What is User Voice?
User Voice is a chance for us to come together (virtually for now!) and use our lived experience to change the world
How will we do that?
We will hold regular focus groups to discuss the issues that affect our lives. We’ll then conduct research and campaigns about the things that, together, we’ve identified need to change
Who is it for?
We want to hear and amplify the voices of anyone who is – or cares for – a person over 18, who lives or works in Barnet and has lived experience of disability
The philosophy
Disability is life on hard mode – but it doesn’t have to be this hard. We want to break down the barriers society puts in our way, and create a better and more inclusive world for everyone.
As disabled people, we are experts by experience. Whether we are D/deaf, neurodivergent, live with a physical impairment, a chronic health condition, mental health issue or learning disability (or all of the above!), we have skills that can’t be learned in a classroom.
The project
Starting in early 2021, we will be running regular focus groups to find out what issues are being faced by disabled people in the Borough, what they’d like to see change and how they feel about plans that will impact them. We’ll look at local and national government policy consultations, and use the collective opinions of the User Voice groups to inform our research and responses.
We will start with two groups: a pan-disability forum for anyone who self-identifies as disabled or cares for a disabled person, and a mental health forum for those with lived experience of mental health issues. Later in the project we plan to add a neurodivergence forum too.
How it will work
For now we’ll be running the groups remotely via video call, which we know has its benefits and drawbacks. To make them as accessible as possible, we’ll be listening to your feedback on what platform we use as well as the best days, times and formats for you. Putting your camera on will be optional, and we won’t call on anybody to speak unless they’ve said it’s okay.
We will also provide the opportunity to give your input via survey or a one-to-one telephone or video call, if you don’t want to or can’t attend the group sessions.
Get involved!
We’ll have dates and information ready soon. In the meantime, if you’d like to be involved please get in touch with the team and we’ll make sure you’re kept up to date:
Email: uservoice@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Tel: 020 3475 1315
