West Lancashire Council for Voluntary Service

A local business is celebrating after becoming a Lancashire County Council preferred provider AND getting top marks in the process.  West Lancs Positive Living was set up by a group of local parents of adults with learning disability who wanted quality services for their sons and daughters and others like them. 

Registered Manager Kath McKinstry said: “This is a great achievement for a small family-led organisation like ourselves.  My colleague Jill Rushworth and I did the work, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the drive and determination of parents who ensure their vision for high quality support and choice is maintained.  In the past year we have achieved Investors in People and now that we are a Lancashire County Council Preferred Provider, we will go from strength to strength”   

West Lancs Positive Living was set up in 2005 by a group of parents of adults with learning disability who were dissatisfied with what was available and set about creating the sort of organisation that they felt was good enough for their own sons and daughters. Five years later the vision is a reality.  West Lancs Positive Living supports more than 40 people with learning disabilities helping them to lead a full and active life, doing everything from ordinary everyday activities like shopping and cooking to sports and theatre visits, holidays and days out and having a job.  

Founder member and Chair, Tess Reddington said “In 2005 I was working as a business adviser helping people set up social enterprises such as food co-ops, community cafes and recycling businesses.  I became so frustrated with the lack of services for my son that I decided to do something about it – I was setting up organisations for other people – I thought I might as well do it for myself!  Its been really hard work – much harder than I ever imagined, but when I see how well our people are supported, it’s all worthwhile. 

West Lancashire Positive living is supported by Lancashire County Developments limited through the Social Enterprise Loan Programme

We don’t just provide care – a lot of what we do is about promoting good quality support.  We are happy to talk to any family members or carers about getting the best service for the person they care for.”

For further details contact: Tess Reddington 01695 711964, 07518347559 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Kath McKinstry 01695 711241 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Legislation to make charities and other not for profits pay for a licence when they play recorded music in their own premises has been delayed. NAVCA is part of the campaign against the changes, which could cost voluntary and community organisations £20m a year. More information on the NAVCA website.

NHS Central Lancashire is the most improved PCT in the North West, according to the results of a national assessment.

The world class commissioning assurance process shows how effectively primary care trusts (PCTs) commission services that focus on improving the health of their local population. The results outline each PCT’s strengths and provide a clear path to help them improve.

The assessment looks at governance (such as the PCT’s strategy and financial management) as well as 10 competencies, which range from leadership and public engagement skills, to how well the PCT is supporting better heath and wellbeing.

The competencies are rated using a four-point scale, with level 4 being ‘best in the world’.  This year the PCT achieved an average score of 2.3, compared to an average score of 1.4 after the last assurance process in February 2009.

Moreover the PCT’s governance ratings have moved from ‘red’ (strategy), ‘amber’ (board) and ‘green’ (finance) to three ‘greens’, where green is the highest rating.

The PCT has moved from 24^th in the North West to 4^th – meaning it is the most improved.

NHS Central Lancashire chief executive Joe Rafferty said: “We are delighted to have improved so much over the last 18 months. This is down to the sheer hard work of all of our staff, as well as the local clinicians, partner organisations and members of the public we work with. I would like to extend my thanks to each and every one of them.”

The world class commissioning assessors noted:

The considerable progress made over the last year

The PCT’s clear and ambitious strategic plan

The improvements made to engage clinicians, who are now driving change through service lines

Some strong examples of how patient experience is driving change

The PCT’s improved partnerships

 To view a copy of the full report, please log on to the PCT’s website at www.centrallancashire.nhs.uk

 

A new guide to the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (UNCRDP) has been published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The Commission’s guide will help disabled people to know what their rights are and how to use them.  It will help people to challenge injustices and improve services for themselves and others and will help organisations understand what their responsibilities are.

The Convention, which was signed by the UK Government last year, sets out disabled peoples basic rights in one place.  It covers health, education, employment, access to justice, personal security, independent living and access to information. 

The UN convention also describes what the Government has agreed to do to make these rights real. It has until next July to report back to the UN on its progress on this agreement.  The Commission’s guide also sets out how organisations can report to the UN.

Copies of the Commission’s guide are available to download from its website at: -www.equalityhumanrights.com/UNCRPDguide. Printed copies of the guide can also be ordered via the Commission’s helpline, either by telephone or textphone: -

England:    Telephone: 08456 046 610 Textphone: 08456 046 620

Scotland:   Telephone: 08456 045 510 Textphone: 08456 045 520

Wales:       Telephone: 08456 048 810 Textphone: 08456 048 820