedures. No member
may earn profit from the organisation; however reasonable payments will be
made available for out of pocket expenses, through group business. Separate
financial procedures, responsibility for the keeping of the groups books will
be the responsibility of the Treasurer. Signatories for cheques will be dealt
with by the Treasurer and two other members. A proper record for the income
and expenditure will be available at all Committee meetings.
Amendments to the Constitution
A resolution to amend the constitution will be taken to either the Annual
General Meeting, or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, giving
each member one months notice and including the details of the resulution
to be discussed. The resolution must be passed by a simple majority.
Dissolution
If the committee decides that it has become necessary to dissolve the group,
it will arrange an Extraordinary General Meeting giving each member at least
one months notice and including the details of the resolution to be discussed
at the meeting. The decision to dissolve the club can be made by a simple
majority of all those present and voting ay the meeting. The committee will
have the power to dispose of any of its assets held by or in the name of Halton
Speak Out. After all the debt and liabilities have been paid, what is left
will be offered to local community groups.
Aims for the future
- Halton Speak Out to meet monthly to talk about rights and issues relevant to their lives. To continue to campaign for the rights of people with learning difficulties, educating and informing the public of the needs and rights of people with learning difficulties, promoting control and choices for the individual in achieving their goals.
- Halton Speak Out to continue there involvement with the partnership board bringing about changes and acting as consultants/representatives to voice Haltons population of people with learning difficulties needs and opinions. To act as a monitoring tool in ensuring targets set within the White Paper - Valuing people are met.
- To promote Halton Speak Out and Self Advocacy in Halton providing the opportunity for development of new Self Advocacy groups to enable more people with learning difficulties to have a voice and 'Speak Out'.
- To work with young people with learning difficulties leaving children's and entering adult services (transition). To provide them with an opportunity to discuss in a group their concerns, dreams and aspirations. Introducing them to the benefits of Self Advocacy. Providing information to the young person that will help them to make choices and control their own lives.
Vision for the Future
More self advocacy Speak Out groups based in and around Halton. We aim to
provide support and assistance to a wide range of people with learning difficulties
to voice there opinions and control there own lives. To build confidence,
empower and inspire people to get what they want, need and are entitled to.
