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Redbridge Forum

Redbridge Forum. Mary Busk Chair of the Management Board. Who are we?. A registered charity working with groups and individuals, aiming to improve the quality of life and ensure equality of opportunity for people with a learning disability and their families in Redbridge

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Redbridge Forum

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  1. Redbridge Forum Mary Busk Chair of the Management Board

  2. Who are we? • A registered charity working with groups and individuals, aiming to improve the quality of life and ensure equality of opportunity for people with a learning disability and their families in Redbridge • Funded as a strategic partner as part of the Redbridge Disability Consortium • Membership of individuals, organisations and community groups. • Small staff team consists of 1 full-time and 3 part-time workers, supported by more than 40 volunteers, of whom a number are people with a learning disability • Service users and parents on the Management Board

  3. Learning disabilities • Spectrum - Mild, Moderate, Severe, Profound • Associated with another disability/disabilities (e.g. Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Global Learning Delay, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, genetic related disabilities etc) • Likely to have multiple diagnoses • Likely to have other health conditions (e.g. epilepsy, diabetes) • Requiring a range of health interventions across GP, community, hospital and other services across a wide geographical area • Mainstream and special schools • “Children in Need” and so eligible for social care • capacity of families to cope recognised in law • Some eligible for adult social care

  4. Voice for people with learning disability • Children’s advocacy - information on services, employment and training schemes, respite care, health services, housing provision, transport services, leisure activities and benefits advice through our Advocacy service and Newsletters • Consultations and events (e.g health events)

  5. Voice for people with a learning disability • Group (adult) advocacy • Provide group advocacy support within 2 local day centres, Woodbine Clubhouse and the Mildmay Community Options. • Discuss important issues and seek views from service users and family carers through our regular Focus Groups, which are fed back into the service planning structures. • Put the opinions of service users and carers together and present them to the Partnership Board and relevant task groups for Learning Disability, through our voluntary sector representative role and advocacy support to both service user and carer representatives, in order to improve the quality of services and shape future development.

  6. Parent carer led Parent Forum • Funded by national Government to influence and change services so as to improve lives of disabled children and their families in Redbridge • Successes in: • short breaks (got all funding and helped commission many fun and essential services); • mainstreaming disability (e.g. Youth Services); • engaging with health (e.g. developing clinical care pathways for diagnoses) • Local and national consultation responses • Work closely with Councillors and MPs and others • Work with other Parent Forums in London and across England

  7. Short breaks for children • Bright Ideas Playscheme - for children aged between 4 – 10 years with a disability and/or complex health need. Funded by Local authority and

  8. Short breaks for families • Fun for All is a project allowing all the family to participate in fun activities together in the holidays. Very popular. • Trips to the Cinema (so removing stress for families), Theme Parks, Ice Skating, Boat Trips, Museums and much more. • Funded by Local Authority and a small charge from users

  9. True Colours Youth Group • Young disabled people aged 14-21 years • Run by a small committee of young people • Meet on a Wednesday evening at 7-9.30pm at the Mildmay Community Centre, where they enjoy activities such as Wii, air hockey, table football, table tennis, music, hair and beauty • Hang out and enjoy a chat • Funded by Local Authority and

  10. Other responsibilities • Co-ordinate the annual Opportunities Fair for young people with a disability in transition from school, jointly planned with adult and childrens' disability services, Connexions, health, education, training and leisure services • Hate Crime and Referral Centre • Meeting Room for Hire

  11. New ventures • Fit for Fun (weekly fitness for women only) • Chillax Parent Carer Support Group • Selling Radar Keys

  12. Issues going forward • Funding and remaining a priority in tough financial climate across all services • Getting our voice heard – • parent carers are carers first • learning disabled children and young people may not have a voice at all • Continuing to work with colleagues in other groups, CVS, local authority, health and others • Changing the culture in society • Outcomes from SEN Green Paper • Health

  13. Thank you

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