Partners In Policymaking Course

Partners In Policymaking Course

Partners in Policymaking Course

(A personal view) by Dee Frost

Ten months ago I passed the interviews and was invited to go on the course for Partners in Policymaking. (Little did I know how it would change my life in so many ways)......

Partners is a course that teaches parents of disabled children, disabled people themselves to have up-to- date information of the policies that affect us, gives people skills and the confidence to speak up for themselves and others, gives you the tools and understanding to be able to work in true partnership with other organisations and professionals, and so much more (read their leaflet).

The course consists of a series of 8 residential training sessions held at a comfortable hotel in Cambridge, with each session there are skill-building opportunities and presentations from speakers from local, national and international levels the majority of whom are disabled themselves or are family carers or P/A’s themselves. The training, accommodation and all the lovely meals are FREE. Partners will pay reasonable support and travel costs as well.
In many ways looked upon as mainly a course covering learning disability, this is not just all what it is about. Its about inclusion for all and one of the biggest things I think it gives is the confidence to be able to get your life working the way you want it to, to have understanding of how things work and how you can help change things. (Over the months you could see how people had grown from timid individuals to people who have become so empowered)
For me, one of the biggest changes was that although I might have quite a bit of knowledge it gave me so much more, and also made me realise to a greater degree how their needs to be an even more huge push for ALL DISABLED PEOPLE whatever their so-called impairment to work as ONE for inclusion, choice, control not for some groups but for ALL of us.

I am not going to say its not hard work because it is, participants on the course must be committed and attend all the sessions for two days a month you really work 12hours a day in a very intensive way but the work is done with laughter and great camaraderie, you also have homework, both done to your utmost ability. But on top of this you get to be with others who become your friends, your supporters in everyway you can think of. And when the hard days work is done. You are part of a great bunch of people who party, socialize and have great evenings together. You can see you are not alone and the friendships that develop are for life, you become one of a fantastic group called Partners, they are always there for you.

Partners for Policymaking graduates are becoming one of the strongest groups that are taken notice of by local authorities and the government AND YOU ARE PART OF IT!!!

Please!!! I urge you think about going on a course

Read the leaflet

Apply

Yes its hard work, but is so WORTH IT

Dee Frost
Co Chair Direct Payment Users Network


The photo’s that accompany this piece show our graduation that was a memorable and brilliant time, I was so lucky as Bob my co-chair came plus my wonderful husband who acted as my P/A for the whole 8 months

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