A charity has been awarded £411,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund which will help to cover running costs for the next four years.
Brighton and Hove Speak Out said that the money would help the independent advocacy charity to expand its Learning Disability Voices Network across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex
Over the next four years, the project is expected to support more than 400 people with learning disabilities, including people with both a learning disability and autism, to speak up, connect with others and influence local and national decision-making.
The charity said: “The Learning Disability Voices Network aims to help people have a say on issues that matter to them, including social care, housing, benefits, relationships, health services and community life.
“What makes the project distinctive is that participants themselves decide which issues they want to campaign on and discuss.
The network will include
- regular local speaking-up groups and drop-ins
- a ‘Being Heard in Government’ group
- an LGBTQ+ group for people with learning disabilities and autistic people
- quarterly large-scale speaking-up events across Brighton and Hove
“Speak Out also hopes to secure additional funding to organise the city’s first ever Learning Disability Conference in 2027-28.
“For more than 25 years, Brighton and Hove Speak Out has championed the rights of people with learning disabilities, providing opportunities, support and training that enable people to advocate for themselves and influence the services and systems that affect their lives.
“The charity believes that everyone, regardless of disability, has the right to be heard, included in decisions about their lives and able to shape their communities.”
Danielle Garrett, who is an experienced self-advocate with a learning disability and works on the Learning Disability Voices Network project, said: “This funding is huge news for people with learning disabilities across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.
“Being a part of the Learning Disability Voices Network means people will be able to come together to get more confident, influence decision makers and create real change for people with learning disabilities.”
Brighton and Hove Speak Out chief executive Will Davies said: “‘We are delighted to receive this funding from the lottery.
“It will make a huge difference to the charity and will help to get even more learning disability voices heard in the city.”
The charity’s chair, Sophie Cook, said: “At Brighton amd Hove Speak Out, we have an amazing team who do so much to support the communities we serve.
“This funding presents a huge opportunity to build on that work and amplify the voices of people with learning disabilities across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.
“Through the Learning Disability Voices Network, people will be able to come together, build confidence, influence decision-makers and create meaningful change on the issues that matter most to them.”
Councillor Sam Parrott said: “As lead councillor for disability in Brighton and Hove, I am acutely aware of the incredible work Speak Out has done alongside people with learning disabilities over many years.
“This funding brings much-needed security and creates an opportunity to build something even stronger, ensuring that people with learning disabilities not only receive support but have a powerful voice that is heard across our city.
“I warmly welcome this investment and am genuinely excited to work alongside Speak Out as it continues to champion inclusion, empowerment and equality for all.”
The Learning Disability Voices Network is expected to begin this autumn. People with learning disabilities who are interested in getting involved can find out more at www.bhspeakout.org.uk.
The charity added that it was currently recruiting. For more information, click here.
