Speakeasy Advocacy

	Our history There has been advocacy in Basingstoke for people with learning disabilities since 1994 – some of the original users of the service and volunteers are still involved with us today. Speakeasy Advocacy has existed since May 2002, when it took over responsibility for advocacy for people with learning disabilities and autism from a scheme supported by Hampshire Autistic Society. The project re launched in August 2003 when we received a 3 year grant from the lottery. We have continued to grow since then, and our volunteers and staff team now support over 250 people every year. We receive funding from the Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board, a number of grant making trusts, and some contracts we have with Hampshire County Council and local service providers.
	Who does the work? Our trustees are volunteers who are responsible for making sure the organisation is run properly. They decide what we do, how the work is carried out, and vote on any major decisions. 6 of the 11 trustees are users of the service, and they are supported by advocates to take part in trustee meetings. The trustees for 2009 – 2010 are: Chair = Rob Hannah Vice chair = Carole Over Treasurer = Derek Eastman Secretary = Matthew Ansell Volunteer rep = Colin Watts Wicked and Wacky rep = Joanne French Happy Club rep = Clive Richards Happy Club rep = Richard Dean Virtual Friends rep = Simon Jeffrey Virtual Friends rep = Marie Le Warne
	Staff Team The staff team are responsible for the day to day running of the project. They are: Manager = Amanda Kent Office Manager = Ruth Jewell Advocate = Lynda Awan Self advocacy worker = Jackie Elmer Self advocacy worker/person centred planning = Sarah Hawden Advocate = Christian Alger Person centred planner = Sammy Mpofu Children's Advocate = Situation Vacant
	Volunteers We have over 50 volunteers who are advocates, support the running of the self advocacy groups, coffee mornings, and provide IT and admin support.
	Membership of other organisations
	We are members of Hampshire Advocacy Regional Group (HARG), and have signed up to their standards. Find out more about HARG at www.hampshireadvocacy.org.uk HARG leaflet HARG standards
	We are members of the National Coalition of Citizen Advocacy Schemes – see www.cacoalition.org.uk for more information