Drop-in sessions to help shape lives of disabled people in Staffordshire
A series of drop-in sessions are being held across Staffordshire to help shape the lives of disabled and neurodivergent people in the county.
Staffordshire County Council and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) are asking people how they can support them to live independent and fulfilling lives for as long as possible.
So far more than 500 people have completed a survey that ran in December, and now a series of face-to-face sessions are being held to get people’s views.
Their views will be used to inform a new joint Staffordshire Disability and Neurodiversity Strategy.
The strategy will focus on helping disabled or neurodivergent people—whatever their age—live independent and fulfilling lives.
Drop in sessions are taking place over the next six weeks in each one of Staffordshire’s eight districts and boroughs, with the first ones starting on January 18.
People can drop in at any time, and advocates will be present at all events. Sensory professionals will also be present wherever possible.
The sessions are targeted at individuals with lived experience, their carers or family members and also any professional, organisation or employee coming into contact with disabled or neurodivergent people.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Care Julia Jessel said: “The response we have had to our initial survey has been tremendous, and we hope to see as many people as possible during our face-to-face sessions. This really is a great opportunity for people to ensure their views are taken into account when we put together our final strategy.
“We want to put people with disabilities and neurodivergence at the heart of everything we do, enable them to reach their potential and remain independent for as long as they can. By coming to one of our sessions, they can have a direct impact on how we help people in Staffordshire.”
Dr Paul Edmondson Jones, Chief Medical Officer for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, stated: “Being able to deal with people in a face-to-face manner gives us an extra opportunity to capture their views and experiences in a way that is not always possible using the written word.
“Sessions are being held across the county and I would urge as many people as possible to attend.”
More information on the sessions can be found at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Staffsdnplan.