1. All about people... I CAN…You CAN…WE CAN!
CAN – Compass Advocacy Network;
Our Foundations as an ‘Advocacy Service’ in 1996;
Aims to “Enhance Lives and Create Change” for people with learning disabilities and associated problems aged 12+;
Now work with over 140+ service users, employs 16 staff and sessional workers;
Grass Roots provision – user-managed with the people we serve at our core;
Key Values are Respect, Opportunities, Participation and Empowerment and is
the ROPE which binds and runs through
our whole organisation
CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) is a unique and significant user-led charity of people with learning disabilities (PWLD) aged 12 and over, based in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. We are extremely proud of our organisation as it has remained user-led and managed, independent, progressive and proactive.
We want people with learning disabilities to be the best they can be, to have aspirations, to have choice and take control of their lives, be responsible citizens and speak up for and be good role models for their peers. We are about “Enhancing Lives and Creating Change” for individuals through a range of projects and social enterprises, all focused on enabling people to become self-advocates, to improve their employability, self-esteem and confidence.
In relation to all of the purposes of Compass Advocacy Network, the direct benefits can include; the advancement of citizenship, education and relief of poverty and unemployment, the enhancement of the physical and mental health, the promotion of social inclusion, the raising of public awareness for people with learning disabilities, difficulties and associated problems aged 12 and over.
I CAN…You CAN…WE CAN!

2. CAN Core Elements... I CAN…You CAN…WE CAN!
Advocacy & Support Services
Services incl. Social/Day Opportunities
Social Enterprise incl. Training & Employment
Health
& Well-Being Programmes
I CAN…You CAN…WE CAN!

3. Wise Guys
Funded by BCPP – Building Community Pharmacy Partnership Level 1
Was a 6 session health education programme for men with learning disabilities
Programme started with the participants choosing the sessions, topics and facilitators
Participants chose all of the additional activities
We had an excellent pharmacist who took what our folks wanted and built her sessions from their foundations
Had to adapt and change to meet the participants changing needs
Was very successful and produced lots of positive impact

4. HOPE Healthy Opportunities & Personal Enjoyment
Funded by BCPP level 2 funding
1 year health education programme for men and women with learning disabilities
Entire programme has been co-produced
Participants have chosen the name, topics covered, facilitators, additional activities and most importantly… the food and refreshments
Started in September 2016 and our last session was Sex & Relationships delivered in partnership with Engage 360
The same pharmacist is involved and again is taking her direction from our participants about what they want… social media scenario

5. Co-Production We have been co-producing projects since our inception
We always called it being user led and managed
The field of Learning Disability have been co-producing projects for many years
We have the structures in place which makes it easier for us to find out what our members want and need from us
We operate from an Equality standpoint so we value the input from all our participants
We recognise that our members are the experts in their own lives.

6. Co-Production The Core Principles
Our people really are our assets and we value all of their input
We build on existing skills and we recognise all of their life experiences
We promote equality at all levels within our organisation and our members have seats at the boardroom table
We break down barriers and support our members by being an independent voice and interface with the professionals in their lives
We facilitate services rather than deliver them to people
We encourage the accumulation of social capital through the formation of peer networks

7. In Action
Think about who needs to be part of the project – stakeholders
Work out how to support each other and learn to make decisions together
Work together to agree your agenda or plan
Agree with each other about what you want
Identify the resources needed to bring about success
Work together to plan the short, medium and long term goals – set actions
Take action and Just Do It
Review your actions and assess success – Did you make a difference?

8. Example In Action

9. Thank you….