Mp3 newsletter for you to download and listen to

Reviewing and updating NCODP’s identity

It has been clear for some time now that NCODP’s name and identity can sometimes be a barrier for people when approaching our organisation and working with us. Some people may face disabling barriers in their lives and may want to use our services, or join us in our campaigns, yet they do not consider themselves to be disabled people. Others find it quite confusing that different parts of our organisation have different names and identities and it isn’t always clear how it all links together.

Going forward, the Trustees have agreed that we need to get a better understanding of how people see us and how our identity can be more approachable and inclusive. Hopefully then, more people can work with us and can benefit from our services. We think it is especially important to do this now as it will better support us to deliver on our new strategic aims, which will take the organisation forward over the next three years. It will also support us to attract new members and partners and promote a stronger collective voice for people who face disabling barriers.

This will not be an easy exercise, as the organisation has built up its current identity over many years, but it is about keeping everything that works and improving anything that doesn’t. For example, our same values and principles will remain as strong as ever, but this is about making them clearer and ensuring they run through all that we do and everything we touch. It is also about making sure our organisation remains relevant and as strong as possible for the future.

In order to carry out this exercise we have brought in someone from outside the organisation to help us carry out the work and keep us on the right path. His name is David Elverson and he works for Change Consultancy who are also based on the site at Framingham Pigot. David has been working with us to set up opportunities for everyone involved in the work of NCODP to have a say about its identity and what is needed going forward. We will look to get the views of service users, members, staff, volunteers, trustees and partners. We are aiming to complete this piece of work by June this year.

There will be different ways that you can get involved and help shape this piece of work and we do hope that you take up the opportunity to do so.

These are some of the ways for you to have your say:

• Follow the link below to fill in our Survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NCODPmembers

If you require the Survey in an alternative format then please let us know.

• Come along to the Member Group Focus Group meeting on Thursday 15th March 2012, 1-4pm, NCODP Training Centre
• Or to our Members event on Friday 4th May 2012 Time and Venue to be confirmed.

Expenses will be paid for these events.

If you have any queries about this do speak to us, or to Claire Abbs who will be organising this piece of work.

New Groups for West Norfolk

After discussions at a recent NCODP “Livability” event in Kings Lynn, West Norfolk Self-advocacy Project and West Norfolk Mencap have got together to explore the development of a new group.

The group welcomes anyone with a Learning Difficulty/Disability to join them at their meetings in Downham Market.

The first informal meeting was held on January 11th at:

Bluebells Florist, the Old Hall, 47 Priory Road, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9UJ

This first meeting was well attended and gave people the opportunity to:

• Say what they would like to see in Downham Market
• Seek advice and support
• Make new friends

Future meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of the month starting at 2pm, and anyone interested in finding out more or in attending the next meeting should contact:

David Richards: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 0776 985 5712

Vicki Howling: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 01553 776154

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

A new peer support group led by people with FMS began last month in West Norfolk.

The group which aims to be very pro active in raising awareness of FMS would welcome new members at their next meeting on: 6th March 2012 at 11am - 1pm

At: Hillington Square Community Centre, Hillington Square. Kings Lynn. PE30 5HS.

For further information please contact: 078414 71326

Disabled People Fight Back Against Hate Crime in Norfolk

NCODP have been successful in their application for a grant to run a project around disability hate crime in Norfolk. Through various events and forums we have been hearing stories about disability-related harassment and also about how disempowered disabled people feel in terms of challenging or reporting these incidents.

“At school I was called … spastic, stupid thicko... [it] made me so miserable I refused to go to school. … I hated school because of the bullying”

“I was bullied at work because I didn't always get it right they refused to give me any work. I went off sick in the end with depression and anxiety issues. It took me months before I could face the world again.”

Many people talk about this kind of abuse as though it is to be accepted as part of their life as a disabled person but this should not be the case. In some cases in Norfolk this name calling/discrimination has led to physical attacks.

We support Norfolk County Council’s Campaign against hate crime, but in our project disabled people themselves can take control and are considered a key part of the solution. We are keen to work with disabled people to develop them as campaigners against disability hate crime, as we are best placed to reach into communities and speak to other disabled people on a peer to peer basis. We are also best placed to show how disabled people can take control and can empower themselves to take action for change.

In Norfolk in 2009 there were a total of 426 hate crimes reported to police, 75 of which were disability related[1], but Norfolk Police consider hate crimes to still be significantly under-reported by about 75%. With this project we hope this will change.

The main aims of the project are:

• To enable disabled people to recognise and report hate crime
• To encourage and enable disabled people to become part of the solution to hate crime
• To recruit, train, and support a network of disabled people across Norfolk, to be disability hate crime Campaigners
• To deliver awareness raising sessions to disabled people and their communities
• To support disabled people to form a user-led disability hate crime group for Norfolk
• To support disabled people to be an active part of restorative justice panels in Norfolk

Although this project only runs until April 2013, it is hoped that by setting up a user led group for disability hate crime and a framework and programme for further action, the outcomes of the project can continue to be achieved for a long time after.

To find out more or to get involved please contact Hazel on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (01508) 491210

[1] Total of recorded hate crime from regional forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during the calendar year 2009 http://www.acpo.police.uk/asp/policies/Data/084a_Recorded_Hate_Crime_-_January_to_December_2009.pdf

Office of Disability Issues - Fulfilling Potential Discussion.

The Office of Disability Issues has contacted NCODP about a consultation they are undertaking with disabled people around the country. The discussion document is called Fulfilling Potential and specifically asks people to look at 3 areas of their lives;

• Raising aspirations
• Individual control
• Changing attitudes and behaviours

This is your opportunity to feed in to Government policy

How to take part

You can download the discussion document here and find out more information on the Office of Disability website. You can submit answers to the discussion questions using an online form, by email or by post.

http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/odi-projects/fulfilling-potential.php

If you prefer you can use the questions that NCODP have developed which are available:

Fulfilling Potential Questionairre

Please send them back to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Biz-ability News

Governance and committee roles workshop

On 20th January Aliona Laker delivered an excellent workshop covering all aspects of “Governance and Committee Roles” to the Biz-ability Workshop participants.

Whether setting up a new group/business or introducing new people to the board, the roles of committee members can be a daunting prospect.

Existing and emerging groups and organisations found the range of information and knowledge available, combined with Aliona’s patient, articulate and fun delivery just what they needed.

“excellent trainer. Demystified terms that people can find frightening”

“very well presented and related to my needs and expectations of the course appropriately. Thank you”

This was the final workshop in the current Biz-ability Programme.

We are currently awaiting the outcomes of recent funding applications, and hope to continue with further workshops in the near future.

In the meantime keep up to date by visiting: www.biz-ability.org.uk

If you have any ideas for future workshops that would assist in the development of your group/business then we would like to hear your thoughts.

Either leave these on the blogg on the website or send them to:

Penny Parker: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /01508 491576 or Hazel Simons: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /01508 491210.

Last newsletter to Service Users

This edition of the NCODP newsletter is the last one that we will automatically be sending out to our Service Users. The Newsletter will continue to come out quarterly as usual with all the campaign, events and stories but after this edition it will only be received by those people that are registered as Members of NCODP.

Independent Living Norfolk is planning to produce a Newsletter that will inform and update people around their Service.

But if you would like to continue to receive the NCODP Newsletter and are not currently a member or are not sure if you are, then please contact:

Penny Parker, 01508 491576 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for an application form.

Membership is entirely FREE and will keep you up to date with news, events, new member groups, campaigns, workshops etc.

Alternatively please find Membership Application Forms on our Website: www.ncodp.org.uk