Business Plan

2011 - 2016

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Contents

Summary..................................................................................................3

Background..............................................................................................4

Involving Stakeholders.............................................................................5

Vision, Values and Mission......................................................................6

Activities.................................................................................................12

Marketing...............................................................................................13

Risk Assessment....................................................................................15

Potential Sources of Funding.................................................................17

Action plan.............................................................................................24

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Summary

Disability Equality (nw) is a disabled people’s organisation based in Preston which is run and controlled by disabled people. It currently provides a range of services around information and advice, volunteering and peer support for local disabled people.

This business plan sets out the organisation’s goals over the next five years and how it will achieve them. It has been written following extensive consultation with DENW’s trustees, staff, members and volunteers. The results of this consultation have informed the vision, mission and set of core values which form the basis of the organisation’s strategic plan. The mission is to promote the removal of disabling barriers from society and further the human and civil rights of disabled people. This has been translated into 4 strategic aims:

1. To support individual disabled people to achieve independent living;

2. To facilitate volunteering and peer support opportunities for individual disabled people;

3. To influence the local community, services and other organisations, to remove barriers for disabled people;

4. To continually work to embed good practice in the organisation through further developing excellent governance, robust management and a strong commitment to equality of opportunities.

This plan goes on to identify a number of indicators and activities to further these strategic aims. Amongst these are some ambitious pieces of work including developing both an independent advocacy service and a support planning and brokerage service; identifying and moving to new premises; and developing a community café to further provide volunteering and peer support opportunities.

This plan goes on to cover marketing, identifying who are DENW’s customers, what are the benefits of them coming to DENW, what are the organisation’s key messages and how are these messages to be communicated. Potential risks are identified along with mitigating and recovery actions. Potential sources of funding are identified to support

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each of the key areas of work. Finally the action plan sets out the key things that need to happen in order to implement this plan, who will do them, and by when.

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Background

Disability Equality (nw) is a disabled people’s organisation based in Preston which is run and controlled by disabled people. The organisation was originally called Preston DISC and was started in July 1996. It currently works across the North West, predominantly Lancashire, to remove disabling barriers from society and achieve full and equal human rights for disabled people.

At this time it provides a range of independent living and rights-based support to individual disabled people and organisations:

Advice, information and client liaison Support Groups Volunteer Bureau Peer support Strategic / Policy work 3rd party hate crime reporting centre

In addition, the organisation sells Disability Equality Training to local organisations and provides representation on various statutory decision-making boards and panels. For the past three years it has had funding to run a capacity building project to support disabled people’s organisations in Lancashire, Cumbria, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.

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Involving Stakeholders

Difference Matters Ltd was asked by Disability Equality (nw) to write their strategic plan and business plan for 2011-16. They began by conducting a consultation in late 2010 with its members, volunteers, trustees and staff on the future direction of the organisation. Additional consultation meetings with staff were held and a mapping exercise was conducted on services in Lancashire which support independent living. Please see the appendices at the end of this document for more information.

Finally a stakeholder event was held where staff, members, volunteers and trustees got the opportunity to comment on the draft strategic plan. Many of these suggestions were then incorporated. Some issues such as those around employment, access and transport couldn’t be specifically addressed here, as an organisation with limited resources such as DENW can only do so much and it is important that this strategy is practical and achievable. However these issues will come under the strategic aim of supporting individual disabled people to access the 12 basic rights for independent living. In addition, specific work around disability hate crime and educating school children on disability issues was suggested at this event and not specifically included for the same reasons, but could be partially addressed under the strategic aim of influencing the local community.

The results of this work have informed the vision, mission and set of core values which form the basis of the organisation’s strategic plan for the next five years.

This strategy then formed the basis of a five year business plan.

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Vision, Values and Mission

Our vision is a society in which all people – regardless of impairment - are valued, live full family, social and economic lives and can access and actively take part in their local communities.

