Involving people we support in the decisions that affect them is central to the way United Response is run.
Made up of people we support, the United Response National User Panel works with trustees and directors to actively shape the way we run the organisation.
Lead by the Inclusion Link Co-ordinator, the members of the panel meet several times a year to discuss all sorts of topics – from relationships and community connections to matching staff to the people we support. These views and opinions are then carried forward to the decision makers of United Response.
As well as meeting as a group, the panel attends our annual general meeting and various local leadership meetings – ensuring their voices are heard organisation-wide. They are also involved in the United Response induction programme, so new employees get to know them straight away.
Panel members make a three-year commitment, for which they are paid. They also control their own, allocated budget.
Ultimately, the National User Panel helps us connect those who make the decisions, with those that they affect most.
For more information, please contact belinda.heaney@unitedresponse.org.uk
