Options for Life wins Health and Social Care Awards 2006

AND THE WINNER IS.....

Options for Life has won the prestigious Health and Social Care Awards 2006.

These awards are presented by the Department of Health and we came top in the Social Care category.

The award recognises the outstanding contribution to social care from a team.

As well as the core criteria, assessors were looking for evidence of:

• An outstanding contribution to the development, delivery and improvement of services to users or carers over a number of years at a local or national level.

• Engagement of carers.

• A commitment to devising creative ways of ensuring access to services to all users/potential users, which are sensitive to their needs.

Chief Executive Liz Tilly commented:  “This is a high level award which recognises sustained achievement and we are very proud to receive it. It means that our organisation is recognised as offering among the very best social care services in the country.”

New DVD highlights views of people with learning disabilities

MAKING VOICES HEARD DVD

In summer 2007, Options for Life launched a DVD documenting the views of people with a mild learning disability about the main issues that affect their lives.

The study was carried out with a grant from Sandwell Partnership and talked to 17 participants, working in two focus groups to develop their thoughts and express their opinions.

People had very clear views about what they did and didn’t like  – crime and anti social behaviour, waiting for doctors’ appointments and getting council repairs on their houses were ‘hot topics’.  On the other hand, the shops, leisure activities and bus services were seen as positive.

The focus groups were filmed in their last joint session and the DVD is available, with a printed summary of the findings.

Sandwell Partnership and other public services will use the DVD to make sure the views and experiences of people with learning disabilities are considered when developing services.

To find out more contact Liz Tilly, Chief Executive at Options for Life. Tel: 0121 544 6611 or email admin@optionsforlife.info