Our Core Values

a) Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Social JusticeDisability Equality (nw) is committed to embracing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity. We will not tolerate discrimination on grounds of gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, nationality, religion, age, impairment, HIV status, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs – or any other grounds. We are determined to ensure that:

we treat all individuals fairly, with dignity and respect; we accept people for who they are; the opportunities we provide are open to all; we provide a safe, supportive and welcoming environment; we promote and campaign for social justice.

b) The Social Model of DisabilityDisability Equality (nw) actively promotes the Social Model of Disability in everything it does. This defines 'impairment' and 'disability' as follows:

Impairment is the loss or limitation of physical, mental or sensory function on a long-term or permanent basis.

Disability is the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the normal life of the community on an equal level with others due to physical and social barriers.

Therefore disability is not a medical problem but rather a social issue - the result of society being organised to meet the needs of the majority of people who do not have significant impairments. It is a type of oppression, similar to sexism and racism.

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c) The Principles of Independent LivingDisability Equality (nw) interprets “independence” as disabled people having control over how support is provided, who provides it and when. This means having the same choice, control and freedom as other citizens in all areas of life.

Disabled people’s organisations have identified twelve basic rights which, if met, would enable disabled people to live independently and be fully included. These are:

Full access to our environment. A fully accessible transport system. Technical aids – equipment Accessible/adapted housing Personal assistance Inclusive education and training An adequate income Equal opportunities for employment Appropriate and accessible information Advocacy (towards self-advocacy) Peer support Appropriate and accessible heath care provision

d) The Importance of Volunteering and Peer SupportDisability Equality (nw) is dedicated to providing volunteering and peer support opportunities for disabled people. In doing so, we recognise that the people who know best the needs of disabled people and how to meet those needs are disabled people themselves. Therefore part of our role must be to ensure that local disabled people have a voice and are listened to.

e) The Role of Young Disabled PeopleDisability Equality (nw) is committed to working with young disabled people and including them in all aspects of its work. We recognise that young disabled people have a unique voice, often having had different experiences. We also recognise that young disabled people are vital to the future of our organisation.

f) Person-Centred ApproachDisability Equality (nw) is dedicated to a person-centred approach to delivering services and support. This means that the needs and wishes

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of the individual are prioritised and met. All of our services and support is underpinned by the principles of the Social Model of Disability.

Our Mission

Our organisation’s mission is to promote the removal of disabling barriers from society and further the human and civil rights of disabled people.

This mission has been translated into 4 strategic aims:

Aim 1: To support individual disabled people to achieve independent living.

Activities and indicators we will use:

i. Develop accessible publicity materials in order to inform more local disabled people about independent living and their rights.

ii. Develop and expand the information and advice service to cover each of the 12 basic rights for independent living.

iii. Develop an independent, one-to-one support/advocacy service around all of the different aspects of independent living open to all disabled people.

iv. Develop a holistic, independent support planning and brokerage service to support disabled people to access a wide range of support from different funders. This service could be paid for by individuals out of their personal budgets; however some development funding may be necessary.

v. Work to ensure that young disabled people are included in all areas of DENW’s activities, including supporting young disabled people during ‘transition’ to achieve independent living.

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Aim 2: To facilitate volunteering and peer support opportunities for individual disabled people.

Activities and indicators we will use:

i. Explore the potential of moving to a more prominent, accessible, high quality base through identifying a possible building, considering ownership versus renting (including potential asset transfer) and identifying potential funding sources (including renovation and/or purchase of a building).

ii. Explore the potential for a trading arm / social enterprise, particularly a self-sustaining community café to provide local disabled people with a place for to meet and socialise plus peer support and volunteering opportunities.

iii. Further develop our buddy scheme to support local disabled people around the 12 basic rights of independent living.

iv. Further develop our range of peer support groups for local disabled people, exploring the potential for a disabled parents’ group, a campaigning group, a young disabled people’s group and the current disabled people’s group organising activities and events.

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Aim 3: To influence the local community, services and other organisations to remove barriers for disabled people.

Activities and indicators we will use:

i. Identify areas of social injustice and gaps in current provision.

ii. Develop and consult on a set of position statements which clearly set out the stance taken by the organisation on key issues affecting local disabled people.

iii. Recruit and train a number of disabled people to attend strategic boards and partnerships and influence decision making.

iv. Continuously update and develop our disability equality training with a view to training local employers, public bodies and other organisations.

v. Campaign on issues identified by the membership which adversely affect local disabled people.

vi. Continue and further develop the regional and national strategic / policy / rights work to better inform our campaigns and decision makers.

