Heather Smithson runs the Citizen Advocacy project at IA. There are currently 36 partnerships and Heather keeps an eye on all of them! Here is the story of one very successful partnership …….

Janet & Kathryn - A Firm Friendship

Kathryn’s very happy to talk about her advocacy partnership with Janet and says “I have known Janet for two years now. Janet is a really good friend who helps me to speak up for myself. She was a big help when I had some major changes in my life. Now I really enjoy living in my house that I share with my two housemates. She is also someone I can talk to and to go out shopping with. I also enjoy going to the pub with Janet. Janet and myself ran the Tombola stall at the Down on the Farm day. I gave people who did not win, one of my chocolate cornflake cakes – I made a lot for the day and I helped sell the tickets for the Tombola. I am really looking forward to this years Christmas party at IA so I can see lots of my friends there”.

Janet talks of what it means to her to be Kathryn’s Advocate. She says “On my return from Africa where I had been doing voluntary work I wanted to do voluntary work closer to home. After seeing a newspaper article I contacted IA and was introduced to Kathryn. Kathryn makes friends easily and is a very kind, generous person. Being Kathryn’s Advocate made me feel that I am needed and appreciated. It gave me a fresh outlook on life and a deeper insight to people with learning disabilities and the workings of Social Services. I think that Kathryn benefits also as she has the chance to meet many different people leading to an expansion in Kathryn’s world. Kathryn has met my family and friends on many occasions and she really enjoys meeting new people”.

If like Janet you want to speak up for someone with a learning disability by becoming a Citizen Advocate, contact Heather on 01606 42688 for an informal chat.

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