Hello, my name is Steve Chapman, and I am a self-advocate, peer advocate, lived experience representative for Learning Disabilities England, Inclusion International, Co-Chair of the Kent Learning Disability Board and the Co-Chair of bemix.

Recently, for Inclusion International, I presented on secure settings/secure hospitals because I wanted to tell the world what is happening in England and share my experiences with other countries, to help them understand what works well.

Peer advocacy support became critically important when an English hospital, called Cedar House in Kent, was forced to close. It was meant to support people with learning disabilities and autism, and failed inspections several times.

People living there had to move out, but many needed help to understand what was happening, what choices they had, and how to speak up about their own lives.

This is where peer advocacy made a difference. It helped people feel listened to and supported at a very stressful time.

Simple tools were used, like question cards and blank cards, where people could write down what mattered to them. One-to-one sessions helped people plan for meetings and express their views in a safe way. Peer advocates also made sure people’s concerns were shared and followed up, especially around moving into the community.

Building trust was one of the most important parts of the work. Because peer advocates often had lived experience of similar situations, people felt more comfortable opening up. They could see that change was possible, and that helped reduce fear about moving out of hospital.

Steve says:

“People with learning disabilities should not spend years living in hospitals when they could be living happy and independent lives in their communities. 

Everyone deserves a home, choices, and to be part of society.

I work through peer advocacy and lived experience leadership to help people be heard, support them to move, and improve systems so people can leave long-stay hospitals.”

I presented this work to an international audience for Inclusion International, where I spoke about the importance of peer advocacy and asked the audience what support systems exist in their own countries for people leaving long-stay hospitals. I highlighted that many people around the world are still in institutions and may not have enough support to move into the community.

Since the closure, similar projects have supported people who have spent many years in hospitals to move back into community life. This work continues to show what is possible when people are properly supported.

It also raises important questions for services everywhere:

• How are people supported to leave long-stay hospitals in your country or region?

• Are regular Care and Treatment Reviews being used to plan moves into the community?

• Are peer advocates with lived experience involved to make sure people’s voices are heard?

Peer advocacy is about making sure people are not just heard, but listened to and supported to make real choices about their own lives.

bemix supports people with learning difficulties, disabilities and or autism to BE SEEN, BE HEARD AND BELONG.

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