THE PAST 12 months have been very busy for Solihull Action through Advocacy (SAtA) and 2019 looks to be no different.
The charity, which mainly supports adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism, has dealt with the impact of shrinking public budgets and the affects it has on the most vulnerable.
And 2019 looks set to be even more challenging for the Marston Green-based charity which helps around 500 people every year.
But SAtA’s chief executive James Voller said: “2019 is set to be even more challenging but we are ready to face those challenges alongside our colleagues across the borough.”
The charity, with its headquarters on Land Lane, already offers employment support, helps correct mistakes on household bills, attend GP appointments and support when reporting crime.
It also runs a drama group for people with learning disabilities and a programme for ‘peer visitors’ who spend time with people living in care homes to make sure that they are happy and receiving the quality care that they deserve.
However in 2019 Mr Voller said they are hoping to expand some of the existing services and help more people, launch some social enterprise activities and create a new volunteering programme.
He also said the charity is hoping to focus on making a bigger impact on encouraging communities to become more inclusive by changing the ways that they view people with learning disabilities.
Mr Voller added: “We are already planning some new projects for 2019 and we are grateful to all our volunteers and supporters, without whom we would not be able to achieve all that we do. We are also grateful to our service users for inspiring us to keep working.
“Together we are optimistic that we can continue to help people improve their lives in the way they want to and to strive for a more inclusive world for everyone.”
SAtA was founded over 26 years ago to support people who were moving back into the community after spending their lives in hospitals and institutions.
It offers a range of projects and activities designed to help them to speak up for themselves, to know their rights and to have control over their own lives.
The charity also helps raise awareness of issues in the local area that matter to them such as transport and anti-social behaviour.
For more on SAtA and its projects visit www.solihulladvocacy.org.uk
