On the 20th of January colleagues from Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness, as well as Healthwatch Lancashire, Healthwatch Cumberland and Healthwatch Stockton on Tees participated in People First Induction Training.
This session deepened our understanding of People First’s values and how we can better advocate for inclusion, independence and respect within our communities.
People First’s Strategy is a powerful framework of the 5 I’s: Inclusion, Independence, Impact, Intelligence and Investment.
People First values and principles
We began by revisiting People First’s mission:
“We believe everyone has the right to be respected and to have a say on the issues that shape their lives.
As an independent advocacy charity, we stand shoulder to shoulder with people across the North of England to champion fairness and equality.”
We discussed these values in groups, reflecting on how they guide our own advocacy efforts – sharing shared personal stories and examples of how standing for fairness and equality has impacted the people we serve.
The value of language
We explored how language shapes perceptions, particularly for those with learning disabilities or autism.
We watched a thought-provoking video by comedian Laurence Clark, who humorously attempted to raise money for absurd causes like ‘paying off my mortgage’. The experiment aimed to highlight whether people would prioritise his disability over the content of his cause, revealing biases in how society views and responds to disabled individuals.
Next, we were tasked with writing down the negative words and phrases often directed at people with learning disabilities and autism, placing them on a jar. As expected, the jar quickly became covered in hurtful labels and insults. Our follow-up task – coming up with positive and respectful alternatives – proved more challenging. This exercise underscored the difficulty in finding universally accepted terms that respect individual preferences, as even terms like “service users,” can feel dehumanising to some.
It is crucial to respect how individuals wish to be addressed, acknowledging that preferences vary. Ultimately, the emphasis should always be on seeing and valuing the person first.
People First department overview
Following the strategy overview, we were given a comprehensive look at the different departments within People First and the vital work they do:
Healthwatch
Our Healthwatch teams are dedicated to amplifying your voice when it comes to health, wellbeing and social care services. They work tirelessly to make these services better and improve the overall quality of care in the community.
Advocacy
This department works independently from health and social care services, offering a broad range of advocacy services including NHS Complaints Advocacy, Care Act Advocacy, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and more. They play a pivotal role in supporting individuals to have their voices heard, particularly those who may struggle to navigate complex systems on their own.
Inclusion
One of the cornerstones of People First is its commitment to self-advocacy. The Inclusion team supports individuals in understanding their needs and effectively communicating those needs. They also run various self-advocacy groups across regions, providing invaluable support to people with learning difficulties and helping them advocate for themselves.
PF Academy
The Hospitality Academy and the Best Life Programme offer individuals the opportunity to gain practical skills and work experience in a supportive environment. The Creating Careers initiative is designed to be an alternative to traditional day services, helping participants develop life skills and gain real-world experience.
Direct Payment Support Service
This team offers crucial support to individuals using direct payments or personal health budgets, as well as those paying for care privately. They ensure people have the information and support they need to manage their care independently and effectively.
Looking ahead: Championing independence and inclusion
This training day was more than just an opportunity to learn – it was a chance to reflect on how we can strengthen our commitment to inclusion, respect and independence in our communities. The stories we heard, the exercises we participated in and the strategies we explored have given us fresh inspiration to make a real difference in people’s lives.
As we move forward, we invite you to join us in this mission. Your voice matters and together, we can create a society where everyone has the freedom to make their own choices, feel valued and lead fulfilling lives.