Who we are

Gateshead People is a self-advocacy group run by people with learning disabilities for people with learning disabilities.

Self advocacy means speaking up for yourself, and your rights. We make the decisions about what we do and how we do it. We employ two support workers to help us, but we are in charge. We are our own bosses!

We stand up for our rights and the rights of all people with learning disabilities.

We try to make things better for people with learning disabilities and make sure that they have a say about the things that effect them, and about the decisions that people in power make.

What do we do ?

We share our problems and try to help each other out. We talk about things that are important to people with learning disabilities, like:

• Housing
• Education
• Health
• Money
• Relationships
• Work

Meetings

We have our meetings every Wednesday morning. We talk about the things on our agenda, like events, conferences and other meetings that we have been to. We talk about our working groups.

We also have our own committee who meet once a month to talk about the work Gateshead People need to do, and to make plans for the future.

Campaigning

Day centre charges

We joined the National Campaign against the rise in day centre charges. We demonstrated outside the Civic centre in Gateshead and had a petition. The campaign was successful, and the charges were not put up.

Training For Change

Training for Change are a training group who train people on how to work better with those who have learning disabilities.

Some of the people we have trained:  

• Social workers

• Health and healthcare professionals

• Council workers

• Health and social care students

• Independent providers

We have also worked with children  with learning disabilities who are about to leave school.

We train anyone who works with or has a say about decisions that affect people with learning disabilities.

Men’s group

Gateshead People also have a men’s group.

The group usually meets the first Monday of the month, from 6-8 in the evening. We do lots of    different activities, like bowling, playing pool and watching films. The men decide as a group what they want to do each month.

If you are interested in coming along to the men’s group, ring Dave Woolley on 478 64 72

Women’s group

There is also a women’s group who meet the last Thursday of every month, from 6-8.

In the past, the group have been out to the cinema, had pampering sessions, and lots of disco nights!

If you would like to join the women’s group, ring Alex Tate on 478 64 72

You do not need to be a member of Gateshead People to join either the men’s group or women’s group.

If you are interested in joining Gateshead People, you can ring Dave or Alex on the above number.

You can come and visit the group to get a taste of what we do, and to see if it is right for you.