Michael Hagan, Service User Trustee of The Advocacy Project
Help The Advocacy Project organise a parliamentary reception and make a donation today via our JustGiving appeal. With your help we want to change the way people with learning disabilities participate in the workplace and ensure their voice is heard.
The parliamentary reception
We’ve arranged for people with learning disabilities to meet MPs at the Houses of Parliament to talk directly with them about how access to employment affects their quality of life.
This is an important discussion and has the potential to change the way people with learning disabilities participate in the workplace. We want to make sure people with learning disabilities are able to be there in person to have their voices heard.
Challenges in the workplace for people with learning disabilities
Our staff with learning disabilities can only earn £20 a week due to the permitted earnings limit – this equates to just over two hours of work. While we have offered the London Living Wage to employees, they are currently unable to accept as it would either affect their entitlement to benefits or mean that they’d have to work for less than 2 hours a week. They are keen to work as it builds their self respect and they enjoy making a contribution to society.
How can you help?
We need your help with some of the costs for the event. You can make an online donation via our appeal page on JustGiving.
How will your money help
We need to hire a minibus, so people who would be unable to come by public transport can be there to speak at the Houses of Parliament.
We want to make a short film featuring people with learning disabilities talking about how this issue affects them – this will help us get their message across more strongly to influential MPs.
When do we need your help?
Our event is on Monday 6 March – the sooner we receive donations, the more able we are to make this event a success for those with learning disabilities.