Hello, my name is Robert Parkin, I am a founding member of Speakup Self Advocacy. It's smashing, we are
celebrating 20 years of advocacy this year.
To start with I was the Chair of Speakup, but after a while I stepped down to give other people a chance of doing this work.
I then got a part time paid job with Speakup because of all my experience in self advocacy.
Because I work part time I still get some help when paying bills, I get Housing and Council Tax benefits. This works really well for me
because I live on my own and I don't need to worry about paying the rent. I save money for my bills and I get 4 hours direct payment support each week to help me with shopping, washing and just generally giving me a
hand when things happen. I really get on well with my direct payment worker.
At work, I do a lot of the National stuff. I sit on the Commission for Social Care Inspectionn (CSCI)
Learning Disability Improvement Board for England. I have been a member of the National Forum and the Task Force for people with learning disabilities.
I have been involved in Inspection work and I attend
and give opinions at the Regional Forums and at the local Peoples Forums for people with learning disabilities. I am co-chair of the Rotherham Learning Disability Partnership Board and I have sat on the
Rotherham Council Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel.
At the moment I am on a steering group for the Healthcare Commission and CSCI. This is a piece of
work looking at how to Commission good services for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
I am very good at understanding the big picture of 'Valuing People' and I like to challenge professionals who don't listen.
I have done lots of courses through my work and when we go out training I am often the front person. This is because like Vicky, my colleague, I am very confident and not afraid to speak up and be counted.
My job has given me loads of independence to live my own life. People with learning disabilities should have jobs and not be afraid to let some benefits go if they have to.
People need a good supported job and not to be left to struggle. I have had jobs like that in the past and its no good.