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Aim 4: To continually work to embed good practice in the organisation through further developing excellent governance, robust management and a strong commitment to equality of opportunities.

Activities and indicators we will use:

i. The skills base of the board should be reviewed, developed and extended where necessary.

ii. Ensure the board and staff team take account of the views and needs of diverse groups.

iii. Equality Impact Assessments should be carried out on all of the organisation’s activities.

iv. Equality champions from the board and the staff team should be identified, trained and supported.

v. An equality and diversity group should be established within the membership / volunteers.

vi. There should be transparent and honest reporting to its membership about the organisation’s activities.

vii. Work to create more employment opportunities for disabled people within the organisation, exploring flexible working arrangements such as flexitime, working from home and sessional work.

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Activities

Currently DENW provides a range of independent living and rights-based support to individual disabled people and organisations:

Advice, information and client liaison

Support Groups

Volunteer Bureau/buddy scheme

Peer support

Strategic / Policy work

3rd party hate crime reporting centre

Disability Equality Training

Representation on various statutory decision-making boards and panels.

Proposed additional activities to be developed over the 5 years:

An independent advocacy service

A support planning and brokerage service

A community café

Move to new premises

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Marketing

a) Our customers are:

Mainly disabled people living in Lancashire and the surrounding area.

Also disabled people in the North West, although they may not be able to access some of the services due to funding restrictions.

Family carers?

Local organisations.

National organisations and Government departments (to support disabled people in the North West).

Some disabled people who may not necessarily think of themselves as disabled.

Disabled offenders.

b) The benefits of coming to DENW are:

Information, advice and help around applying for / keeping state benefits and other entitlements.

Peer support from people in similar situations

Opportunities to socialise and make new friends

Opportunities to acquire new skills through volunteering and training

Opportunities to report instances of hate crime in a supportive environment

Opportunities to campaign and feel like you are making a difference

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Independent advocacy to help sort out a particular problem

Support with independent living

Support with personal budgets

Up to date information on Disability and Human Rights Legislation

Support to challenge discrimination and bad practice

c) The key messages we need to give customers are:

Disabled people are best at helping other disabled people to live independently

Volunteering enables you to learn new skills

DENW can help sort out problems with state benefits and give advice about independent living.

People are disabled by barriers created by our society.

Independent living means having choice and control over your life.

Nothing about us, without us

d) The ways in which we will get these messages across are:

Face-to-face communication with customers

Over the phone

Regular newsletters (both paper and electronic)

Website

Social media – Facebook and Twitter

Banner outside the premises

Information leaflets

Local press15

Word of mouth/peer support through our staff, volunteers and Trustees

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Risk Assessment

Description Probability Mitigation Recovery

Can’t raise enough funding to purchase new building

Medium Apply to a diverse range of funders Explore rental options – look for more suitable premises to rent.

Core funding is reduced by local authority

Medium Continue to develop relationship with local authority and provide support (i.e. co-production, EIAs, etc)

Diversify funders so that the organisation is not too reliant on one funder.

Downsize.

Explore funding opportunities with GP Commissioning Clusters and other funders.

Board lack the skills and the experience to oversee and manage organisational development

Medium Advertise and headhunt new board members. Audit skills and put training in place.

Continue to advertise for and headhunt new board members.

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Funding for existing services cannot be renewed

Medium Develop good relationships and identify possible alternative funders.

Temporarily close these services whilst alternative funding is identified.

Can’t identify suitable premises

Low Approach local authority and other local organisations for possible premises

Continue to look for suitable premises.

Chief executive leaves post

Low Strengthen board. Head-hunt new chief exec

Café doesn’t generate enough income to self-sustain

Medium-High Robust business plan and income / outgoings projections.

Explore funding around volunteering and employment opportunities in the café.

Advertise the café.

Revise income / outgoings projections.

Research what customers like / dislike.

