User Involvement Network

Why was the User Involvement Network was set up?

Organisations often say they want to involve service users in all aspects of the services that they use. However, we think we need to work together at doing this better because:

  • sometimes staff are asked to take a lead role in this work but are left feeling isolated and unsure about how to go about it.
  • lots of people are doing really good work that few people know about. So people end up reinventing the wheel when sometimes other people have been there and done it!
  • ARC members often ask us for advice on how better to involve user.

Through funding from the Baily Thomas Trust we are now able to do something about these issues.

We set up a User Involvement Network where staff and service users who have a role in supporting user involvement will be able to:

  • set up a good practice network
  • hold 4 network events per year in 2010 and 2011
  • learn together
  • support development of good practice
  • share practical tools and tips
  • raise awareness about what needs to happen to make user unvolvement better… and lots more!

Who can come to the workshops?

The workshops are for people who are directly involved in ensuring that peple with a learning disability are involved in key issues about the services that support them. This may include:

  • people who are supporting and/or attending user groups
  • staff who are ensuring that users views are heard on committees or in consultations
  • people who involve users in staff recruitment
  • managers who have particular role in promoting user involvement.

So far…

The first 3 meetings have taken place. The network began its work in February 2010 by developing a PATH which looked at how the network would work in the future.

At the second meeting 3 organisations shared practice on what they have been doing to promote user involvement in their services.

Future sessions will offer support on issues highlighted by the members as areas they would like to learn more about or develop practice on in relation to user involvement and participation.

When and where will these meeting take place?

All meetings will be held in NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast and run from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm on the following dates:

  • Monday 9 May 2011
  • Thursday 18 August 2011
  • Thursday 17 November 2011.

(tea/coffee is available from 9.30 am and a light lunch from 1.00 pm for those who wish to stay)

For further information or to confirm your attendance at the next meeting visit this page or please contact: