Gina and Siraaj supporting the launch of Dudley People's Parliament
Changing Our Lives is launching a new People's Parliament in Dudley on 30th July at Dudley Council Chambers. Both Siraaj and Gina have played an important role leading up to the launch and we are extremely proud of the commitment they have shown.
Siraaj said "We will use the People's Parliament model that we have successfully developed in Sandwell and Wolverhampton. This model trains and supports self-advocates to lead the Parliament and link with key strategic leads from public bodies to hold them to account and improve the employment chances for people with learning disabilities in Dudley. We have worked with this model successfully for 4 years achieving a range of outcomes".
Gina Patel has worked tirelessly to develop the Parliament with Siraaj and has been crucial in the recruitment and training of Members of Parliament (MP's). Gina said "We have met close to 100 local people with learning disabilities, some who have a real passion and motivation, that will with the training will stand out as powerful MP'S. Their commitment to this work will help to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities in their local community".
Gina and Siraaj Dudley help MPs put together the employment White Paper and meet with Job Coaches
Then in the afternoon, we met with two Job Coaches in Dudley called Kay Cartwright and Judith Rumble to tell them about this Parliament. A Job Coach is there to help people with a disability to find a job. We told them about what the Parliament is and who we already met, who we are going to meet and what we have done. We explained the 3 outcomes. One of which was about Job Carving. The Job coaches told us about how they supported people to find a job. They also told us a couple of success stories when they have helped people. As Job carving is one of the targets, the Job Coaches told us about how one of the people they support has being doing a job as a PA in Andrea-Pope Smith's office through Job carving.
They agreed to come to the first People's Parliament meeting to talk about Job carving on the 30th July 2012.
Gina is a powerful young woman who has worked extensively for Changing Our Lives over the last year. Here are just a few of her achievements and current work:
- Take Over Day – Gina shadowed Jan Britton CEO at Sandwell MBC.
- Contributed to the development of Whole of Life and Quality of Health Principles, presenting at our 'All of Me' event.
- Development of the 'Rights for All' BME project.
- Establishing the Dudley & Walsall People's Parliaments.
- Not forgetting the less serious stuff - performing at Spotlight Open Mic!
As being a part of the Scrutiny Panel, I will "youth proof "and examine UK Government policies. I will be advising UK Government Ministers on young people's needs and the impact of Government policies on young people. I will meet with the Government at least three times a year and I will also get an insight into Parliament.
On the 1st of July, I will be going down to London to meet with the other people who will join me on the panel and I will also get trained up. Then on the 2nd July, I will be meeting up with the Government for the first time with the rest of the panel.
The BYC do loads of other work with young people and so do the UKYP.
To find out more about the BYC and its other work. Please visit http://www.byc.org.uk/
To find out more about the UKYP and its other work. Please visit http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/
Gina & Siraaj meet with Darren & Daniel to recruit more MP’s for People’s Parliament in Dudley!
We then explain that in between the big Parliament, there are MP meeting to which the MP's are kept inform with the progress of work done by the professionals. Afterwards, we explained that there would be Select Committees led by MP's who have chosen to specialise in a certain area.
So please watch this space!
Gina talks to students at Halesowen Campus to recruit Dudley MPs
I then talked about the leadership training that Siraaj Nadat and I will deliver as leads of the project to prepare them for Parliament. I talked about my experience as a paid leader and what it has helped me to achieve throughout my time with Changing Our Lives.
Then in the afternoon, I went to the Council House in Dudley to talk to CEO of Dudley Council called John Polychronakis, we were joined by Andrea Pope-Smith, Director for Adults. I told John about the Parliament and all the hard work that Siraaj and I are doing to set up Dudley Peoples Parliament. We talked about how and what I did during Takeover day in November 2011 (in which I took over Jan Britton's job who is the CEO of Sandwell Council).
John agreed to support the work of Dudley People's Parliament by attending the Parliament meetings, extend our network of partners, meet with MP's and support their training through shadowing opportunities to develop their knowledge about how the council works and volunteer for 'Take Over Day' on 23rd November this year with one of our young Dudley MP's!
http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover_day
To find out more of the development of this Dudley's People's Parliament...please watch this space!!
Isabelle Brant (Issy)
Hi everyone my name is Issy. I have been apart of Changing Young Lives, for nearly 2 years. I do lots of things such as co-chair the My Life My Dreams meeting, which is working on the new Whole of Life service. I love keeping the professionals in check, and sometimes I even get to boss them around!.
