Our objectives mean that we work to:
Have a collective voice to influence decision making and change existing and future policy
Provide forums where people can meet with their peers and talk about the services we receive
Create a greater awareness of disability issues within the Vale Community through disability awareness training
To empower us to participate fully in society
To ensure that people with learning disabilities are included and participate fully within their organisation and the community
Enable people with learning disabilities to have access to other community activities, friendships and relationships.
How we meet our objectives
Vale People First currently provides the following activities:
We run a Youth Group called “Youth Speak Up” ! for 16-25 year olds in the Vale. We get funding from the Children and Young People’s Partnership to give young people a voice in our area.
We get a yearly grant from the Vale of Glamorgan Social Services for us to run our service – they pay us for office costs, governance, safeguarding, insurance and staff costs.
We have a Disability Awareness Training Team, made up of 4 young people with learning disabilities. They have trained a wealth of professionals from health, statutory and voluntary sectors. We have also trained school children in the Vale.
Some members are representative on the Local Cardiff & Vale Planning Groups, The Vale Youth Forum, Learning Disability Wales Board and the Health Social Care and Well-being Network. The Vale Council asks us for our views on their services to help make them better.
The members are active in running regular fundraising activities and social events in the community.
Half of our Board of Trustees have learning disabilities.
Lloyds TSB fund us to help young people in transition to Move On Well – into independent living
Staff can provide one to one advocacy sessions
We run a men’s group – to discuss men only issues
We run a parents group every other week.
We employ Kurtis Marshall – who has a learning disability, part time to run a project called “Working it Out”
Ian Swannick is our All Wales People First National Council Representative – he helps us have a National Voice