Cardiff People First is a self advocacy organisation run by and for people with a learning disability in Cardiff.

Our Full Members, all people with a learning disability, lead our organisation, some being Directors / Trustees. We employ people with specialist skills to support the running of the organisation; some have a learning disability, while others do not. The policies, ideals and aims behind Cardiff People First come from our Full Members.

The Self Advocacy Forum was formed in 1992 to support service user involvement in county planning. Residents of Ely Hospital joined the group and were supported to obtain funding for a part-time worker for their group – Ely’s People First. The group had a significant effect on
issues to do with quality of life for residents up until hospital closure. A video was produced – ‘Getting our voice heard’, copies of which are available for loan from Cardiff People First’s office.

In 1994, the Self Advocacy Forum held its first conference: delegates decided to change the name to People First South Glamorgan and a basic constitution was agreed. In 1995, because of local Government
reorganisation, the name was changed to People First Cardiff & the Vale.

In January 2000, a 3 year Service Level Agreement with Cardiff County Council commenced and People First Cardiff & the Vale was hosted by SCOVO (now Learning Disability Wales). When funding from the Vale of
Glamorgan ceased in March 2000, Cardiff and Vale work separated and the group changed its name again to Cardiff People First.

In April 2003 we received a grant of £181,689 from the Community Fund to set up the Including More Voices Project. This three year project aimed to include a wider range of people with a learning disability in speaking up. Also in 2003 we moved to our new office, in partnership
with 3 other organisations who work with people with a learning disability: Advocacy Matters Wales, Friendly Trust and Cardiff & Vale Parents’ Federation.

Cardiff People First was incorporated on 22nd April 2002, and on 26th April 2005, we became a registered charity. We are Positive about Disability employers.