I am a paid auditor, and I often go out and check services for young people with a range of disabilities and make sure they are getting the best service.
I meet regularly with Barbara Peacock and Helen Smith to tell her what great work we have been doing and keep them updated.
I have been apart of Take Over day, which is when a young person takes over the job of professional. I took over Janine Browns job, who was, at the time, the Joint Director of Partnership and Commissioning. If you want to see what I got up to have a look!!. My Voice21 Article
Gemma Caffrey
Hiya!. My name is Gemma and I am always busy with Changing Young Lives, when I am not a college! I do a lot of the Right Squad training and last year I was really busy training all the year 11 students at Bristnall Hall.
I love training, and take it in my stride even though I had to train 65 teachers at once!.
The feedback I got was full of positive praise!. I also sit on the My Life My Dreams group, and I represent the views of young people in Sandwell. Sometimes professionals use hard words, so I tell them to put that word in the bin!.
I work all across the borough talking about the work that Changing Young Lives does. I was invited to deliver some training about the history of people with learning disabilities at the SENCO meeting last year, and again this year!.
Last year I was nominated for Connexions Young Achiever award, which was apart of the Sandwell Stars Award 2011. I was a runner up.
I have just leant how to independently use the bus, so there is no stopping me now!
Gina Patel
My name is Gina, but I was recently the Chief Executive of Sandwell Council, as part of the Take Over day 2011.
I started work with Changing Young Lives in 2010, when I did my work experience with Changing Our Lives, and have never left!.
I too am apart of the Rights Squad training team, but my skills are best used in audits. I have a really good eye for detail and really enjoy checking to see if the provider is offering young people a good service.
The downside is sometimes I have to audit out in the cold!, like when I audited football club in the evening during the winter!. I sit with Gemma and Sarah on the My Life My Dreams group, and sometimes when Issy is away I co-chair it.
I have joined my peers to present to the council scrutiny panel for young people, and we were so good they invited us to a full parliament meeting. I also have a current leadership role setting up Employment Parliament for people with learning disabilitites in Dudley and Walsall.
I am apart of the young voices network, and I am in charge of the minutes, which I blog on our Facebook page!
Sarah Bentley
I have been with Changing Young Lives for nearly 6 years and I started as one of the original members of young voices.
I love coming to young voices, and being a champion for young peoples rights!. I also love the pizza and quizzes we have!.
We have done lots of work around employment, health, and developed the Whole of Life Standards. Young voices won an award at the 2011 Sandwell Stars Award.
I am apart of the Quality Crew, which is really enjoyed. I especially like it when providers listen to our recommendations and make the changes happen.
I like auditing the services for young people, as I love little children. I sit on the My Life my dreams group meeting.
I really enjoy this meeting, as I feel that professionals listen to me and are working hard to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equal citizens.
Matt Purcell
Hi, my name is matt. The work I do mainly with Changing Young Lives is Young Voices.
I have been apart of young voices for about 5 years now, and really enjoy it. I like especially all the changes that have happened, because of the work young voices has done.
I really love art and design so I enjoyed designing the accessible employment charter, which looked at the rights of young people around paid employment.
I am part of the Rights Squad training team, and last year I trained some students about the history of people with learning disabilities. This is important, as people need to understand what people can achieve today, with the right support.
My work with the quality crew has taken me to after school sport clubs and youth group. I like the audits, even though sometimes they are hard work, people listen to me, and make the changes to improve young peoples lives!!
Samee
Hi I'm Samee and I'm 12 years old. I'm in Year 7 at St. Michael's High School and have been going to Young Voices since 2011. At Young Voices I am meeting so many new people and having lots of fun. In 2011 I was involved in putting together the Whole of Life standards as I believe that everyone should be equal and young people with disabilities should have the same rights as everyone else. Everyone has the right to be supported to speak up for themselves.
In the future I'd like to study to become a computer programmer. I'm good with computers and have the confidence to do it. To do this I will need people to see me first, not my disability.
Colleen Johnson
My name is Colleen and I have been working with Changing Our Lives for 18 months. I have been involved in auditing services to make sure that young people with disabilities have services that are right for them.
I have performed 2 times at Sandwell's Got Talent and in 2010 I won the competition with my group 'Girlz Allowed'. I go to Young Voices meetings and I love Changing Our Lives as it has changed my life by meeting lots of new people, getting the chance to lead on different types of work and getting good support from staff.
In the future I would like to continue going to Young Voices meetings and continue to do paid work with Changing OUr lIves.
