About Vale People First
Vale People First is an organisation for people with a learning disability led by people with a learning disability.
We campaign to speak up for our rights, changes and opportunities. We care for each other. We strive for respect, changes and opportunities.
As well as working hard on, campaigning, providing a voice for people who use services and advocacy issues we also like to have fun. So, we also organise social events such as parties, trips out in the community and fundraisers.
We hold meetings in several different areas of the Vale on a regular basis and always welcome new members. If you or your support would like to know more or want to join us, please contact us at:
Vale People First
The Hub
Barry YMCA
Court Road
BARRY
CF64 4EE
Tel 01446 724010
Ask for Liz Davidson
Putting People First in the Vale of Glamorgan
In July 2004, Jeanette Thomas from Learning Disability Wales (nee SCOVO) applied to the BILD self advocacy scheme to obtain funding for a group to be set up in the Vale of Glamorgan, as there was very little service provision for people with Learning Difficulties in the area. Liz Davidson was employed to set-up the Vale Self Advocacy Scheme, to be based in Barry College, and part of the project's criteria was to set up a People First group before March 2006.
The first Members Committee Meeting of Vale People First took place in March 2005, with Lorraine Barrett, Assembly Member for Penarth, attending and opening the meeting for us.
Since then, we have achieved great things, thanks to the enthusiasm from our Members. We now have a 35 strong membership base and it is growing weekly. Also, the staff from Advocacy Matters Wales and the Barry College Tutors have given this project their 100% support. Jane Hutt, Assembly Member for the Vale, has also lent her support by joining our Management Committee.
We work hard and play hard. We have taken part in advocacy conferences around the country, where our members have fully taken part in workshops and discussions. We have networked with other People First Groups and been on numerous social outings. In the very near future, we will be joining with Hijinx Theatre to learn more about communication skills through drama.
At the moment, we are currently in the process of obtaining Local Authority funding, to provide us with funds to set up an Information Group, which will gather findings from Local Leisure and Health services. The outcomes will be that a representative from the group will sit on the local authority Strategic Planning Group, to feed in our results to help improve existing and future services. By January 2006 we will be moving to a new office in the Hub in the centre of Barry. This will be where our project will be firmly established...we will really be able to take off and soar to new heights!!
Please contact us if you have a projects-related enquiry.
