Learning Disability Voices Network
The LDVN project aims to support adults with learning disabilities to speak up and be heard about what is important to them.
This can be about big issues; such as housing, welfare benefits or health and social care.
It can also be about personal things, like where someone wants to live or speaking up when they have been treated unfairly.
The network includes two self-advocacy groups:
Our Voices Matter
The OVM group works on campaigns to raise awareness of issues that affect people with learning disabilities in Brighton & Hove.
Steering Group
The project is led by a Steering Group and the membership of people with learning disabilities.
The steering group organise and run quarterly open advocacy meetings. Each meeting addresses an issue that impacts people with learning disabilities in Brighton & Hove. So far, the meetings have covered the cost of living crisis, healthy living, mental health, relationships, democratic rights & housing.
These meetings bring people with learning disabilities together with professionals, councillors and sometimes even MPs! They provide a great forum for people with learning disabilities to express their concerns to those who have influence over policy and decision-making in the city.
Find out more:
For more information please contact Alex:
Being Heard
In 2016 we decided to make a film about what it’s like having a learning disability in Brighton and Hove.
We pitched our idea at Brighton Soup and won almost £400 to start us on our way. We worked with a local film maker, Kitty Wallace, who works with people in an inclusive way to make a film that we wrote, directed and filmed.
Speak Up with Danielle
Speak Up with Danielle is a mini video interview series that has been filmed and edited by Danielle Garratt from Speak Out in collaboration with the Learning Disability Voices Network.
It was put together to help people during the Coronavirus Pandemic and takes a look at how different people coped. You can watch the videos here:
Speak Out with Danielle Shannon Cadwell and Tina Dickinson
If you have a learning disability, we invite you to get involved.
You can become a member of The Learning Disability Voices Network. As you member, you will be able to ask the steering group to help you with an issue, you will receive regular updates from us and what we are working on.
You will be invited to events that we hold throughout the year. You can help us raise the profile of people with learning disabilities and help make things in the city better for us all.
If you are interested in getting involved:
Please contact Danielle:
