Themes
- Voluntary citizens advocates
- Volunteering in the community
- Working with adults with learning difficulties
BATIAS is a voluntary organisation providing independent advocacy services for adults with learning difficulties. BATIAS was set up in 1994 as a Citizen advocacy service to support people with a learning difficulty that were moving from a long stay hospital into the local communities of Basildon and Thurrock. Due to the expansion of our services we now offer all forms of advocacy to people who live in the Brentwood, Southend, Castle Point and Rochford areas as well as Basildon and Thurrock.
What is Citizen advocacy?
Citizen advocates are people who have a genuine interest in supporting people with a learning difficulty to speak up for themselves and to become part of their local community. The advocacy partnership is based on developing a long-term relationship between the person with a learning difficulty and their Citizen Advocate. The Citizen Advocate may support their advocacy partner to access the local community through leisure activities such as going to the cinema, shops, a pub, local groups or night classes. It is also an opportunity to build the persons confidence and self-esteem.
At present there are 30 volunteers. They come from all walks of life and their motivation is driven by their enthusiasm to make a difference. The people they support have had varied experiences in life but each benefits from having a volunteer Citizen Advocate. As a Citizen advocate volunteers are matched with a person who shares a similar interest.
The process
- informal interview.
- CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked
- 2 references.
- Initial meeting with prospective advocacy partner
Training
All volunteers are offered training through BATIAS and external training agencies this will include Health and Safety, Communication, First aid and Disability Discrimination training. All volunteers are given training as part of their induction to the organisation and volunteers are often regular supervision and support.
BATIAS’s appreciation of volunteers can be summed in a phrase:
“ Volunteers…..ordinary people,….extraordinary contribution”
For further information contact:
Sue Deutsch
The Beehive
Voluntary & Community Resource Centre
West Street
Grays
Essex
RM17 6XP
Telephone: 01375 389869
Email: batiasg@btconnect.com
