We had a brilliant People First meeting on Zoom today with lots of our members. In this months meeting we covered two important topics: Online Safety and Self Advocacy.

Online Safety

It is important that we all know how to keep ourselves safe online: on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter, how to spot a scam telephone call, text message, email or false friend request.

Here is some really useful information about online safety:

https://leep1.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/08/keeping-safe-online-easy-read-guide-small-file-size.pdf

Nuisance Calls

Concerns over nuisance calls were raised by a few members but there is an easy way to reduce these numbers calling your mobile or landline. Nuisance calls can be very distressing and also put yourself at risk from fraudsters. Here is some information about how to block and report these calls from Ofcom. You can also speak to your telephone provider who will be able to help.

Press the button below:

Self Advocacy

The second half of the meeting discussed self advocacy and what it means.

We asked what does self advocacy mean? and
Why is it important to speak up for yourself?

Quotes from People First Meeting August 2020

Self confidence and having the confidence to say NO was something nearly 70% of the group felt they struggled with. Leep1 are currently looking at addressing this with some confidence building sessions for our members. We hope that these new sessions will help give our members the tools to speak up – whether that be in the work place, in support settings or social environments.

Advocacy services such as Advonet can help people speak up for themselves if they find themselves in a situation that they cannot manage alone.

Advocacy is working with you to:

  • Listen to what you want and act on your behalf at all times
  • Think about what choices you have
  • Put forward your views so they are heard
  • Stand up for your rights and interests

Next meeting:

Our People First meetings normally happen every first Thursday of the month. We are really pleased that lots of our members can attend online using Zoom. These meetings are vital so that any developments to our services are what our members want and need.