Easy read version.
What is OneConversation?
OneConversation is a group of people who are fed up that people with learning disabilities and autism are not allowed to have the same things in life as everyone else.
The group also do not think it is fair when people with learning disabilities and autism are treated in horrible ways.
The OneConversation group believe people with learning disabilities and autism get treated this way because people do not understand disabilities.
The OneConversation group believe the best way to help people understand disability is to have a conversation with them about their own disability.
We hope that if people understand learning disabilities and autism better they will be more supportive and friendly.
What does OneConversation do?
OneConversation go to places to talk to people who do not have disabilities.
OneConversation tell people about their disability.
OneConversation also tell people about what they do in their life and the things they like.
This helps to show people they have more in common with people with disabilities than they realise.
Some of the places OneConversation go to talk to people are:
Schools and colleges
Businesses
Sports clubs (like Mansfield Town FC)
Services (like the NHS and the Police)
Bars
How we work.
We meet as a group every week on a Wednesday to talk about things.
This used to happen at The Old Library in Mansfield, but since COVID-19 we meet via video meetings (on Zoom).
We use this time planning what we want to say when we go an do events.
We also use this time to create flyers, videos and art to let everyone know about OneConversation.
Are you Satisfied?!
Every year we focus on a theme, so that we get everyone to think and talk about the same thing. This is called a campaign.
In 2021, our campaign getting everyone to ask themselves the question ‘Are you Satisfied?!’
We want people to with learning disabilities to think about the things in their life they are not satisfied with, and to tell people about it.
You might want to go out more or stay out later. You might feel that people caring for you do not think it is safe for you to have relationships or have sex. You might want a job, but cannot find one. Anything at all, we want you to speak up.
We also want care staff and families to be involved. They often want more for people with learning disabilities and autism, but often do not have the money or time to provide it. We want them to speak up to.
Keep checking this website and our social media for updates on how you can get involved in speaking up.
OneWalk.
Our group started out as a march once a year around Mansfield town centre.
We invited people to come and walk around with banners and signs they made.
The march is to remind people that there are people with learning disabilities and autism in their town, and they have the same human rights as everybody else.
In 2019, more than 900 people marched. Some of the people have disabilities and some do not. But everybody there agrees that things need to be better for people with learning disabilities and autism.
OneWalk will continue to happen every year. It is usually in June.
Film Club.
OneConversation runs a weekly film club to help people stay connected.
The idea is simple:
We send an email telling you what film to watch.
You watch the film in your own time.
We all have a Zoom meeting on a Thursday morning to talk about the film.
Film club is open for anyone to join. If you want to be a part of it, just click the button below and send us an email.
We will then send you the invites every week.
How to get involved.
If you want to be a OneConversation activist please get in contact with us and we will be happy to tell you all about what is involved.
We can do this by phone, by video meeting, or in person (when we are not in lockdown!)