Partners in Policy Making in the Eastern Region

 

The history of the 'Partners in Policymaking' course and related training is described in full on the national UK website www.partnersinpolicymaking.co.uk:

 

'This is an 8 weekend residential course for parents of disabled children and disabled adults.

The Course is made up of eight sessions, each session looks at the things that are important to disabled people and their families.

 

The programme works through all the issues, giving the latest information. This gives disabled people and their families the information and confidence that they need. One important thing is the quality of the speakers; hearing from people who are passionate about social justice.

 

By hearing from the best people, disabled people and parents who come on Partners in Policymaking™ are aware of what is possible, this helps people to dream about having good lives. Learning all of this in a place that is safe, people feel comfortable about asking questions and talking about their experiences. They learn to use a microphone, talk in public and how to have successful meetings.

 

Partners in Policymaking™ shows people how to ask the right questions, and how to present their questions to people who work in services without getting angry and frustrated. Everyone on the course becomes part of a network, so that they don't need to go to meetings or plan alone.'

 

Lynne Elwell - National Partners in Policymaking co-ordinator

 

There have been five 'partners' courses in the Eastern Region since 2004, building on the work of the Family Leadership programme run by Alan and Jan Tyne which ran for 4 years from 2000-2004.

 

The Eastern Region programme takes place in the Holiday Inn in Cambridge and brings together family members and disabled people from Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Peterborough, Essex, Hertfordshire, Southend and Thurrock.

 

The courses, including all hotel costs, are funded by local authority grants

 

The 2010 course runs from January to July.

 

For more information and to get involved in the Eastern Region partners network, contact :

 

Joanne Hough

Partners in Policymaking Co-ordinator (Eastern Region)

The Courtyard

Windhill

Bishops Stortford

Herts

CM23 2ND

01279 504735

joanne@inclusionpartnership.org.uk