Government announces £3m extra for disabled people’s organisations
The Government announces an extra £3m for disabled people’s grassroots organisations to better deliver services disabled people really need.
The Government is announcing today an extra £3m for disabled people’s grassroots organisations to better deliver services disabled people really need.
User-led organisations (ULOs) will be able to bid for the extra money from July and Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller, is also appealing for ‘ambassadors’ to share best practise across the country.
Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller said:
Disabled people should have choice and independence in how they live their lives. Organisations run by, and for, disabled people play a vital role in making sure they have their voices heard at every level.
Grassroots organisations are the experts in their local communities. That is why we are investing £3million to help these organisations play an even greater role in shaping the decisions that will affect their lives.
We are looking for ambassadors in each region to promote disabled people’s organisations and share their skills and experience to help local organisations to become even more successful.
The Minister is also appealing for talented individuals from private businesses, voluntary organisations and other charities to support the scheme by sharing their skills and expertise in areas such as HR, business planning, financial management and IT.
As part of the scheme, user-led organisations will be able to bid for a share of money for specific projects that will make a significant difference to their development and sustainability. The fund will be discretionary and ULOs will have a say in how it will be administered and what the criteria for receiving a grant will be.
Philippa Thompson, CEO from the Independent Living Association for disabled people in West Sussex who is supporting the scheme said:
Smaller organisations like ours have less money and so we sometimes find it difficult to develop and improve services and skills. That’s why a grant fund, and the skills and experience we could gain through the scheme, will help us become even more successful in delivering services. Even a small amount of extra funding could make a big difference.
Notes to Editors:
- To apply to be an Ambassador or the National Lead for the project, or to nominate someone, visit http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/odi-projects/user-led-organisations.php
- ULOs will be able to apply to the fund from July, when the National Lead and Ambassadors will be announced.