Sian
Hi, I am Sian. I have been part of Changing Our LIves for 2 months. As I am a newcomer, I feel this is a great place to socialise with new people and have fun. I am a 16 year old girl. I am a fun, bubbly person who loves a great laugh. I like being part of Young Voives to change the future of children with disabilitites and the way they feel. In the future I would like to become a worker at Changing Our Lives.
Matt Doleman
Hi, I am 14 years old and have recently joined the Young Voices Network. I would recommend Changing Our Lives as I have met new friends and gained confidence in myself. I have recently taken to the stage at Spotlight Open Mic Night with my comedy act.
Shyellla
Hello, my name is Shyella. I have been part of young voices for nearly 2 months now. I think it is important for young people to raise their issues, and have an equal voice.
Danny
My name is Danny, i have just become a new young leader. I have been involved in some work with Changing Our Lives at my school. I love art, especially drawing and consider myself to be very artistic.
Ron SilvesterRon has been part Changing our lives for over 7 years. He is a strong leader and has many skills. Ron is also a part of our training team. |
Robert WhaleRobert is an active MP in Sandwell People's Parliament who owns his own home. Robert is a champion for people with a learning disability owning their own home. |
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Nazia RafiqueNazia is a powerful self advocate and established Sandwell People's Parliament MP committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. |
Steven ProctorSteven is one of the most experienced Quality Auditors. He has audited residential homes, supported living and hospitals. He has spoken about his role as an Expert by Experience at a national conference to over 200 people. |
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Catherine CarringtonCatherine has worked with us since 2008 as a Quality Auditor inspecting residential homes, day services, hospital and mental health services. |
Steven EllisSteven is one of the founder members of Sandwell People's Parliament and has been a Changing Our Lives Leader since 2004. He is always positive and cheerful. |
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Sarah BentleySarah is one of the younger Sandwell MPs and a member of the Young Voices Network, The Rights Squad and The Quality Crew. |
Issy BrantIssy is co-chair of the My Life, My Dreams group in Sandwell. She has trained teams of professionals on learning disability awareness through the Rights Squad and has done a lot of paid work auditing domiciliary care providers in Sandwell with the Quality Crew. |
Matt DolemanMatt is an active member of the Young Voices Network. He is a creative person with real commitment to improving the lives of learning disabled people. |
Roy PuriRoy as been an MP for the People's Parliament for 2 years. Roy has been involved in lots of work led by Changing Our lives. Roy is an active champion of the rights of people with disabilities, and is not afraid to challenge professionals! |
Rickie NichollsRickie has been involved in Changing Young Lives since 2008. He is a member of the Young Voices Network and a quality auditor. An MP since 2009, Rickie has worked on the employment parliament, securing paid work for people with learning disabilities. |
Amanda DaySince 2009 Amanda has been an MP, working on the hate crime campaign, and the employment parliament in 2010. Amanda has been a representative on the Learning Disability Partnership board. |
Linda SuttonLinda has direct experience of out-patient mental health services and is part of the service at Simpson Street. As part of our Making Our Voices Heard work, Linda has audited Edward Street Hospital and Hallam Street Hospital. |
Mark WoodMark has direct experience of in-patient mental health settings in Sandwell and he is a volunteer walk leader for Strides. As part of our Making Our Voices Heard work, Mark leads audits of Edward Street Hospital and Hallam Street Hospital. |
Maxine PriceMaxine, a powerful young woman, has led lots of campaigns to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Her work includes being a member of Young Voices Network and an MP. Maxine has been involved with Changing Our Lives in since 2008. |
Bryn Owen JonesBryn is a Sandwell MP |
Andrew BodenAndrew has recently started working with us a Sandwell MP and is a keen photographer. |
Gemma CaffreyGemma is a strong member of the Young Voices network and supports the My Life, My Dreams group. She has also trained and presented to professionals and recently led the Young People's Forum Day with confidence. She is also a popular regular at our Spotlight Open Mic nights. |
Gina PatelGina is a powerful young woman and has been selected to sit on the National Youth Scrutiny Panel! Part of the Rights Squad training team, she also sits on the My Life My Dreams group, Currently she has a leadership role setting up Employment Parliament for people with learning disabilities in Dudley and Wolverhampton. She is alos working on a BME project called Rights for All. |
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DannyMy name is Danny, I have just become a new young leader. I have been involved in some work with Changing Our Lives at my school. I love art, especially drawing and consider myself to be very artistic. |
ShyellaHello my name is Shyella, i have been a part of young voices for 3 months, I think it is important for young people to raise their issues and have an equal voice. |