We have been awarded funding to head up two Timebanking schemes in Manchester and Liverpool, bringing together disabled and non-disabled volunteers to share their time and skills on an equal footing.
We have received £24,000 in funding from Trafford Council's Innovation Fund and £19,000 from the Liverpool Making it Happen Partnership Board to set up and run the volunteering schemes, which are based on the principle of people 'depositing' time to help others and receiving help back in return.
After volunteering one hour of their time to help someone else in the Timebank, each person receives one credit, which they can then trade in when they need something done for themselves at a future date.
Read the full press release about the timebanking schemes on our website
Showing posts with label learning disability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning disability. Show all posts
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Monday, 12 October 2009
Making Democracy Accessible
Here is an excerpt from our press release about Making Democracy Accessible:
With a general election imminent, the national learning disability charity, United Response, is launching a set of guides – Making Democracy Accessible - to help politicians, party workers and public officials communicate more effectively with the thousands of people with learning disabilities, who are currently not using their vote.
People with learning disabilities have the same right to vote as everyone else, yet at present many of the 1 million adults with learning disabilities in England are not voting. Research carried out by United Response among the people it supports, shows that while 80% are registered to vote, only 16% voted in the 2005 General Election, compared with a national turnout of 61%.
Read the full press release on our website
Read more about the project on our website
Politicians must make democracy more accessible, says learning disability charity, United Response
With a general election imminent, the national learning disability charity, United Response, is launching a set of guides – Making Democracy Accessible - to help politicians, party workers and public officials communicate more effectively with the thousands of people with learning disabilities, who are currently not using their vote.
People with learning disabilities have the same right to vote as everyone else, yet at present many of the 1 million adults with learning disabilities in England are not voting. Research carried out by United Response among the people it supports, shows that while 80% are registered to vote, only 16% voted in the 2005 General Election, compared with a national turnout of 61%.
Read the full press release on our website
Read more about the project on our website
Monday, 20 July 2009
Disabled people must not be overlooked in social care debate
Commenting on Shaping the Future of Care Together, Su Sayer, Chief Executive of United Response, said:
"There needs to be a proper public debate on the future of social care, which is why the publication of this green paper is so important. The demand for social care continues to rise, partly as a result of demographic changes and increasing life expectancy, and we need to work out as a society how to fund it in the years to come, a question made even more pressing by the current economic situation."
Read the full press release on our website
"There needs to be a proper public debate on the future of social care, which is why the publication of this green paper is so important. The demand for social care continues to rise, partly as a result of demographic changes and increasing life expectancy, and we need to work out as a society how to fund it in the years to come, a question made even more pressing by the current economic situation."
Read the full press release on our website
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Response to the Learning Disability employment strategy: Valuing Employment Now
We have made a response to Valuing Employment Now:
We warmly welcome the publication of Valuing Employment Now, the cross-government learning disability employment strategy.
We particularly welcome the ambitious target of increasing employment levels to those of other disabled people by 2025, which implies an almost 5 fold increase in the proportion of people with a learning disability in work. We very much hope that this will be the start of much greater priority being given to employment across agencies working with people with learning disabilities.
From our experience of working with people with learning disabilities we know employment can make an enormous contribution to people's quality of life and social inclusion, as well as having financial benefits.
Read the full response on our website
We warmly welcome the publication of Valuing Employment Now, the cross-government learning disability employment strategy.
We particularly welcome the ambitious target of increasing employment levels to those of other disabled people by 2025, which implies an almost 5 fold increase in the proportion of people with a learning disability in work. We very much hope that this will be the start of much greater priority being given to employment across agencies working with people with learning disabilities.
From our experience of working with people with learning disabilities we know employment can make an enormous contribution to people's quality of life and social inclusion, as well as having financial benefits.
Read the full response on our website
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Every Vote Counts! in Community Care magazine
Every Vote Counts! - the project United Response has been working on to help people with learning disabilities engage with the democratic procress has been featured in Community Care magazine.
Read the article in full on Community Care's website
Read the article in full on Community Care's website
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Every Vote Counts! website launched
With elections around the corner, we've launched the Every Vote Counts! website to make it easier for people with learning disabilities to use their vote and have their say.
The website, www.everyvotecounts.org.uk has been built in consultation with people with learning disabilities. It is part of the three year Every Vote Counts! campaign launched by us, and funded by the Electoral Commission. It is designed to open up the democratic process to the thousands of people with learning disabilities in England who are currently missing out on the opportunity to vote.
