CITIZENSHIP - A GUIDE TO

PROVIDERS OF SUPPORT

Why listen to Sam Sly?

I believe that Keys provides a fundamental framework for achieving Citizenship

Citizenship has underpinned the work I’ve done as a Provider, with CQC & as a Commissioner

I’ve helped Providers use Keys to improve the lives of the people they support

I’ve seen how understanding Citizenship has helped people with learning disabilities grow in confidence and get great lives

I believe everyone has the right to Citizenship and our job is to help make that happen

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP?

‘Without Citizenship you are

Stateless’

Being an active part in Society

How we make Society fairer and more inclusive

A democracy where people participate and belong

How we make Society work – together

How we unite people

A powerful status

Its both Rights & Obligations

For most it’s automatic - when you

are born

If you have a disability it’s very

different!

Life with no meaning

Life with no purpose

Seen as having no talents, gifts & skills

Others control your life

Living in poverty or trapped and dependent

Living in places you don’t want to be

No privacy, rights or belonging

Controlled, segregated, abused and lonely

A loveless life

What are the Keys?

Purpose

Freedom

Money

Help

Home

Life

Love

A bit like finishing a jigsaw...

It’s not about

achieving just one

Key. You have to

complete the whole picture

SO WHY USE KEYS ?

Because Citizenship is what people tell

us they want!

They tell us they want……..

To be happy

To be in control of their lives

To be able to speak up

To be fulfilled

To be part of a family & have a family

To be part of their communities

To have a place to call home

To love & be loved

A life that makes sense to them

So that is the Job!

Exercise

7 groups

1 scribe 1 person feedback

Each group takes 1 Key

Summarise the importance of the Key for the other groups (15 minutes)

To achieve that Key what could you do? And how? (15 minutes)

Each group feedback (15 minutes)

Key 1 – Purpose

Purpose means citizens having lives that are meaningful and that have a sense of purpose. Sometimes we find ourselves living a life without meaning.

Key 2 – Freedom

Citizens are born free, but sometimes that freedom is lost. People with disabilities, especially people who don’t communicate with words, often find that other people take control of their lives.

Key 3 – Money

Citizens need money and at least enough money to allow us to live with dignity and security. Too many people, especially disabled people find themselves living in poverty.

Key 4 – Home

Citizens belong. They have their own place, a home where they are safe and secure, in a community that is right for them. Many disabled people find themselves living with their families too long, or are stuck in care homes.

Key 5 – Help

Citizens need help. Everyone needs help. Help is good. But many disabled people are made to be too dependent on those who help them. They get help at the price of freedom. This is bad help.

Key 6 – Life

Citizenship is about making a difference. We do this by getting involved and helping make our community a better place. Many disabled people are excluded from community life.

Key 7 – Love

The most important thing in the world is love. Love exists even when citizenship is missing, but true citizenship strengthens the force of love in the world. Disabled people can love and be loved just like everyone else. But sometimes the world makes it harder.

My contact details

Sam Sly

Enough is Enough

Time4Change!

sam.sly@enoughisenough.org.uk

www.enoughisenough.org.uk

07900 424144