Inclusion North Bulletin

Issue Number 55
26th November 2013 In this bulletin you will hear about some of the work Inclusion North is doing and information about what is happening across the country.

Find Inclusion North on Facebook and Twitter You can find out more about all the work we are doing by following us on Facebook and twitter at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/InclusionNorth Twitter: @InclusionNorth

Think Different, Think Possible, Thing Individual

In October Inclusion North, North East Autism Consortium, and nine Local Authorities joined together to explore selfemployment for people with learning disabilities and autism. We held a whole day event in Darlington, showcasing some of the North Easts best examples of people working hard to do things differently. We spent the afternoon figuring out what it takes for ideas to be made into business ideas. The event was great fun. People said they really enjoyed meeting people and seeing it happen for people it was inspirational

 excellent networking opportunity fantastic to see micro enterprise in action very motivating event. People also said they wanted a blog where examples can be highlighted and good ideas shared. They would like more examples of enterprise across the disability sector. All of the local areas have an action to help make selfemployment more of a possibility in their area.

Working out Personalisation and Personal Budgets together

Support for members As part of its work plan Inclusion North is offering to support its member areas to review how Personalisation & Personal Budgets are working for them and local people and how they can change the conversation to make it work better for everyone. We are making this offer as many people told us it is a priority area for them The aim would be - To establish a shared understand of what is working or not working in the practical implementation - Increase confidence and understanding amongst practitioners, people & families in the local practice - Identify solutions to challenges and changes or tools that will improve the implementation outcomes for individuals & the efficiency of the process This work will draw upon learning and good practice from across the country, Yorkshire, Humber & the North East. The process and learning will also be shared from work we

have done over the last 18 months. This offer is open to any Inclusion North member areas. It is part of the work plan so does not use any of the local resource or vouchers from members subscription We will design and agree exactly how we do this work with each area based on local structures and priorities. We will send out more information this week or you can contact Sam to find out more.

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) Recruiting New Members

The DPTAC advises government on transport issues for disabled people. It is a small independent advisory group offering advice and challenge to the government and support to the transport industry to better meet the transport needs of disabled people. DPTAC has been reviewed to improve how it works and a recruitment process has started to appoint new members from April 2014. DPTACs members are mostly disabled people. They have a lot of knowledge of private and public transport issues. The members role is to press for the interests of all disabled people rather than any particular interest group or organisation. They are paid for their time and may claim to cover expenses. The closing date for applications is 2 January 2014. For more information go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disabledpersons-transport-advisory-committee/about

Could you help to shape the work of the Winterbourne View Joint Improvement Programme? A message from the programme
The Winterbourne Joint Improvement Programme has been set up to help make the changes to services so that people with learning disabilities or autism who need it get good safe support. We want to make sure our work is shaped by people who know about the important parts of the work. One way we are doing that is by setting up an Engagement Reference Group. We are setting up the reference group to help people from across England get involved. Reference group members can choose not to get involved if they are busy or it is something they do not want to work on. If you are interested in joining the Engagement reference group please fill in this short form: https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/reference If you'd like to find out more about our engagement plan and work you can get in touch with Angela Ellis who is the Engagement Adviser.

Angela's email address is angela.ellis@local.gov.uk

Tools for Inclusion Course

Connect in the North are delivering some training called Tools for Inclusion. This is facilitator training in Leeds. It is a 5 day course which is happening on 12th, 13th and 14th February and 20th, 21st March 2014. Participants will learn how to facilitate Essential Lifestyle Planning, MAP, path and Community Connecting grids. This training is for people that work with people with learning difficulties, physical impairments, mental health issues or older people. For more information visit their website http://www.citn.org.uk/tools-for-inclusion/

Leeds Pride 2014

Connect in the North want to march at Leeds gay pride in August. We are looking for lesbian, gay and bisexual people with learning difficulties who want to join us. We are going to have a meeting on Tuesday 21st January for anyone who is interested. You can see a flyer for the event here. For more information contact Connect in the North sarah@citn.org.uk

www.citn.org.uk

International Day of Disabled People Evening Performance - 3 December 2013

To celebrate this years International Day of Disabled People, Disability North in partnership with Sage Gateshead, is delighted to announce there will be an evening of performances by disabled people and inclusive groups from around the region featuring song, dance, music, drama and film on the evening of the 3rd December 2013. The evening will feature performances and films by the following artists:

Clarence Adoo Recovery Rocks Choir Beacon Hill Art Tin Arts The Seven Stars (Headway Arts) UpBeat!

Tickets are now on sale for this event from Sage Gateshead costing 10 each. To find out more about the event please click on the following link: International Day Evening. If you would like any information on any of our meetings, training or projects you can contact the office on: Tel: 0113 262 6409 E-mail: info@inclusionnorth.org

Or you can write to us at:

Inclusion North 191 Belle Vue Road Leeds LS3 1HG You can visit our website at: www.inclusionnorth.org

Or you can contact any member of the Inclusion North team: Samantha Clark Tel: 07823 536 603 Email: Samantha@inclusionnorth.org

Scott Cunningham Tel: 07767 776 125 Email: Scott@inclusionnorth.org

Kellie Woodley Tel: 07876 145 390 Email: Kellie@inclusionnorth.org