SPICE

What is SPICE?

SPICE stands for Supporting People Into Community Employment.  It is a user-led group made up of people we support.  The group are 'experts by experience' and use their personal experiences and first-hand knowledge to raise awareness about issues that matter to them.

The aims of SPICE are:

• To provide paid employment for members of the group
• To develop skills, confidence and friendships
• To support people to have a voice who otherwise would not be able to advocate for themselves
• To change society's perception of learning disabilities and break down stereotypes and discrimination
• To empower people to campaign for greater rights, choice and control

What SPICE do?

• SPICE provide training to other organisations including universities, the police and hospitals.  They also provide training to other people with learning disabilities and have delivered workshops and presentations at various conferences including 'My Life' and 'North West Regional Conference'. 
• SPICE have developed a strong partnership with Salford University and contribute towards the Joint Learning Disabilities and Social Work Programme. Click here for further information.
• SPICE have produced training DVDs which can be used for staff working within health and social care.
• SPICE have set up a quality checking group called the 'Getting it Right Team'.  The team have developed their own adult tool which they use when visiting people in their own homes to make sure people are happy where they live and how they are supported.  The team write a report and make recommendations to improve service delivery and the quality of life for the people using services.
• The SPICE group have developed and deliver training to other people with learning disabilities around fair recruitment and selections.  The group form part of the interview panels at various organisations.
• The SPICE group have developed a 'Say No to Hate Crime' project to look at how people with learning disabilities can be affected by hate crime.  They have developed a number of resources and have provided training to help people with learning disabilities, and those who support them, recognise and report hate crime.  They have also provided training to the police.
• The SPICE group have a 'self-advocates' group who have developed training and offer peer support to each other.
• The SPICE group are working in partnership with SeeAbility to deliver sessions to raise awareness of the importance of eye tests and show how provisions can be made to make eye tests accessible to everyone. They also promote the Greater Manchester 'Eye Test Made Easy Scheme'.

If you would like to find out more about any of the work that SPICE do, or to find out how they can benefit you or your organisation please contact us and we can give you more information and discuss your individual requirements.

Rochdale Safe Place Scheme

The Safe Place Scheme is part of our Hate Crime/Keeping Safe project run by SPICE. It is supported by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership.

A Safe Place is somewhere people can go if they feel scared, are lost or need help when they are out and about. It can be a shop, office, station or public building such as a library or leisure centre.

Click here to learn about the Rochdale Safe Place Scheme.

 

Self-Advocacy Webinar

The SPICE Group co-hosted a Self-Advocacy Webinar with Learning Disability England.

The SPICE Group's self-advocates, Daniel and Maz shared their stories to raise awareness and inspire others.

The webinar is called, "It's MY Life" - Self-Advocacy for People With Learning Disabilities" it focuses on how people with learning disabilities are supported to get their voices heard, feel respected and get the best outcomes.

This webinar is useful to self advocates, service providers, commissioners, parents, carers and anyone else who is committed to supporting self-advocacy.

Click here or on the image to the right to watch the webinar.

 

SPICE win an award at The Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards!

A huge congratulations to our amazing SPICE Group for winning the Leader Across Boundaries award at the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards.

The SPICE Group had a fantastic evening taking in the great atmosphere and celebrating the amazing work that is taking place in Greater Manchester with all the finalists and winners. 

Everyone at Future Directions is extremely proud of the inspiring work that The SPICE Group do, their achievements and how they are dedicated to make a real difference to people's lives.

Click here to read more about the award and the award ceremony.

 

Jenny's Blog about SPICE on LDNurse.com

Jenny Neville has a blog post published on LDNurse.com, Jenny's blog is called 'Asking the Real Experts' and talks about how SPICE are making a difference by ensuring people have a voice and are listened to. Jenny also explains how SPICE started and the fantastic work that they do.

Click here to read Jenny's Blog on LDNurse.com