THE ADVOCACY PROJECT 

COVID19 related funding. This is an online radio station that will broadcast a mixture of entertainment, advice, and news for people with learning disabilities and/ mental illnesses in Westminster ....more

COVID19 related funding. This is an online radio station that will broadcast a mixture of entertainment, advice, and news for people with learning disabilities and/ mental illnesses in Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC). Aims: The station will present accessible advice and signposting information, tackle loneliness and isolation and lessen digital exclusion for some of the boroughs’ most marginalised people. We want this to be a collaborative project that draws on the experience and expertise of people and organisations in the borough, while building on our track record delivering creative communications for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. People: The Project will be run by an experienced project manager, sourced internally. Broadcasts will be run by volunteer hosts, initially drawn from our staff, trustees and volunteers broadcasting from their homes. As we progress, we will support people with lived experience and other organisations to host shows and contribute content. All hosts will be staff or volunteers, who bring extensive experience of working with people with learning disabilities and mental illnesses or have lived experience themselves. All will be DBS-checked and receive annual safeguarding training. The project manager will provide resources, (e.g. a weekly information bulletin and a directory of services) to ensure hosts deliver up-to-date advice and signposting. As we want to create a conversational atmosphere where listeners can text or email into the show, volunteer hosts will receive training to help them deal with associated risks, such as difficult conversations with people in crisis The Project will run in three phases 1. Setup: May 2021 The project manager will spend four weeks setting up the station, in order to equip and train volunteers, run test broadcasts, troubleshoot, and create a schedule for the following months. We will publicise the launch to our service users, professional contacts, staff, and volunteers. 2. Launch: Jun 21 – Aug 21 We will broadcast 3 hours of content per week with two or three volunteer hosts. We will have an equal balance of content covering information (i.e.: interviews, news, advice), entertainment (general chat, audience interaction) and music. The Project Manager will provide technical support and monitor content of all live broadcasts. The project manager will reach out to other organisations and our service users to find healthcare professionals and people with lived experience willing to speak or pre-record segments such as interviews and features. The Project Manager will also reach out to care facilities, such as supported accommodation and day care centres, and invite them to play the radio in communal areas. 3. Full Implementation Sept 21 – Apr 22 We will broadcast 6 hours of content with three or four volunteers. Up to 5 hours broadcasting will continue to be delivered by volunteer hosts, while at least 1 hours’ content will come from other care organisations, either live or pre-recorded. The Project Manager will visit care facilities to help their staff and service users run segments or whole shows live, as one-offs or as a series as lockdown restrictions ease.

"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to ....more

"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to operate, thereby reducing the burden on public services.2) To ensure essential services are provided to vulnerable people, both in the short and long term through increased community support through the work of charitable organisations."

The project will consult with people experiencing mental health ill health, to compile a magazine addressing the issues they experience. The aim is to aid recovery, health and wellbeing.

This is a project by a charity in Islington. The group will use the funding to put on a seminar to commissioners of adult services and care providers throughout London. This will enable the group to ....more

This is a project by a charity in Islington. The group will use the funding to put on a seminar to commissioners of adult services and care providers throughout London. This will enable the group to promote the importance of advocacy in support of vulnerable older people living with dementia.

the costs of the Parents' Advocacy Project including the salary of the Professional Advocate, premises, office, management, governance and support costs