Development happens at a slower pace

Medium Revise plan accordingly Revise plan accordingly

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Potential Sources of Funding

Funder Amount Deadlines Project / Area of work

Notes

Big Lottery – Reaching Communities buildings

£100k - £500k for large capital projects

On-going New building / community café

Every project must: Respond to need Involve people who will benefit from the project in

planning and running it Achieve one or more of the following:

1. People having better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills2. Stronger communities, with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems3. Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy4. Healthier and more active people and communities.

DENW is situated in a geographical area which is eligible.http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities

Henry Smith Charity – Capital Grant

Recent grants up to

On-going New building / community café

Will fund both purchase and renovation of a building.http://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/capital.html

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£250kHenry Smith Charity – Revenue Grant

£10k p.a. up to 3 years

On-going Advocacy or brokerage project

Core work or project workhttp://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/main-grants-programme.html

Awards for All Up to £10k

On-going Training for DENW reps / Produce accessible info on IL?

Must meet one or more of the following outcomes:

■People have better chances in life - with better access to training and development to improve their life skills.■Stronger communities - with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems.■Improved rural and urban environments - which communities are better able to access and enjoy.■Healthier and more active people and communitieshttp://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/summary.html

Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards

£500-£4k

2 rounds – March and September

Training for DENW reps / accessible info on IL?

Funds work with disabled children and adults.http://www.tescoplc.com/corporate-responsibility/our-community-promises/actively-supporting-local-communities/tesco-charity-trust/

Lloyds TSB Foundation

No max On-going Advocacy service / brokerage / DENW reps / core

Their Community programme focuses on funding core work that helps disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community. They are particularly interested in:

Improved social and community involvement Improved life choices and chances Helping people to be heard

http://www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk

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Esmee Fairburn Foundation (main grant)

Average 2010 grant was £79k

On-going Brokerage service

Funds work that is “enabling disadvantaged people to participate fully in society”. Prioritises work that:

Addresses a significant gap in provision Develops or strengthens good practice Challenges convention or takes a risk in order to

address a difficult issue Tests out new ideas or practices Takes an enterprising approach to achieving its aims Sets out to influence policy or change behaviour

more widely.Maybe the innovative aspect of the brokerage project would interest them? Worth doing the 1st stage form.http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk

The Platinum Trust

No info No info Advocacy / brokerage

No website and very little info available.Specifically set up to fund orgs working with disabled people.A number of DPOs have had funding in the past.Address: Sedley Richard Laurence Voulters 89 New Bond Street London W1S 1DA

Tel: 0207 079 8814

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Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust

No limit but would try for under £5k

Quarterly – see website

Campaigns group – possibly a campaign on care eligibility

Fund political campaigns in the UK to promote democratic reform, civil liberties and social justice.

Historically haven’t funded DPOs but don’t see why not – need to frame in terms of social justice.http://www.jrrt.org.uk

Tudor Trust Recent grants up to £120k

Anytime – send 1st stage proposal

Young people’s group / outreach with Young People

“…particularly want to help smaller, community-led organisations which work directly with people who are at the margins of society: organisations which support positive changes in people’s lives and in their communities.”Core and project funding up to 3 years max.Not much disability work funded, but lots of youth work and some work around advocacy and community care. http://tudortrust.org.uk

The Co-operative Membership Community Fund

Up to £2k

Anytime Training for DENW reps / accessible info on IL? / campaigns or other groups

To be successful, a group must: Carry out positive work in the community

and a project must: address a community issue provide a good long-term benefit to the community support co-operative values and principles ideally be innovative in its approach.

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Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund National Grant Scheme 2012

Up to £200k per year for 3 years

Must register before 21 December 2011

First stage applications: 7th November-18 January 12.

Second stage applications:12 March 2012 - 16 April 2012

Joint project

Projects can apply for up to £200,000 per annum for a maximum of 3 years to support four key priority areas including:

Personalisation and choice of care and support Delivering better health and care outcomes Improving public health Improving health and social care.

Would need to identify other partners.

To be able to apply projects must decide which Strategic Health Authority Cluster (SHA Cluster) they wish to deliver in and decide how the project will run in at least four delivery locations which are in different Local Authorities across in their chosen SHA Cluster.

http://www.volunteeringfund.com/news/health-and-social-care-volunteering-fund-national-grant-scheme-2012-and-partner-search-portal-o

Cash for Kids - Lancashire

No limit First Monday in April and October each year.

