What Do We DO?
Enable voices of local people with learning disabilities and family carers to be heard.
Challenge providers of local services: by representation on the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board. All local authorities must set up a Partnership Board made up of all agencies affecting people’s lives. They have responsibility for ensuring local plans are implemented. Click here to see Herefordshire Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Plan Version 2.
Make grants to local groups working with people with learning disabilities, for example:
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Summer playscheme, including a 1:1 worker for children with high support needs.
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‘News and Views’ newsletter: written by people with learning disabilities and with a wide circulation. Herefordshire Mencap provided essential recording equipment.
Support the Family Carer Network – this is a new development bringing local carers together to voice their concerns and also to offer and receive informal support. Mary Watts and Rose Hunt, the Partnership Board family carers, can then ensure that carers’ thoughts and concerns are included in local plans.
Makes holiday grants (at the moment £35) to people who are on benefits. In 2003/4, 30 people benefited.
Information: Development worker – Rose Hunt - can provide help, and advice, or tell you where else to ask, on all sorts of topics – money, schools, home care, day opportunities, direct payments, benefits, support for carers and much more!
Rose is a family carer: her son is 21 years old and has multiple needs so call on her experience to help sort your problem.
‘Help Starts Here’ is a directory of names and addresses free to anyone who wants to find out what is available locally. It covers local health services, support agencies, education, day opportunities, residential homes and much more.
The ‘Glossary’ explains initials, jargon and acronyms in plain language. Also free!