A new Chair, funding awards and strategic planning

The forum met for a two-day session across 10th and 11th July, providing committed and focused time for meaningful conversation, debate and the creation of actions to move United Response forward in the coming weeks and months.

Day 1 – The People’s Fund

Generously supported by The Clothworkers Foundation, the People’s Fund is for people supported by United Response, who apply for funding to create their own projects promoting accessibility and self-led creativity. Its first recipient was Jamie Wilkinson, who used funds to create a Social Cinema project, screening films and hosting film-related activities for people to share their love of cinema and to socialise in an inclusive environment. Watch the video below to find out more:

The People’s Forum assessed lots of applications during the day and proudly awarded over £29,000 of funding for projects including:

  • Creation of a communal garden space
  • An accessible boat trip for wheelchair users
  • Provision of therapeutic equipment to aid mobility/wellness
  • Establishing an art studio from which to start a painting business

Day 2 – A New Chair and Future Planning

United Response’s new CEO, Kate Terroni, met with the forum to introduce herself, answer open questions and talk about her three top priorities – including making United Response the most co-productive organisation in the country. There was lots of great discussion between Kate and the group, including the important topic of Hate Crime, and United Response’s ongoing work to raise awareness and fight to reduce abuse across the UK. Some new ideas spoken about included accessing schools to educate young people about hate crime and the importance of everyone feeling safe to live their life wherever they are.

You can read more about our led-by-lived-experience Hate Crime project here: Journey to Safety – Our Disability Hate Crime Project Year in Review – United Response

The Forum elected its new Chair, which was carried out by vote. We are pleased to announce the new Chair is Ted Wade from York, who will deliver this important role for the next 2 years, replacing Francesca Moss, who has done a brilliant job and who has now become the Forum’s secretary.

The Forum also spent time talking about the development of the new United Response strategy and sharing their views about what is important to them now and in the future. The forum’s feedback plays a key role in the formation of our new plan, alongside the voices of all people we support, their families and our colleagues.

The Forum members will be hosting local People’s Forum Roadshows over the next 3 months, where the people we support and their families are invited to share their views to feed into the strategy.

To learn more about our commitment to being led by lived experience, visit Led by lived experience – United Response