Blogs | Connected Voice

Advocacy support for people with Learning Disabilities

Many of our service users have learning disabilities and our advocates have a wide range of skills in recognising and responding appropriately to their needs. In Learning Disability Week we’d like to give you an example of the advocacy we provide – read Jennifer’s story

Advocacy support for people from LGBTQ+ communities

We are keen to make all our services accessible and responsive to people from LQBTQ+ communities and in Pride Month we’d like to give you a flavour of the advocacy support we provide. Read about Chris who has experienced discrimination and hate crime as a result of their intersectional identities of gender and disability.

How volunteering got me into Advocacy

In Volunteers Week Gill Edgar, Senior Advocacy Coordinator, tells the story of her journey through volunteering to becoming an Independent Advocate.

Our Pride Logo: The meaning behind the brand

Worldwide, June is LGBT+ Pride Month - although locally, Northern Pride takes place in July - and we think it’s a great time to reflect on our values. We’re also excited to unveil a special Pride Month logo and series of blogs to draw attention to our services that are here to support LGBT+ people and communities.

Guest blog: LGBT+ Northern Social Group

The LGBT+ Northern Social Group (NSG) began as a Facebook group in 2017. It was set up to provide a safe space for LGBT+ people to meet up and connect without experiencing the pressures, expectations or prejudices that they might encounter in other meeting spaces for LGBT+ people and communities. During Pride Month we asked LGBT+ Northern Social Group to talk us through their journey so far and how Connected Voice Support and Development has guided them in becoming a registered charity.

Budget 2021: Charities are still NeverMoreNeeded but where is the support from government?

Following yesterday’s budget announcement, I can’t help but feel disappointed that support for charities has not materialised despite the

Using Care Act Advocacy to protect people at risk of harm and abuse

During National Safeguarding Awareness Week (16-22 November) we want to focus on the support our Independent Advocates provide under the Care Act 2014.

Advocacy and safeguarding in Safeguarding Awareness Week

In National Safeguarding Awareness Week (16-22 November) Jane Kingston gives an overview of safeguarding, explains how advocacy supports people going through safeguarding processes and what to do if you suspect someone is at risk and unable to protect themselves.

National Trustees Week - Guest Blog by Simon Elliott

From Monday November 2nd it’s National Trustees week – and it’s good to take some time each year to reflect on Trustees. There are about one million charity Trustees in the UK, providing governance to organisations which, by some estimates, contribute £200 Billion of economic value each year.