Solihull Action through Advocacy

25/11/2025

📣 We’re Hiring – Circles Developer

Help us build stronger, more connected communities in Solihull.

Solihull Action through Advocacy is looking for a compassionate, motivated Circles Developer to support adults with learning disabilities and autistic people to build meaningful friendships, community links and long-lasting Circles of Support.

🌟 Role Overview

As a Circles Developer, you will create and grow Circles of Support bringing together families, friends, volunteers and community members to form a supportive network around each individual. Your work will promote independence, self-advocacy and social inclusion, helping people live the life they choose.

🔑 Key Responsibilities

-Develop and implement personalised Circles of Support

-Build strong, sustainable networks by engaging individuals, families and the community

-Work collaboratively with social care, health professionals and local partners

-Support individuals to access social opportunities and community activities

-Provide training, guidance and encouragement to Circle Members

-Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation

-Promote inclusion and challenge stigma around learning disabilities and autism

📩 How to Apply

More information can be found at:
👉 solihulladvocacy.org.uk/vacancies

Please send your CV to:
📧 office@solihulladvocacy.org.uk

If you’re passionate about inclusion and love supporting people to build connections, we’d love to hear from you.

21/11/2025

Make Christmas Magical ✨ Donate a Gift

For some of the adults we support people who are isolated, without close family or social networks—Christmas can feel like just another day. Your kindness can change that.

We’re collecting new or unused gifts (and small business donations) to share with people we support across Solihull. A simple gift can bring connection, inclusion and joy at a time when it’s needed most.

What we’re collecting (new/unused):

-Cosy items (hats, gloves, scarves, socks)

-Toiletry gift sets & self‑care (unscented or gentle where possible)

-Chocolates/biscuits/treats (in date, sealed)

-Puzzles, games, colouring/arts supplies, sensory items

-Gift cards (supermarkets, cafés, high‑street)

-Small, thoughtful items you’d be happy to give a friend

How to donate:
📞 0121 706 4696 | ✉️ office@solihulladvocacy.org.uk

We can advise on drop‑off and the easiest way to get gifts to us.

Businesses: Host a mini collection box or donate a bundle, we’ll acknowledge your support.

If you can’t donate, please share this post to spread the word. Thank you for helping make sure no one is left out this Christmas. 💙

14/11/2025

What a wonderful day!

Yesterday our Build Your Own Circle (BYOC) group headed to the Festive Gift Fair at the NEC and it was pure Christmas magic ✨

From choosing stalls and trying treats to sharing laughs over hot drinks, everyone had a fantastic time getting into the festive spirit. Outings like this aren’t just fun they’re part of how advocacy builds confidence, inclusion and independence:

-Inclusion: meeting new people and feeling part of the community

-Self‑advocacy: practicing choice, communication, and decision‑making

-Independence: planning the day, navigating busy spaces, and growing travel confidence

-Wellbeing: reducing isolation and boosting joy

This is advocacy in action person‑led, community‑based and full of connection.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it special!

07/11/2025

Trustees’ Week: Thank You, SAtA Trustees!

This week we’re celebrating the incredible volunteers who guide Solihull Action through Advocacy (SAtA) -our Board of Trustees.

Our trustees keep SAtA independent, safe and focused on impact. They bring vast experience and diverse professional backgrounds from health and social care to law, finance, education and lived experience so the people we support can have voice, choice and control.

💜 Thank you for choosing our charity and donating your time, skill and experience. Your leadership helps our advocates stand beside people with learning disabilities, autistic people and those with mental health needs in the moments that matter most.

🔗 Meet our Trustees on SAtA’s website:
https://solihulladvocacy.org.uk/trustees

📧 office@solihulladvocacy.org.uk
| 📞 0121 706 4696

Chris’ career was in the gas industry where he joined as an apprentice gas fitter, and it concluded as a senior director.  He then went on to form is own consultancy business and spent a significant amount of time working in West Africa on gas projects.  During this period, he also formed and ow...

30/10/2025

Advocacy Works -For People and Public Services

Every £1 invested in independent advocacy delivers around £12 in benefits - helping people get the right support earlier, reducing avoidable crises and freeing up NHS and local authority resources.

At Solihull Action through Advocacy, we stand beside people with learning disabilities and autistic people to make sure their rights are understood, their voices are heard and decisions are truly person‑centred.

👉 Want to make a referral?
📞 0121 706 4696 │ 🌐 solihulladvocacy.org.uk



Source: https://www.socialfinance.org.uk/insights/independent-advocacy-for-independent-lives

23/10/2025

We’re at John Lewis Touchwood today! 🎉

Come and meet the team from Solihull Action through Advocacy and learn about the incredible projects we deliver across Solihull.

Whether you're looking for support with learning disabilities, difficulties or autism or just want to find out more about how advocacy can change lives — this is the perfect opportunity.

Discover how we:
✅ Empower people to find their voice
✅ Promote self-advocacy
✅ Build lasting social networks
✅ Support inclusion and equality

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who’s already stopped by to say hello your interest means so much.

And thank you to John Lewis for welcoming us and giving us the space to raise awareness of our charity and the impact advocacy has in our community.

📍 Find us inside John Lewis, Touchwood, today!