We hope the Every Vote Counts! website will make the democratic process more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Using pictures, easy to understand words and audio, the site provides information on how politics works, how it affects people's lives and how people can get involved and register their opinion.
It also includes a section where users can feedback on their own experiences of using the website, contributing to its ongoing development as well as the option to register to receive updates as new features are added. The site is continuing to be user tested with people with learning disabilities, so it can be as accessible to as many people as possible.
Read the full press release on our website
The website, www.everyvotecounts.org.uk has been built in consultation with people with learning disabilities. It is part of the three year Every Vote Counts! campaign launched by us, and funded by the Electoral Commission. It is designed to open up the democratic process to the thousands of people with learning disabilities in England who are currently missing out on the opportunity to vote.
We hope the Every Vote Counts! website will make the democratic process more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Using pictures, easy to understand words and audio, the site provides information on how politics works, how it affects people's lives and how people can get involved and register their opinion.
It also includes a section where users can feedback on their own experiences of using the website, contributing to its ongoing development as well as the option to register to receive updates as new features are added. The site is continuing to be user tested with people with learning disabilities, so it can be as accessible to as many people as possible.
Read the full press release on our website
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
What's it like to be a young person with a learning disability?
Two young people with learning disabilities are featured in today's Youth special supplement in The Guardian. They explain that having a learning disability does not stop them from having a girlfriend or holding down a part-time job.
You can read the full feature here
They are both supported by United Response.
You can read the full feature here
They are both supported by United Response.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Animation film premiers at Liverpool’s Big Screen
An animation film made by some people with learning disabilities supported by United Response in Liverpool is being shown on the big screen.
Written, produced and performed by the group from Anfield, “From Oakfiends to Iron Men” is a time travelling adventure, which sees Dr Who taking on his archenemies the Daleks with the help of Crosby Beach’s ‘Iron Men’.
This seven minute animation - a collaboration between the disability charity, United Response and the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) - is being shown hourly at Clayton's Big Screen until 28th February.
Read the press release on our website for more information
Written, produced and performed by the group from Anfield, “From Oakfiends to Iron Men” is a time travelling adventure, which sees Dr Who taking on his archenemies the Daleks with the help of Crosby Beach’s ‘Iron Men’.
This seven minute animation - a collaboration between the disability charity, United Response and the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) - is being shown hourly at Clayton's Big Screen until 28th February.
Read the press release on our website for more information
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Valuing People Now strategy published
The government has published its three year strategy Valuing People Now.
This sets out a strategy for people with learning disabilities following consultation.
We have commented on this on our website. Read our press release about Valuing People Now.
You can find the full strategy, an executive summary and an easy-read version on the Department of Health's website.
This sets out a strategy for people with learning disabilities following consultation.
We have commented on this on our website. Read our press release about Valuing People Now.
You can find the full strategy, an executive summary and an easy-read version on the Department of Health's website.
Monday, 19 January 2009
Campaign for better funding - get involved!
United Response is a member of the Learning Disability Coalition, which is campaigning for better funding for social care for people with learning disabilities.
The Coalition is calling on MPs to sign its Early Day Motion (EDM). An EDM is essentially a petition that MPs can sign to ask the government to take action on an issue.
Go to the form on the Learning Disability Coalition's website to help you contact your MP and ask them to sign up.
The website also gives you the opportunity to sign the online petition to support the Learning Disablity Coalition's work.
The Coalition is calling on MPs to sign its Early Day Motion (EDM). An EDM is essentially a petition that MPs can sign to ask the government to take action on an issue.
Go to the form on the Learning Disability Coalition's website to help you contact your MP and ask them to sign up.
The website also gives you the opportunity to sign the online petition to support the Learning Disablity Coalition's work.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
London Recruitment day - calling support staff!
We are holding a recruitment day at our Putney offices in London on 11th February.
If you live in the London area and fancy working for us, come along to our recruitment day!
We have several senior support worker and support worker vacancies we are looking to fill.
All you need to do is to register online, answer some questions and then you could either qualify for an interview on the recruitment day or at a later stage.
Go to the page on our jobs site to register and find out more
You can find out more about working for United Response and some of the benefits you will receive on our own site. Go to the jobs home page on our site at www.unitedresponse.org.uk/jobs
If you live in the London area and fancy working for us, come along to our recruitment day!
We have several senior support worker and support worker vacancies we are looking to fill.