Young people’s group / outreach with YP

Funding specifically for work with young disabled people in Lancashire – looks quite patronising though! http://www.rockfm.co.uk/charity/

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Cumberland Building Society Charitable Foundation Grant

Up to £1k per year up to 3 years

Anytime Young people’s group / other groups

Fund self-help groups working with young people and disabled people. Preston is an eligible area.

http://www.cumberland.co.uk/about/community/charitable-foundation/introduction

Local Initiatives Fund

Varied Currently closed - will open soon

Work that fits with the county council’s key objectives.

Funding from Lancashire County Council:

http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/view.asp?siteid=3851&pageid=24200&e=e

Central Gateway Grants

Varied Currently closed - will open soon

Work that fits with the county council’s key objectives.

Funding from Lancashire County Council:

http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/view.asp?siteid=3851&pageid=24200&e=e

Carers Grant £2k-£15k

Deadline 20 January.

Information and advice service for family carers?

Funding from Lancashire County Council:

http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/view.asp?siteid=3851&pageid=24200&e=e

The Oglesby Charitable Trust

£5k-£20k

Anytime Training for DENW reps / vols

Keen on “Improving the life chances of the underprivileged, particularly through encouragement of self-help.” Also keen on work based in the north-west.http://www.oglesbycharitabletrust.co.uk/

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Westminster Foundation

£1k-£25k

Quarterly – deadline for submissions for 2012 are: 5 January, 26 April and 4 September

Advocacy service / brokerage / DENW reps / core

Key funding categories include social care – need to focus bid towards this. Lancashire is an eligible area.

http://www.grosvenorestate.com/Charity/The+Westminster+Foundation.htm

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Action plan

Strategic Aim 1: To support individual disabled people to achieve independent living.What needs to be done

Why it needs to be done

Resources required

How it is to be done Lead person and others involved

When by?

1.1 Develop accessible publicity materials in order to inform more local disabled people about independent living and their rights.

To better inform local disabled people of their rights

Funding, Information, Service Manager’s time

Identify and apply for funding for accessible publicity material on rights and independent living

Mel Close & Mark Buckley

Apr 12

Consult members to identify key areas and formats to be covered by IL accessible publicity material

Mark Buckley Oct 12

Produce IL accessible publicity material

Mark Buckley Apr 13

Widely distribute IL accessible publicity material

Mark Buckley Oct 13

1.2 Develop and expand the information and advice service to cover each of the 12 basic rights for

To enable DENW to better signpost users to existing

Service Manager’s time

Develop a database based on the IL mapping done as part of the consultation

Mark Buckley Dec 12

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independent living. support available

exercise.

Train volunteer info and advice workers on how to access the database.

Mark Buckley Dec 13

1.3 Develop an independent, one-to-one support/advocacy/client liason service around all of the different aspects of independent living open to all disabled people.

To enable local disabled people to access advocacy support around any aspect of their lives.

Chief Exec’s and board’s time

Funding

Identify and secure funding

Provide evidence

Mel Close

Mark Buckley

Oct 13

Oct 13

Set up a recruitment panel. Draw up job description and person specification for Support Broker, advertise, interview and appoint.

Mel Close, board members

Dec 13

Establish project – write policies.

Advocacy Service Manager

Joe Cobb

Apr 14

Recruit and train volunteer advocates.

Advocacy Service

Nov 14

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Manager

Advertise advocacy service to attract new clients.

Advocacy Service Manager

Jan 15

1.4 Develop a holistic, independent support planning and brokerage service to support disabled people to access a wide range of support from different funders.

To enable local disabled people to access independent brokerage

Chief Exec’s and board’s time

Funding

Identify and secure initial development funding (for one year?)

Evidence of need

Mel Close

Mark Buckley

Oct 13

Oct 13

Establish project – write policies.

Support Broker

Apr 14

Advertise brokerage and support planning service to attract new clients.

Support Broker

May 14

Evaluate whether service can continue funded by individuals.

