LancasteSept 2010Disability studies11 What is the Big Society? Katherine Runswick-Cole

Introduction My name is Katherine and I work at Manchester Metropolitan University. I am a researcher I work on a project called: Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities and civil society. We want to find out about the lives of disabled people with learning disabilities. 2

3 We are all working together Independent living advisors

What we are doing Talking to people with learning difficulties, their families, friends and allies Spending time with people with learning difficulties in self-advocacy groups, at work and in circles of support 4

Today I want to ask you some questions. And I want to tell you a bit about our project. 5

Big Society Have you heard of Big Society? Do you know what it might mean?  Discuss these questions in your group.  Use the flip charts and pens to share your answers. Ask one person to feedback from your table to the whole group. 6

The government says Big Society is about… Communities doing more for themselves. It is important to volunteer in your community. The government will do less and local and voluntary groups must do more. 7

As part of our research we asked people “what do you think Big Society is?” 8

They said… We are not sure what Big Society is. We think it might be about different communities working better together. We think that Big Society is just another name for funding cuts 9

Big Society and Communities The government says that it is important to be part of your local communities. Which communities do you belong to? – your family, local church, mosque etc, sports club, work, volunteering  Discuss this question in your group.  Use the flip charts and pens to share your answers. Ask one person to feedback from your table to the whole group. 10

People said… We think that some people with learning disabilities are becoming more lonely. We think this is because there are not so many places open for them to meet. We have noticed that services for people with learning difficulties have closed down. 11

But people also told us… People with learning difficulties have got families, friends and jobs. People with learning difficulties are speaking up for themselves. People with learning difficulties are having their say on partnership boards, NHS commissioning groups and on Care Quality Commission Inspections. 12

Changes in your lives? This government came into power in Have you seen any changes in your lives since then? Changes to your jobs, benefits, social care package, advocacy group funding? 13 Discuss this question in your group. Use the flip charts and pens to share your answers. Ask one person to feedback from your table to the whole group.

People said… They are worried about benefit changes They are worried about services changing They are worried about cuts to social care They are worried about cuts to self advocacy funding. 14

Important Messages… If you could send one message to the government need what would it be? 15  Discuss this question in your group.  Use the flip charts and pens to share your answers. Decide on one person to feedback to the whole group.