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Voices
Advocacy
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Hear My Voice
Launched in 2025, Hear My Voice builds on 14 years of advocacy at The Sunnybank Trust.
Our team has supported people with learning disabilities to have their voices heard and their rights respected.​​
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Hear My Voice is our way of reaching more people and tackling more inequalities that people with learning disabilities face on a daily basis.
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What we do
Everyone has the right to be heard, make choices, and be in control of their own life.
Sunnybank’s Advocacy service "Hear My Voice" provides advocacy and support for adults with learning disabilities across Surrey. ​
Independent Advocacy
Appropriate Adult Service
Care & Home Reviews
Hospital Discharge Meetings
Best Interest Meetings
Independent Visitor
2600+
hours of advocacy delivered in 2024
64%
of the issues are related to the gaps within the health and social care sector
How we work:
Our advocacy team is here to ensure that every person has a voice, is treated with dignity, and can make informed choices about their life and care.
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Person-centred: We focus on what matters most to the individual, respecting their values, wishes, and preferences.
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Impartial and independent: Advocates are not part of statutory care or treatment teams, ensuring our support is unbiased and focused solely on the individual’s best interests.
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Rights-based: We uphold the legal and human rights of people with learning disabilities, including their right to be heard and to participate in decisions.
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Inclusive communication: We use accessible and adapted communication methods to ensure understanding and meaningful involvement.
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Supportive of decision-making: We help individuals understand their options and express their views, even if they lack capacity to make specific decisions.
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Confidential: Advocacy is a safe space—personal information is treated with respect and shared only when necessary and appropriate.
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Collaborative: We work alongside families, professionals, and services to support positive change and inclusive outcomes.
Why we are needed
Adults with learning disabilities often face health and social inequalities. They are less likely to receive the care, information, and support they need, and more likely to experience barriers when accessing health services.
They may also face challenges in social care, such as getting help with daily tasks or support at home, finding suitable housing, making friends, and joining in leisure activities. These barriers can lead to social isolation, limit independence, and prevent people from living full, connected lives.
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Approximately 31% of adults with learning disabilities live in poverty.​​
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42% of deaths among people with learning disabilities are considered avoidable.​​​
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Women with learning disabilities had lower rates of cancer screening.
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Severe mental illness is 8.4x more common among people with learning disabilities.
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Adults with learning disabilities are 7x more likely to experience loneliness and isolation.​
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Over 70% of adults with autism or learning disabilities have experienced hate crime.​​
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Our Impact: May 2025
243
issues support
17
care homes supported
8
external agencies we worked with
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"I don't know what I would do without my advocate"
Sunnybank Advocacy Partner
What is an
Advocacy Partner?
At Sunnybank, we use the term "advocacy partner" because it reflects how we work.
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A Sunnybank Advocacy Partner is someone who uses our services, and our Advocacy team works alongside them to ensure their needs are met through shared support.
Read our 23/24 Impact Report
Donate to
The Sunnybank Trust
Your support can help transform the lives of
people with learning disabilities.
