Working for a user-led organisation dedicated to supporting Deaf and Disabled people is such a rewarding experience. We provide high-quality, accessible services to ensure that Deaf and Disabled individuals in our borough can get the support they need – whether it’s welfare benefits advice, advocacy, or support with direct payments.
Our work is underpinned by the social model of disability. We believe that barriers in society – not impairments – are the root cause of inequality, and we strive to remove those barriers every day.
A lifeline for Deaf and Disabled people
Previously I have worked in mainstream advice services, which were not as well equipped to meet the needs of Deaf and Disabled people. Here we place the needs of the individual at the heart of our service and provide anything they need – for example British Sign Language interpreters or information being given in a different format and we also make sure people have all the time they need during our sessions to be heard and understood.
Our advice service provides a lifeline, helping people to navigate the complex and often inaccessible welfare benefits system. We provide tailored, independent advice on a wide range of issues.
Achieving justice
Much of my work involves challenging unjust decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local authorities and by representing clients at benefits tribunals. Helping someone achieve justice and securing the benefits they are entitled to brings me a great deal of satisfaction.
I’ve seen first-hand how our team’s expertise transforms lives. We support people by obtaining grants for essential household items like cookers and washing machines and assist with concessionary transport applications, helping to improve people’s mobility and independence.
Training and mentoring
One of the aspects of my role I’m most passionate about is training and mentoring new advisers.
We are part of a unique and dynamic programme funded by Propel with Inclusion Barnet as lead partner, and supported by Inclusion London, working alongside four other Deaf and Disabled people’s organisations. This programme is designed to develop and support Deaf and Disabled people to become skilled advisers, while also retaining and enhancing the skills of experienced staff.
Our trainees receive a blend of online training from AdviceUK as well as ‘on-the-job’ training. Inclusion London plays a key role in the programme, facilitating training sessions and providing peer support groups so that trainees and experienced advisers can share experiences, overcome challenges and support each other.
Empowering individuals
Deaf and Disabled people advising and supporting other Deaf and Disabled people is a key feature of our user-led organisation. As well as providing high-quality advice, their lived experience means they are able to build trust more quickly with the person they are supporting and demonstrate compassion and empathy through a shared understanding of the barriers they both experience.
I’m particularly proud of Femi, our Advice Trainee, who recently completed the Learning to Advise course delivered by AdviceUK. This training has equipped him with the fundamental knowledge and skills to give him a flying start to his advice career. The LTA course also gave him the chance to connect with other trainees across the sector, building a network of support and shared learning. Watching Femi grow into his role has been one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
Training, supporting and enabling Deaf and Disabled staff to become fully-fledged advice workers is an aspect of my job that gives me great satisfaction. Being a part of their journey and helping them to thrive in an accessible and supportive workplace makes me feel extremely proud.
If our advice service did not exist there would be a huge gap in provision of specialist knowledge and an accessible advice service for Deaf and Disabled people. This would result in people losing out on their benefit entitlement and putting them at risk of financial hardship and poverty.
I am proud to be part of an organisation that not only fills this critical gap but also empowers Deaf and Disabled individuals to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
