Western Trust hosts Learning Disability events for service users

by Gráinne Connolly

Adult Learning Disability Services within the Western Trust, together with partners in the Advisory Group, have been working to develop and improve the Communications processes and Involvement with service users and carers. 

Following a number of Involvement workshops in March and April 2017 and again in October and November 2017, the strategy to improve communication with and involvement of carers and service users has continued to move forward.

In order to achieve the best results for everyone involved, a series of follow-up events is now being co-ordinated in each local area.

The events will be hosted in Omagh, Enniskillen, Strabane, Limavady and Derry/Londonderry and will be led by independent facilitators, lasting for two hours each time (dates and venues listed below).

Rosaleen Harkin, Assistant Director of Adult Learning Disability Services, is very eager to see this progress continue as the Western Trust strives to improve services which “will make a difference to service users and carers lives in real terms": 

“We have been making considerable progress with Adult Learning Disability Involvement, through our workshops and follow-up meetings.

"The response from service users and carers to ‘get involved’ has so far been very promising and we are eager to continue developing this.

"Again, I would also re-iterate that it is never too late to get involved. If you are interested in having your say, please come along to one of the events or complete and return one of our ‘Involvement’ forms, which can be accessed via our website”.

As part of the communications process, Adult Learning Disability Services in the Western Trust have launched a newsletter and work is currently underway to redevelop the Adult Learning Disability Services website.

This is all part of the Western Trust’s strategy to improve the entire two-way communication process. Service users and carers can find all the latest information, events and updates on this process on the current website link below.

The next stage in this process will be to gather further ideas and receive feedback on the progress made so far.

This will be sought at a series of follow-up workshops, which will take place at the end of February and early March. Gathering experiences, views and suggestions from service users and carers with regard to Adult Learning Disability Services local involvement and the communications strategy will be very important as the next stage is discussed.  

Work will also progress on the role of the proposed Strategic Partnership board.

An open invitation has been issued to service users and carers via the new-look newsletter, by post and online at http://www.westerntrust.hscni.net/services/2024.htm - check this link for more information and come along to one of the following local events to give your views and provide feedback on this process.
 

The workshops will take place as follows:

• Omagh: Omagh Enterprise Centre, Mon 26th Feb 2018, 10am-12noon

• Derry: Waterfoot Hotel, Wed 28th Feb 2018, 10am -12noon & 7pm-9pm

• Enniskillen: Enniskillen Hotel, Thurs 1st Mar 2018, 7pm-9pm

• Limavady: Roe Park Hotel, Wed 7th Mar 2018, 7pm-9pm

• Strabane: Fir Trees Hotel, Thurs 8th Mar 2018, 7pm-9pm