Viewpoint
The voice of the people we support
Chairperson
My name is Stephen Browne and I am the Chairperson of ‘Viewpoint’ - Sunbeam’s Self-Advocacy Group. We are a rights-based group that meet once a month to speak up for ourselves and for all men and women who attend Sunbeam services. Viewpoint works together with Sunbeam management to make sure people have an equal say in how services are provided.Viewpoint believes in the motto ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Viewpoint speaks up and takes action on issues that are of concern to us and our fellow colleagues. These are issues that affect our daily lives. Our motto is: ‘Talk To Me Not About Me’.
Viewpoint has up to 12 members. This number works well for our monthly meetings so that everyone can get a chance to speak and be heard. For our meetings to run well, we have our Chairperson Stevie Browne, Vice Chairperson Ed Byrne and Independent Facilitator Eileen Kelly. Together, they organise Viewpoint meetings and make sure we follow up on the things we all agree on and decide to do.
Viewpoint members aim to represent the different locations in Sunbeam. We regard every person who attends Sunbeam as belonging to our inclusive Viewpoint community. From 2021 we aim to hold pop-up meetings in different services across Sunbeam services either on site or virtually on Zoom to reach out to all clients.
Viewpoint plans to have two ‘Viewpoint Ambassadors’ in every location to make sure that up-to-date information and feedback about services is always shared. Ambassadors can be any person who attends services as well as a member of frontline support staff.
(Viewpoint would like a link here to a leaflet called ‘All About Viewpoint’)
Please refer to our Viewpoint Strategy 2020 and Beyond for more details on our aims and hopes for the future.
(to include a link here to an easy-to-read document Viewpoint Strategy 2020 and Beyond)
As well as our Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Facilitator other members include:
Sean Sheekey, Sam O’Connor, Rebecha McAuley, Jennifer Fergusson, Cathy Macken, Gavin O Reilly, Curtis Rogan, Jordan Stubbs, Paul Roche, Killian Cloake and Eoin Hayden. Most members meet together every month and some other members join in from time to time or get involved in Viewpoint projects.
Members support and encourage each other. Some members have additional support at meetings and doing the work of the Group. This support may be from your support worker who can attend meetings with you, from the Facilitator or from other members of Viewpoint. Depending on your needs, having the right kind of support is important to make sure you can take part in the best possible way for you and for the people you represent. The right kind of support can help you feel included, build your self-confidence and skills. Some support could also be education and training with technology or presentation skills.
You need to be able to work together with other people.
You need to attend Viewpoint meetings, share your views and ideas and commit to working together in a supportive way. Our meetings usually take place in the Cedar Estate and some may also take place online.
You may need to prepare for and attend other meetings in Sunbeam or in the community.
You may need to represent Viewpoint at Sunbeam management or planning meetings about services.
You may need to represent Sunbeam at meetings in your local community or nationally about advocacy and human rights.
You may be involved in interviewing staff or in staff training.
You need to be able to tell the group your ideas and give your views or the views of other people who attend Sunbeam.
You need to have respect for others and their ideas.
You need to respect others right to privacy on confidential matters they may choose to share with the Group.
It would be good to know how to use technology to join some online meetings or you may need support with this.
Above all, you need a positive attitude.
Some of Viewpoint’s work and achievements are regularly shared on Sunbeam’s blog, Facebook page and in the Sunbeam Times so please keep up to date by checking these out.
Sunbeam clients have a long history being involved in advocacy. Achievements include lobbying for a bus shelter on Killarney Road in Bray, as well as a ramp at the Post office in Arklow.
More recently, Viewpoint members successfully campaigned for dips to be installed on the footpaths outside Southern Cross Industrial Estate to ensure safer access for people.
Viewpoint Social Distancing Stickers
During the first lockdown, Viewpoint members asked clients what their main concerns were about the reopening of services. People said they were worried about social distancing so Viewpoint created these stickers to help remind everybody to keep their distance.
Check out our Viewpoint Song ‘We’re in this Together’ – celebrating teamwork and solidarity during the pandemic.
Get in touch with your views or ideas by:
Email at ViewPoint@sunbeam.ie or through our Facilitator
Eileen.kelly@sunbeam.ie
You can also contact us by phone at 0860319409 (Facilitator’s mobile)
Also, you can leave a message on our Viewpoint answerphone:
01 2744633 Extension 633 (this answerphone needs to be activated)
Why not consider becoming a Viewpoint Member or a Viewpoint Ambassador (for more information please read our leaflet ‘All About Viewpoint’.)
Viewpoint would also love to hear from other advocacy organisations who would like to connect with us.
Thank You!