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To: Kingston council

Supporting our disabled community with advocacy and employment

I started this petition because after 20 years working as the only "independent advocate" and 3 years as the "disability confident lead" for South West London - and having contacted the Mp and council officers about creating a hub that would support the community- nothing has moved forward.
By enabling me to train and support the 1,000 clients Ambis - my organisation - has into employment and support. 80% of the clients I have including 50+ rough sleepers are more than capable of employment. However, although there are plenty of jobs in Kingston they do not pay enough to keep a roof over their heads without having to claim Universal Credit - which is not available to people living with homelessness.
Our plan is to take on 300 people with disabilities into real living wage jobs, that not only is disability confident but provides guided support. This will immediately save Kingston council £3 million in the first year £8 million on the second. Going a long way to bridge the funding gap which is having a devastating impact on families with a disabled family member especially, when that person has hidden disabilities.
To do this we need to bring the community groups we already work with like the "Rise Cafe" and "Fast Minds" under the same roof.
Starting with a charity shop in one of the vacant lots in Kingston, then building a cafe with art and music workshops that can support in engaging people who need to build up their confidence and endurance. Our work not only helps people come off benefits but it also puts money into the high street.

Why is this important?

For 20 years Ambis has worked at putting a plaster on gaping wounds with advocacy. Now we need to create solutions to the problems we witness on a daily bases.
Our care system is about to hit a crises point. I Have worked in the care system since I was 15, in a field where a high percentage of its staff were born overseas, and who are now feeling that with effectively decreasing wages and increasing rents that they can no longer afford to stay here.
We can help bridge the gap with long term carers and people who have been stuck in intergenerational poverty. Who want to work but cannot afford to do so. We can change that but only if we work together
Kingston upon Thames

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Updates

2019-11-01 13:27:18 +0000

Along with providing advocacy and Employment support, we are involved in so much more:
Ambis Advocacy
Ambis Care and maintenance
Ambis Survivors working with the community of homeless people.
Ambis in Africa more on these projects later.

2, We are setting up as a charity
3, We are working closely with the RISE community cafe and Fastminds so we have some r
4, We have the amazing opportunity of office space in Kingston with our community partnerships including the Jasmine academy supporting Syrian refugees, and an organization supporting young stroke survivors living with sickle cell anemia. This is fantastic news as it compliments the work we are doing with community leaders across Africa.
5, we are making great connections on issues of
1 Rainwater harvesting
2, HIV Aides
3 hidden disabilities
4, reproductive health
5. education
6 rural communication.
7, agriculture
& health

Get into the office and get the funding from the DWP

2019-10-18 09:01:03 +0100

100 signatures reached

2019-10-08 21:00:43 +0100

50 signatures reached

2019-10-05 07:32:23 +0100

25 signatures reached

2019-10-02 07:42:47 +0100

10 signatures reached