All you need to do is to register online, answer some questions and then you could either qualify for an interview on the recruitment day or at a later stage.
Go to the page on our jobs site to register and find out more
You can find out more about working for United Response and some of the benefits you will receive on our own site. Go to the jobs home page on our site at www.unitedresponse.org.uk/jobs
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Queen's Speech response: Welfare reform must deliver for disabled people
We welcome legislation on welfare reform, announced in today's Queen's Speech, as an opportunity to debate employment opportunities for disabled people, but we are also concerned at the impact of penalties on those unable to access work.
Speaking about the Government's plans, Chief Executive of United Response, Su Sayer OBE, said:
"We support the Government’s objective of helping disabled people and those with mental health problems into work. Having a job is an important source of independence, self esteem and social inclusion for everyone, and is particularly important for many people with learning disabilities or mental health needs. However, employment rates for these groups remains low and as competition for jobs increases those furthest from the labour market will undoubtedly be the first to lose out, unless we take action.
"Much has been done to increase support for disabled people wishing to enter in to employment, such as the doubling of the Access to Work budget. But as take up of the scheme remains low, we believe that the Government must do more to increase awareness of such schemes in order for them to have a real impact on employment opportunities.
Read the full press release about our comments on the legislation on welfare reform on our website
Speaking about the Government's plans, Chief Executive of United Response, Su Sayer OBE, said:
"We support the Government’s objective of helping disabled people and those with mental health problems into work. Having a job is an important source of independence, self esteem and social inclusion for everyone, and is particularly important for many people with learning disabilities or mental health needs. However, employment rates for these groups remains low and as competition for jobs increases those furthest from the labour market will undoubtedly be the first to lose out, unless we take action.
"Much has been done to increase support for disabled people wishing to enter in to employment, such as the doubling of the Access to Work budget. But as take up of the scheme remains low, we believe that the Government must do more to increase awareness of such schemes in order for them to have a real impact on employment opportunities.
Read the full press release about our comments on the legislation on welfare reform on our website
European Social Fund backs employment for people with learning disabilities in Cornwall
We have been selected as a key partner in a new project to support people with learning disabilities in Cornwall into employment.
The project is "Cornwall Works for Learning Disability" and is funded by the European Social Fund. The other key partners are Cornwall People First (a local advocacy group), Cornwall County Council's department of social care and service providers Brandon Trust and Home Farm Trust.
Debbie Crowther has been named as United Response's business development manager, responsible for spearheading the project. She has a wealth of experience working with people with learning disabilities, including facilitating Cornwall's Learning Disability Partnership Board.
"We hope this project will prove the real positive impact employment has for people with learning disabilities, and how to bring that about with intelligent, targeted investment," Debbie said.
"I'm very excited about getting on with the job of finding the excellent potential employees we know are in Cornwall, as well as benefiting from genuine partnership with so many excellent organisations."
United Response was selected as a partner as a result of the excellent results its supported employment schemes have achieved across England.
Read the full press release on our website
The project is "Cornwall Works for Learning Disability" and is funded by the European Social Fund. The other key partners are Cornwall People First (a local advocacy group), Cornwall County Council's department of social care and service providers Brandon Trust and Home Farm Trust.
Debbie Crowther has been named as United Response's business development manager, responsible for spearheading the project. She has a wealth of experience working with people with learning disabilities, including facilitating Cornwall's Learning Disability Partnership Board.
"We hope this project will prove the real positive impact employment has for people with learning disabilities, and how to bring that about with intelligent, targeted investment," Debbie said.
"I'm very excited about getting on with the job of finding the excellent potential employees we know are in Cornwall, as well as benefiting from genuine partnership with so many excellent organisations."
United Response was selected as a partner as a result of the excellent results its supported employment schemes have achieved across England.
Read the full press release on our website
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Making Money Easier launch event
We will be launching "Making Money Easier" on 26th November. "Making Money Easier" is a set of printed and online guides designed to make banking more accessible and easier to understand for people with learning disabilities.
The event will be hosted by Martyn Lewis and guest speakers will include Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health. Building financial capability has never been more important. And this includes building financial knowledge and awareness amongst the 1m people with learning disabilities in England who are often effectively excluded from mainstream financial services by a lack of simple, accessible financial information.
To bridge the gap, we have been working with the umbrella body ARC and funders including the Friends Provident Foundation, the Now Let’s Talk Money Campaign and HSBC to create a range of brand new accessible resources under the banner "Making Money Easier".Attendance is free of charge but places are strictly limited.
