Service User Involvement Project
Herefordshire Centre of Independent Living has over the last 3 years undertaken to develop service user involvement in our own organisation and in other linked forums (or forums of the person's choice) requiring representation by disabled people.
The aim of this project is to:
- Involve service users in the running of HCIL and its services
- Enable and support service users to become involved in other linked forums (or forums of the disabled person's choice)
HCIL sees this as fundamental to the principle of being an organisation of disabled people, and as a means of empowering individual disabled people, thereby increasing their ability to challenge the barriers preventing their full inclusion in society.
HCIL has a belief in and commitment to "user-centered user involvement". Disabled people are their own experts, who, when they bring their own experiences and knowledge into the organisation, become a valuable resource. This approach provides service users with the opportunity to set objectives and priorities within the organisation.
Service user involvement has been developed in various ways, such as putting in place:
- A Service User Forum
- A Reading Panel
- Service-users representing HCIL at conferences, forums etc.
- Service-user representatives on staff recruitment panels
- Service-users being consulted by external organisations on issues that affect them
This is a real opportunity for service users to have a say in the way that HCIL is run and how the service we offer can be improved.
Service User Forum (SUF)
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| Co-Chairs of the SUF: Anthea Penfold (left) and Maggie O'Neil (right). SUF Facilitator: Gill Owen (centre back) |
The aim of this Forum is to involve service-users in the running of HCIL and its services.
The SUF is led by disabled people who, when they bring their own experiences and knowledge into the organisation, become a valuable resource. This approach provides service-users with the opportunity to set objectives and priorities within HCIL. The SUF has developed into a decision making group and are consulted by HCIL staff on any operational day-to-day issues that will affect service-users. Matters that have been put before the SUF include:
- Ensuring all information sent out to service-users is accessible
- Training for personal assistants
- Development of the HCIL website
- Development of the HCIL newsletter
The SUF is open to all HCIL service users who are members of the organisation. The meetings are held every 6 weeks and service users can claim for travel expenses to meetings and the extra cost of personal assistance, if required.
For the date of the next SUF meeting please go to the Meetings & Events page. If you require further details please contact Gill Owen.
Future Development of Service-User Involvement
Peer Mentoring Scheme
Experienced direct payment users will mentor new or less experienced users.
Disability Equality Training
Service-users will train as trainers and offer Disability Equality Training courses to staff, statutory organisations and businesses.
Service User Network
The Peer Support Group has become an independent organisation called the Service User Network (SUN). SUN is run and facilitated by disabled people. Anyone with an impairment is welcome to join the group and members are encouraged to get involved as much as possible.
SUN meets on a 6 weekly basis (Tuesday, 11am - 1pm followed by lunch), occasionally inviting a guest speaker and arranged 3 social outings a year. SUN Meetings are welcoming, open and friendly where members can share experiences of independent living in Herefordshire. Meetings also involve taking part in wider consultations carried out by other agencies such as Herefordshire Council or Primary Care Trust.
For further details go to the Service User Network (SUN) website, or if you are interested in becoming a member please contact Maria Cornell (Facilitator). A copy of the SUN leaflet can be downloaded here in pdf format.
