A SELF-advocate from Hampshire has spoken about her experiences at her first public speaking event at a learning disabilities event.

Fahmina Hoque attended the Learning Disability Network London's Spotlight On event.

The event, held as part of Learning Disability Week, aimed to highlight the success stories within the learning disability community.

Ms Hoque, 25, moved to Hampshire last year to live with her husband, Mehdi.

She requested an advocate from social services but was informed she wasn't entitled to one.

She was instead referred to VoiceAbility, a charity that supports independent advocacy, which helped her discover self-advocacy.

This led to her joining Speak Out Hampshire, a group for people with learning disabilities, and becoming part of the Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership.

Journalist Saba Salman (left) with speakers Laura Broughton, Gary Bourlet and Fahmina Hoque.   (Image: VoiceAbility)

Speaking to event host, journalist Saba Salman, Ms Hoque defined self-advocacy as "speaking up for yourself and other people with learning disabilities" in order to address issues such as GP services and social care, and to ensure influential figures listen.

Ms Hoque has said: "Where I am today I would say is because of my primary school, St Marks [in Brighton]. If it wasn’t for them, I would not be the Fahmina that I am today.

"They recognised my barriers and challenges.

"They helped me by reaching out to a charity called Amaze and, as a team, they supported me to move to a special needs school."

After the event, she said: "I did my best to be confident and I’m proud of myself."

Before adding: "I did not know the other people speaking, but it made me feel not alone."