Self-advocacy
Self-advocacy is about having the confidence and ability to speak up for yourself and what matters most to you.
It aims to empower people with learning disabilities or those who are neurodivergent by providing them with the right tools, information, and support to take control of decisions that affect their lives. It ensures their voices are heard, valued, and respected.
The self-advocacy movement began in the 1970s as a way to help disabled people gain greater independence and control over their lives. Since then, it has evolved into a powerful global movement, enabling people with disabilities to advocate for their rights, build self-confidence, and contribute to shaping a more inclusive society.
Self-advocacy can help by:
- Helping people develop the confidence and skills to make decisions (for example, many of our self-advocacy groups offer training and guidance around building confidence)
- Enabling people to voice their choices to others, including professionals
- Improving awareness of support services
- Enabling people to communicate their thoughts and feelings about the support they access, making sure services meet their needs
When and where is self-advocacy useful?
- During medical or educational assessments
- When developing or reviewing care plans or support plans
- If someone is making a complaint (for example, about the care they have received)
- During day-to-day life
How can I find a self-advocacy group near me?
We work with several self-advocacy groups across the North of England. Some groups are well-established, whilst others are new. Our Cloverleaf team is committed to supporting the self-advocacy movement and often arranges relevant training courses and life skills projects in partnership with the groups we work alongside.
Not the right type of advocacy for you?