To book your place please contact Pauline Spiers either by email at pauline.spiers@unitedresponse.org.uk or by calling 020 8246 5208. You will then be sent an official invitation and joining instructions.
To read the press release in full please go to our website.
Monday, 27 October 2008
United Response awarded Good Relations grant
We have received a grant of £39,326 from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to help build relationships between people with learning disabilities and the wider community.
Allocated through the EHRC's Promoting Good Relations programme the grant will fund a year long project aimed primarily at employers and employees.
Through the project we will provide bespoke awareness training to help reduce the discrimination and barriers to work experienced by people with learning disabilities.
The training will be delivered by UR Consultants, a Manchester based social enterprise run by United Response and staffed by people with learning disabilities.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Heavy Load: the movie - released this week!
Heavy Load is Lewes’ answer to the Ramones, a punk outfit subject to the inflammatory mix of ego, fantasy, and desire that fuels any emerging band.
They’re also, uniquely, made up of musicians, of whom three of the five members have learning disabilities, which makes the band’s survival a precarious negotiation between two different worlds: on the one hand the institutional timetable of day centres, work placements and social workers; on the other the chaotic slacker life of rehearsal rooms, studios and gigs.
Shot over two years when the band record their first album The Queen Mother’s Dead, the film is a comedy of conflicting ambitions capturing the sweat and romance of playing in a band as they move out of the ghetto of disability club nights to test whether their dreams can survive in the mainstream.
The film is released in selected cinemas in the UK this Friday, October 3rd.
To find out more, and to watch a trailer and much more go to www.heavyloadthemovie.com
They’re also, uniquely, made up of musicians, of whom three of the five members have learning disabilities, which makes the band’s survival a precarious negotiation between two different worlds: on the one hand the institutional timetable of day centres, work placements and social workers; on the other the chaotic slacker life of rehearsal rooms, studios and gigs.
Shot over two years when the band record their first album The Queen Mother’s Dead, the film is a comedy of conflicting ambitions capturing the sweat and romance of playing in a band as they move out of the ghetto of disability club nights to test whether their dreams can survive in the mainstream.
The film is released in selected cinemas in the UK this Friday, October 3rd.
To find out more, and to watch a trailer and much more go to www.heavyloadthemovie.com
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
People with learning disabilities help to celebrate Liverpool as 2008 European City of Culture
Here is a press release we put on our website today about people with learning disabilities helping celebrate Liverpool as the European City of Culture:
A group of people with learning disabilities supported by United Response's Oakfield Day Service have put on their dancing shoes to help celebrate Liverpool as the 2008 European City of Culture.
United Response was one of ten community organisations asked to take part in the dance event, which was organised by Liverpool's Empire Theatre.
The build up to the event was intense with eight people supported by United Response attending five workshops with the theatre company throughout June, before starring in the final performance last month.
Anthony Kennedy who took part said: “I enjoyed the acting & dancing it made me feel good and made my family proud.”
Eileen Molloy also took part. She said: “I liked the sound effects, the music and lighting, it was exciting to dance too, it gave me so much confidence to go out in front of an audience”.
Two members of United Response staff also starred in the event. Senior Support Worker, Diane O Leary, said: “We all grew in confidence as the performance went on and the group worked hard for each other, supported each other, and wanted to do it all again!”
Service Manager, Veronica Astor, heads up United Response’s work at the Oakfield Day Service. She said: "We were really pleased to be asked to take part in the dance event. It was a lot of fun and it was great to be able to play our part in the city's celebrations.
"It was also a great opportunity for people to show off their talent. Over the years we have built up strong links with several local groups, making it possible for the people we support to take part in a number of arts projects from creating their own animations to making films about local history. Last year was the tenth anniversary of the Oakfield Service and with the help of the WEA some of the people supported by United Response made a stunning mosaic to celebrate the event.
"These projects and the dance event show just what can be achieved when the community works together to create opportunities for people with learning disabilities."
United Response works with people with learning disabilities throughout the Liverpool area. Working in partnership with other organisations, we provide people with everything from 24 hour care to supporting them to find work and play active role in the community. To find out more about the organisation, and the work they do locally, contact Alexandra Badwi or Mike Crawford on (0151) 4873605.
A group of people with learning disabilities supported by United Response's Oakfield Day Service have put on their dancing shoes to help celebrate Liverpool as the 2008 European City of Culture.
United Response was one of ten community organisations asked to take part in the dance event, which was organised by Liverpool's Empire Theatre.
