About Us
We have been running since 1984 when Alice Etherington went to a big People First event in Canada. When she came back, she set up a speaking-up group with four adults with learning difficulties.
Camden People First (CPF) grew from there into a self-advocacy organisation.
We became a company in 2005 and a registered charity in 2007.
"Bigger and Stronger Together" - Camden People First
Our Mission
Camden People First is run by adults with learning difficulties. We want to make life better for people with learning difficulties in Camden by us having full rights, having our say, and leading change.
Why we are special
Camden People First is special because we are the only organisation in Camden that is run by people with learning difficulties.
We are led by 10 trustees who all have learning difficulties.
Our Values
What is self-advocacy?
Self-advocacy is being able to speak-up for yourself and the things that are important to you. Self-advocacy means you are able to ask for what you need and want and tell people about your thoughts and feelings. Self-advocacy means you know your rights and responsibilities, you speak-up for your rights, and you are able to make choices and decisions that affect your life.
The goal of self-advocacy is for YOU to decide what you want, then find a way to get it. It does not mean you can’t get help if you need or want it, it just means that you are making the choices you want to make and you are responsible for the choices you make.
​
It is important to learn self-advocacy skills because it helps you decide what you want for yourself. When you have good self-advocacy skills, you can have more control and make the life decisions that are best for you. Self-advocacy helps to make you to speak-up for yourself and make decisions about your life.
​
Self-advocacy is about people with disabilities speaking up for themselves, making decisions about their lives, and making sure everyone has the same rights. It is about being more in control with your life.