Progress Scotland

Progress Scotland

What’s the project all about?

The project aims to help people with a learning disability lead full and active lives and to be at the heart of their local community, really shaping what happens. Enabling people with a learning disability to become true citizens by helping them to influence community planning and to be financially included in the support they receive.
These are the main aims of the project:
  • Support people with learning disabilities to develop their skills, confidence and leadership to be active citizens
  • Support people with learning disabilities to understand and take part in meetings, groups, committees and other places where plans and decisions are made about their community
  • Encourage and support ways for people with learning disabilities to have more control over their support services
  • Tell people with learning disabilities how they can have more control over the money for their support, such as through In Control
  • Encourage and support person-centred ways of working
  • Learn from and share examples of practices that are working in other parts of Scotland
  • Tell people about the Principles and Standards of Citizen Leadership

Developments in the project so far

Progress Scotland has been working in Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders:

Aberdeenshire
We now have an Advisory Group to guide our work in Aberdeenshire. The Advisory Group has been running for a year now and includes:
  • people with learning disabilities
  • service providers
  • local authority representatives
  • NHS Grampian representatives
  • Community Planning Officer.
The Aberdeenshire Advisory Group has been working on a variety of action points including implementing the National Involvement Network. Find out more about Progress Scotland in Aberdeenshire.

Dumfries and Galloway
Sylvia and James have been meeting with many organisations and individuals across Dumfries and Galloway. They have been talking about Progress Scotland and how ARC’s work can fit with the good work already happening. These meetings have helped to form an Advisory Group to guide their work. The Advisory Group includes:
  • people with learning disabilities
  • service providers
  • local authority representatives
The Dumfries and Galloway Advisory Group has been working on a variety of action points including promoting the Charter for Involvement and setting up Self-Advocacy groups. Find out more about Progress Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway.

Scottish Borders
Sylvia and James have attended many meetings across the Scottish Borders and have formed an Advisory Group which includes:
  • people with learning disabilities
  • parents
  • service providers
  • local authority representatives
The Scottish Borders Advisory Group has been working on a variety of action points including access issues in Peebles and delivering training. Find out more about Progress Scotlandacross the Scottish Borders.

Expected outcomes for the future

Progress Scotland aims to work in partnership with people with learning disabilities, voluntary and statutory bodies to assist change and progress towards full and inclusive citizenship for all.

Useful Information:

  • (Funded by the Big Lottery Fund and The Scottish Government)