Mel Close, Support Broker

Mar 15

1.5 Work to ensure that young disabled people are included at every level/service

To reach out to the next generation of DENW

Staff time, meeting space

Secure fundingEstablish a need for a young people’s group/forum

Mel CloseHelen Jenkins

Mar 15

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membersProject staff

Ensure that meetings and events are at times when young people can access them and have a suitable format

Project staff Apr 12

Outreach work in local special schools?

Project staff and volunteers

On-going

Increase the numbers of disabled people accessing existing Sport & leisure activities.

To better inform DP and address current lack of knowledge around available activities

Staff time Referral process, Publicity, Mapping of activities.

Helen Jenkins

July 13

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Strategic Aim 2: To facilitate volunteering and peer support opportunities for individual disabled people.What needs to be done

Why it needs to be done

Resources required

How it is to be done Lead person and others involved

When by?

2.12.2

Explore the potential of moving to a more prominent, accessible, high quality base and a self-sustaining community café

To find more suitable premises so that DENW can expand

Chief Executive’s time, Trustees Premises sub-group, board, funding

Approach local authority to identify potential premises - explore potential asset transfer / sources of funding.

Mel Close Jan ‘12

Identify partner organisations (n.b. Big Lottery will want the building used by )Evidence of need and potential use

Mel Close

All staff

Mar ‘12

Prepare and submit a short outline proposal to the Big Lottery – Reaching Communities buildings fund

Mel Close, premises sub-group

Apr ‘12

Get result of initial proposal May

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‘12If successful, prepare and submit stage 2 application form to the Big Lottery

Mel Close, premises sub-group

Aug ‘12

Get result of stage 2 application

Dec ‘12

If successful, engage external consultant to produce: project business plan capital project delivery

plan evidence that your project

has completed RIBA work stage E.

Consultant

Mel CloseTrustees

All staff

Dec ‘12

Prepare and submit stage 3 application form to the Big Lottery

Mel Close, premises sub-group

Jun ‘13

Get result of stage 3 application

Sep ‘12

Building work commences All staff Oct ‘12

Recruit staff Mel Close Trustees

Jan ‘13

Building work finishes and DENW moves to new premises

All staff, Trustees, volunteers

Apr ‘13

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2.3 Further develop our buddy scheme

To support local disabled people around the 12 basic rights of independent living.

Evidence of need

Apply for funding

Joe Cobb

Mel Close

2.4 Further develop the peer support groups

To enable a wider range of local disabled people support one another

Staff time, meeting space

Support the current disabled people’s network and Chorley & S Ribble forum with organising activities and events.

Mel CloseSuzie JonesSessional staff

Apr ‘12

Explore interest for setting up a disabled parents’ group and arrange a meeting.

Volunteer Co-ordinator?

Oct ‘12

2.5 Further develop work in Chorley and South Ribble

To improve services and support for DP in CSR.

Staff time, meeting space, access costs.

Planning meeting with forum, increase membership, secure funding.

Suzie Jones

Sept 12.

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Strategic Aim 3: To influence the local community, services and other organisations to remove barriers for disabled people.What needs to be done

Why it needs to be done

Resources required

How it is to be done Lead person and others involved

When

3.1Identify areas of social injustice and gaps in current provision.

To monitor areas of work that DENW needs to address.

Staff time Set up system to monitor the issues that people come to the information and advice service with.

Mark BuckleyHelen Jenkins,Joe CobbSuzie JonesMel Close

Jan 12

Every 6 months produce a report identifying current trends in cases.

Mark Buckley Jun 12 onwards

3.2Develop and consult on a set of position statements which clearly set out the stance taken by the organisation on key issues affecting local disabled people.

To ensure that DENW puts across a consistent message

Staff time, meeting venue

Identify topics that need to be covered (also using the trends identified by monitoring)

Board and Mel CloseLiz Tye

Jun 12

Write the position statements

Board, Mel Close and Liz

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Tye.Hold an event to consult with the wider membership

Board, Mel Close, Liz Tye

Sep 12

3.3Recruit and train a number of disabled people to attend strategic boards and partnerships and influence decision making.

