The TILII Project has been going from strength to strength working vigorously to ensure the voice of people with a learning disability is heard and included. The Telling It Like It Is project is a group of adults with a learning disability who are keen to have their say on issues that affect people with a learning disability.
Belfast TILII delivered training sessions as part of induction for new Belfast Trust staff. This training provided frontline Health and Social Care staff with an invaluable insight into the personal experiences and perspective of living with a learning disability.
Members from TILII Bangor facilitated a workshop during a ‘Vulnerable Witness Conference’ at the request of Queens University Belfast and Department of Justice. This was a fantastic opportunity for TILII to represent the views and experiences of people with a learning disability to legal professionals involved in the justice system.
Following a successful pilot, ARC NI now facilitates an advocacy group for Patients within the Forensic ward in Mukamore Abbey Hospital as well as continuing the advocacy group for all patients in the hospital. The target date of March 15 for Resettlement from Muckamore Abbey Hospital has not been met and as such resettlement remains a key focus for the TILII group in Muckamore. In addition to facilitating the hospital’s advocacy group, ARC NI enables a TILII Member from Muckamore to actively engage and challenge resettlement issues through the Regional Community Integration Project held by the Health and Social Care Board.
A imperative objective of the TILII group is to influence and change policy and as such the groups have submitted responses on the following policies, DHSSP/DOJ Draft Adult Safeguarding Policy, RQIA Draft Corporate Strategy & 3 Year Review Programme 2015-18 and HSCB Draft Equality Impact Assessment on Self Directed Support.
All community TILII groups engaged with ANNI- Advocacy Network Northern Ireland to consult on the Easy Read Code of Practice for Independent Advocates. The Easy Read version is available in a PDF format to all advocates across Northern Ireland.
TILII have recently been commissioned by NISCC (Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Council) to produce Easy Read versions of their publications including the new Codes of Practice for Social Workers and Social Care Workers.
ARC NI has supported 3 TILII members to become voluntary Lay Assessors within RQIA, whose role within inspections & reviews include interviewing service users and visitors about their experience. The TILII members have successfully contributed to the RQIA inspection process and presented their experience at the RQIA Mental Health and Learning Disability Road show.
TILII are ready to launch the pilot of their new Advocacy training for people with a learning disability. This training has been developed using the collective skills and invaluable experiences of TILII members across all groups. The training, co-facilitated with TILII members and myself, will be delivered in a group setting to voluntary organisations and service providers. Please contact me to register you interest and find out further information.
As you can read TILII have been extremely active, with commissioned work to complete and the launch of their Advocacy Training for Service Users, the hard work and commitment of TILII with continue to strive.