WHAT IS EXPECTED OF SUPPORTERS?

Who is a Supporter? • A supporter is a person who helps a self-advocate to • • • •

understand what is happening be included and involved build relationships with others understand information in a way that makes sense to them • supports them to speak up and say what they think and to make their own decisions

• A supporter can be anyone so long as they understand who a self-advocate is and what support the selfadvocate needs.

Support before the event • The self-advocate should have a say in who supports them • Support should not be enforced on someone. • If the self-advocate does not know their supporter you should get to know one another before attending the event • The supporter should create a friendly relationship with the self-advocate so that the self-advocate feels comfortable saying what they think and feel

Support before the event • The supporter should work with the self advocate to understand • What support the self-advocate may need • How the self-advocate likes to be supported • When the self-advocate may want support – for example with speaking to new people

• The supporter and the self-advocate can write a plan for the event to help with this • Supporters should make sure to always ask for feedback and find out from the self-advocate how they support is going and what can change

Support during an event • During the event use the agenda or program and make sure the self-advocate understands • what is going to happen in each part of the event • what the self-advocate should expect to gain from it • when there are breaks

• Make sure that the self-advocate is ready for each session before it starts • You should help the self-advocate to be themselves, share their experiences and build relationships with other delegates

Support during the event • A supporter makes sure that the self-advocate is included and involved during an event • A supporter should make sure the self-advocate is engaged and taking part during any activities • A supporter makes sure that a self-advocate is following and understanding what is being said • You can support the self-advocate to ask questions or share their experiences if asked to

Support after the event • A supporter will make sure to support the selfadvocate to follow up on any actions that came from the event • You should help the self-advocate to maintain any relationships that they have developed during the training • The self-advocate may need to write a report or share what they learnt with others. You should be available to help the self-advocate to do this.

More Information • For more information please contact [email protected] • Find out more about Empower Us at www.selfadvocacyportal.com • Follow our Facebook and our Twitter