The build up to the event was intense with eight people supported by United Response attending five workshops with the theatre company throughout June, before starring in the final performance last month.
Anthony Kennedy who took part said: “I enjoyed the acting & dancing it made me feel good and made my family proud.”
Eileen Molloy also took part. She said: “I liked the sound effects, the music and lighting, it was exciting to dance too, it gave me so much confidence to go out in front of an audience”.
Two members of United Response staff also starred in the event. Senior Support Worker, Diane O Leary, said: “We all grew in confidence as the performance went on and the group worked hard for each other, supported each other, and wanted to do it all again!”
Service Manager, Veronica Astor, heads up United Response’s work at the Oakfield Day Service. She said: "We were really pleased to be asked to take part in the dance event. It was a lot of fun and it was great to be able to play our part in the city's celebrations.
"It was also a great opportunity for people to show off their talent. Over the years we have built up strong links with several local groups, making it possible for the people we support to take part in a number of arts projects from creating their own animations to making films about local history. Last year was the tenth anniversary of the Oakfield Service and with the help of the WEA some of the people supported by United Response made a stunning mosaic to celebrate the event.
"These projects and the dance event show just what can be achieved when the community works together to create opportunities for people with learning disabilities."
United Response works with people with learning disabilities throughout the Liverpool area. Working in partnership with other organisations, we provide people with everything from 24 hour care to supporting them to find work and play active role in the community. To find out more about the organisation, and the work they do locally, contact Alexandra Badwi or Mike Crawford on (0151) 4873605.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Response to Independent Inquiry's Health Inequalities report published
Guardian Society has printed a letter from Su Sayer today in response to last week's publication of the Independent Inquiry's report into health inequalities.
United Response has welcomed the report, but is calling for the recommendations to be turned into prompt action. Go to our website to read the press release.
United Response has welcomed the report, but is calling for the recommendations to be turned into prompt action. Go to our website to read the press release.
Friday, 18 July 2008
Boundless - Connecting Artists exhibition
Three artists who are supported by United Response will have their work shown at a London Gallery this summer.
Boundless - Connecting Artists is a exhibition of work from 25 inspiring artists.
Some of the artists have learning disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health needs, or conditions such as Aspergers Syndrome and dyslexia.
The exhibition hopes to introduce the work of these artists at the exhibition which will feature photography, abstract and figurative painting, drawing, digital art and cartoons.
Four leading learning disability organisations are backing Boundless - Connecting Artists (Choice Support, United Response, Regard Partnership and the Skillnet Group). The aim of the event is to celebrate the work of the artists taking part and to show that disability does not get in the way of talent.
The exhibition takes place at the prestigious Bankside Gallery in London from 21st July to 27th July 2008.
Boundless - Connecting Artists is a exhibition of work from 25 inspiring artists.
Some of the artists have learning disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health needs, or conditions such as Aspergers Syndrome and dyslexia.
The exhibition hopes to introduce the work of these artists at the exhibition which will feature photography, abstract and figurative painting, drawing, digital art and cartoons.
Four leading learning disability organisations are backing Boundless - Connecting Artists (Choice Support, United Response, Regard Partnership and the Skillnet Group). The aim of the event is to celebrate the work of the artists taking part and to show that disability does not get in the way of talent.
The exhibition takes place at the prestigious Bankside Gallery in London from 21st July to 27th July 2008.
Monday, 30 June 2008
Channel 4 News report about people with learning disabilities excluded online
Today, we were pleased when Channel 4 news ran a story on its 12 o'clock programme about how people with learning disabilities are often excluded from accessing goods, services and even jobs online. We’d been involved in preparing the report so it was good to see some strong messages incorporated.
The report showed some of the assistive technology some people with learning disabilities used with The Rix Centre. Ultimately, the report made it clear that many people are literally excluded. Some people with learning disabilities were interviewed in order to back this up.
The report went on to say that some things that are really easy such as easy read options or simple technical changes are "often not even considered by government or businesses." The website provides a link to our website too which is good.
Go to the television news piece and online article.
The report showed some of the assistive technology some people with learning disabilities used with The Rix Centre. Ultimately, the report made it clear that many people are literally excluded. Some people with learning disabilities were interviewed in order to back this up.
The report went on to say that some things that are really easy such as easy read options or simple technical changes are "often not even considered by government or businesses." The website provides a link to our website too which is good.
Go to the television news piece and online article.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)