17/10/2025

“I just want to live life my way.”

At Solihull Action through Advocacy (SAtA) , we believe that everyone has the right to make their own choices and that’s exactly what our advocacy service empowers people to do.

This , we’re sharing the powerful story of C, a mid 50-year-old man living with a brain injury. He was referred to us through the Care Act because he wanted to move homes but that was just the beginning.

Through meaningful conversations and trust-building, we discovered C’s real concerns:

- He felt unheard and restricted in his choices.
- He wanted to go shopping, take the bus and live more independently.
- He wanted equipment like an electric wheelchair to help him get around.
- He wanted more control over his finances.
- He wanted his voice to be central in decisions about his life.

With the support of our advocate, C was able to prepare for court, speak about his rights and most importantly — be heard.

We supported him using principles from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring respect, dignity and the freedom to make his own choices.

His powerful words:

“I want the same opportunities as anyone else.”

C now knows how to get independent advocacy when he needs it without waiting for someone to refer him.

Advocacy isn’t just support it’s empowerment.

It’s listening, respecting and taking action.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our advocacy services, reach out:
📞 0121 706 4696 | ✉️ office@solihulladvocacy.org.uk

16/10/2025

Advocacy Week – Day 4

✨ “Beautiful advocacy means walking beside someone, even when they can’t see the path.” “It’s not telling people what to do — it’s helping them speak their truth.”– Becki Fellows, Advocacy Manager at Solihull Action through Advocacy.

At Solihull Action through Advocacy, we believe those words deeply. Our work is about:

✅ Supporting people’s voices — not speaking over them
✅ Recognising each person’s story — they are more than a “case”
✅ Holding space with dignity, respect, and trust

Because real advocacy is more than a service it's a promise that no one is alone in their journey.

“We don’t just work with ‘cases’. We focus on the person, their story, their voice.”
Advocacy changes lives and it's voices like Becki’s that remind us why we do what we do.

For help, referrals, or to get involved: 0121 706 4696 | office@solihulladvocacy.org.uk

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

15/10/2025

Advocacy Week | Day 3

Today we’re shining a light on the power of advocacy in action straight from one of the people we’re here to support .

Our service user, a brave and insightful woman who told us:

"Advocacy helps me communicate things that I normally would have trouble with."

This simple yet powerful statement says it all.

Advocacy isn’t just about speaking for someone it’s about standing beside them until they feel confident speaking for themselves. It's about breaking down communication barriers, building trust and making sure every voice is heard and understood.

This is why we do what we do at Solihull Action through Advocacy (SAtA) to empower people, build confidence and make sure no one is ever left feeling invisible.

14/10/2025

Advocacy Week – Day 2

At Solihull Action through Advocacy, we believe advocacy is more than just a service it’s a beautiful act of empowerment, trust and transformation. We do this because we care and because when we see something that isn’t right, we voice it.

Why is advocacy beautiful?

Because it’s about:
❤️ Belief — in someone’s right to be heard.
🌈 Hope — when people feel they’ve been forgotten.
🤝 Connection — between individuals and their community.
🔓 Freedom — to make your own choices, with support.
🌻 Growth — in confidence, self-worth and independence.

Whether supporting someone to navigate mental health services, challenge a care decision, or speak up in difficult meetings advocacy changes lives.

We’re proud to be standing beside the people of Solihull every day ensuring rights are respected, voices are heard and choices are honoured.

Advocacy is powerful. Advocacy is necessary. Advocacy is beautiful.

Learn more about our work and how to get in touch:

www.solihulladvocacy.org.uk
📞 0121 706 4696 | ✉️ office@solihulladvocacy.org.uk

13/10/2025

🎉 It’s Advocacy Week! 🎉

This week is all about recognising the power of advocacy and the vital role it plays in ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, valued and respected.

At Solihull Action through Advocacy, we’re proud to stand alongside so many incredible organisations working to empower people especially those with learning disabilities and autism to speak up, make informed choices and be part of decisions that affect their lives.

We kicked off the week by attending the Advocacy Conference with Kate Mercer a thought-provoking day packed with insights, real stories and a reminder of why independent advocacy matters now more than ever.

Advocacy changes lives. It helps people:
✔ Understand their rights
✔ Navigate systems
✔ Be included in key decisions
✔ Build confidence and self-advocacy

This week, we’ll be sharing stories, facts and highlights from the work we do to champion voices across Solihull.

Follow along and help us raise awareness about the power of advocacy.

Because when people are heard — change happens.

09/10/2025

A Special Visit to Solihull Action through Advocacy

Last week we were honoured to welcome Paul Johnson, Alison McGrory and Clive Stone to our office, alongside members of the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) team.

It was a fantastic opportunity to share the impactful work we do across the borough supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to have their voices heard, rights respected and choices valued.

During the visit our guests had the chance to speak with some of our advocacy partners, hearing firsthand how our person-centred approach is making a difference in their lives from building confidence to improving access to care, services and friendships.

We’re proud to be part of a community that values inclusion, empowerment and meaningful connection and grateful for the opportunity to showcase how SAtA is helping to build a stronger, more compassionate Solihull.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and took the time to learn more about our work and impact.