News Story
New Consultation Service for Disabled People in West Midlands
A charity run by and working for Disabled people in Warwickshire and Coventry has begun providing a new service to support Disabled People to take part in government and public body consultations. The Council of Disabled People (CDP) received a grant worth nearly £59,000 to support the project over three years from Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales through its Community programme.
Since the early 1990’s the CDP has worked to promote the interests of Disabled people in Warwickshire & Coventry by removing those barriers that exclude Disabled people from taking a full part in the social, political and economic lives of their community. Funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation has allowed the charity to employ a project worker who will support Disabled people and their families or carers to participate in consultation activities in order to make their voice heard. CDP will provide a one stop shop for all the information, advice and where necessary, the training that people need to participate effectively in consultations on the services that they use.
Tony Walsh, chief executive of the Council of Disabled People, Warwickshire & Coventry, discussed the project. “We believe that Disabled people who use health, housing, education or social services are amongst the most important people to consult before any changes to those services. Yet people are either unaware of the consultations taking place or believe they won’t be listened to. With the right advice and support Disabled people can make a huge difference to how public services are delivered and they are far more likely to engage with consultations in the future.”
Lloyds TSB Foundation for England & Wales grant manager for the West Midlands, Peter Cunnison commented, “CDP achieves great things for the confidence and social involvement of people taking part in the project, but it also improves the quality of the public services being delivered to all Disabled people in the West Midlands. The Lloyds TSB Foundation is delighted to support this work that helps disadvantaged people to be heard in their community.”
To learn more about CDP or find out how to take part in consultations please visit the website at www.cdp.org.uk or contact Robert Mottram, project coordinator at the charity on 02476 716217.
