About Reach

“Reach gives vulnerable people a voice to be heard and that makes a difference, in not just my life but everyone else’s life as well.” – Stephen Heath, Reach member.

Reach is a group advocacy project supporting adults with learning disabilities to speak up and speak out about their lives and experiences in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Reach was set up in 2000, supporting people to come together, take part in consultations, share information and speak up for themselves and the interests of other people with learning disabilities.

Reach work creatively in supporting people to have a voice and be listened to by decision makers in social care, health and other organisations whose work affects the lives of Reach members.

Reach support the work of two Parliaments, one for Stoke-on-Trent, one for Staffordshire, where Reach MPs, voted in by other people with learning disabilities, speak up and hold services to account.

Reach invite guests to Parliament meetings to share information, strategies and plans and listen to what Reach MPs have to say.

Reach support people to take part in Learning Disability Partnership Board meetings, delivering reports, asking questions and meeting decision makers face to face.

Reach are always open to working with new people, consider anyone with a learning disability an ‘expert by experience’.  Working with Reach is free to Reach members.