I’m Matt, an Associate in SeeAbility’s Listen Up! team. I love what I do because I have my voice heard all over the country.

How has life changed since you joined the Listen Up! team?

It’s much better because I’ve now got confidence and can talk to people without feeling nervous.

I’ve noticed I’ve been able to build up friendships now I’ve come out of my shell. It’s a big achievement for me and I’m really proud of myself.

Why is self-advocacy important to you?

It means I can speak up about change that needs to happen. People listen to me now I’ve found my voice.

In my day-to-day life I can advocate for myself more on what I enjoy doing. I also share my lived experience with organisations and university students so they know what great support looks like.

What do you want the government to hear from you?

I want to help make social care better.

If social care worked better, I would have more hours of support. Life would be better because I would be more empowered to take more control over my life.

Without good social care and the great support workers I have now, my life would be horrible. I’ve experienced social care that wasn’t great and I felt so unsupported and lonely. I wasn’t able to see my family  much.

What difference would improved social care make?

The right investment in social care would mean that everyone can have great support like I have now.

• I can go out and live my life how I choose.
• I have good friends and more confidence.
• I can see my family whenever I want.
• I can make a difference through my role in the Listen Up! team.