To ensure that DENW’s representatives put across a consistent message

Staff time, training venue, training resources

Identify a group of people to be reps

Joe Cobb Dec ‘11

Identify funder and submit small bid for reps’ training?

Joe Cobb Jan ‘12

Deliver training to DENW reps

Joe Cobb, volunteers

Apr ‘12

Reps take up positions on local committees

DENW reps/volunteers

Jun ‘12

3.4Continuously update and develop our disability equality training with a view to training local employers, public bodies and other organisations.

To keep DET up-to-date

Staff and trainers time

Annual review of training material

Mark Buckley + DENW trainers

Apr ‘12 Apr ‘13 Apr ‘14 Apr ‘15

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3.5Campaign on issues identified by the membership which adversely affect local disabled people.

To influence and change society

Staff and volunteers time

Explore interest amongst the membership for a campaigns group.

Mel Close and Board

Dec ‘11

Arrange a series of meeting dates and a venue for the campaigns group.

Joe Cobb Jan ‘12

3.6Continue and further develop the regional and national strategic / policy / rights work.

To better inform our campaigns and decision makers.

Staff and board time

Continue to engage with regional and national networks

Mel Close On-going

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Strategic Aim 4: To continually work to embed good practice in the organisation through further developing excellent governance, robust management and a strong commitment to equality of opportunities.What needs to be done Why it needs

to be doneResources required

How it is to be done Lead person and others involved

When

4.1The skills base of the board should be reviewed, developed and extended where necessary.

To ensure DENW has a board with the necessary skills to take the organisation forward

Board and staff time

Conduct a skills audit of the current board to identify gaps

Chair plus board

Jan 12

Advertise for new board members (think about area – Preston, Lancs or even North West?)

Chair SecretaryLiz Tye

Feb 12

Identify potential new board members with the missing skills

Joe CobbLiz Tye

Mar 12

Induction and training for new board members

Current board plus DENW trainers

Apr 12

Welcome and Liz Tye Apr 12

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Information Pack for new members

4.2 Ensure the board and staff team take account of the views and needs of diverse groups

This would be achieved through actions 4.3 to 4.5

4.3Equality Impact Assessments should be carried out on all of the organisation’s activities.

To ensure that all of DENWs activities do not negatively impact upon any of the groups covered by the equality act 2010

Staff time Design an equality impact assessment template

Mel Close Jan 12

Ensure that all of DENW’s existing services and activities are assessed

Mark Buckley, Joe Cobb, Helen Jenkins, Liz Tye, Suzie Jones plus equality and diversity sub-group

Mar 12

Take corrective action to address

Mark Buckley, Joe Cobb,

Apr 12

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inequalities identified by the assessments

Helen Jenkins, Suzie Jones, Liz Tye. plus equality and diversity sub-group

Conduct assessment s for all new activities and services

All staff plus equality and diversity sub-group

On-going

4.4Equality champions from the board and the staff team should be identified, trained and supported.

To act as leaders for diversity and equality, acting as role models, taking actions when appropriate and addressing behaviours when necessary

Staff time Identify one staff member and one board member to be equality champions

Staff and board

May 12

Identify specific training for the equality champions

Equality champions

Apr 12

38

4.5An equality and diversity sub-group should be established within the membership / volunteers.

To take responsibility for monitoring equality impact assessments and ensuring that they are acted upon

Staff time, volunteers and members time

Identify members for the sub-group (the equality champions will co-chair the group)

Equality champions, staff, volunteers, members

Oct12

Quarterly meetings Equality champions, staff, volunteers, members

On-going

4.6 There should be transparent and honest reporting to its membership about the organisation’s activities.

To keep the membership informed and involved

Board member’s time

Identify a board member who will take responsibility for writing regular updates on DENW’s activities and board decisions for DENW’s website and newsletter.

Secretary Jan12 on-going

39

4.7 Work to create more employment opportunities for disabled people within the organisation.

To make it easier for disabled people to work for DENW

Staff time Identify board and staff members for a HR sub-group

BoardMC

Apr 12

Develop policies on access to work, reasonable adjustments in the workplace, flexitime, working from home and sessional work

BoardMC

Apr 13

40