Over £500k of Government Funding awarded to Disabled People's User-Led Organisations #dpulo

This is a copy of a press notice released today, highlighting the work that Strengthening Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations Programme is doing and the difference it is making.

Disabled People’s Use- Led Organisations have benefited from £509,124 of extra Government money, Minister for Disabled People has announced today.

These Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations run by and for disabled people, often provide support and services alongside those provided by the public sector.  Drawing on their own first hand experience of disability, they have clear ideas about what works and what doesn’t.

More than half a million pounds has now been paid out by the fund since the Strengthening DPULOs Programme was launched in July 2011.

As well as offering financial support, the Strengthening DPULOs Programmes provides DPULOs with support and advice on how to strengthen and make their organisations more sustainable through its Ambassadors.

61 applications for funding have been received from DPULOs across England, 41 of which have been successful.

Examples of how the Strengthening DPULOs programme is making a difference to the lives of disabled people in the local community include:

• A DPULO in Hillingdon is supporting disabled people in the local community by setting up a ‘one stop shop’ service. This will enabling disabled people who are being assessed for equipment by an Occupational Therapist to have their prescription redeemed a few doors down the corridor in the organisation’s office

• A Sheffield DPULO is using funding to develop a range of services for disabled people to purchase using their personal budgets. This will enable local disabled people with specific impairments such as mental health conditions, or learning difficulties, as well as those in particular communities, including BME communities, to influence the type of support and personal care they receive. This will result in a service more tailored to individuals needs

• A DPULO is developing apps for a Smartphone which will provide emergency remote help if a blind traveller is lost, or in difficulty, as well as providing a GPS and speech function to inform the traveller of their location. The app will explain where to get off public transport and when they arrive at their destination. This will support blind people Nationwide to travel safely outside their home.

 Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, said:

I am delighted the Strengthening DPULO programme is successfully promoting the growth and improving sustainability of Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations, as well as making practical real improvements to the lives of disabled people and their communities.

We have already awarded more than half a million pounds, but a large amount of the £3 million funding remains, so I would encourage more DPULOs to now apply.  In particular bids would be welcomed from the Midlands, and East of England.

Notes to Editors:

• The Strengthening DPULOs Programme was launched on 20 July 2011. More information about the programme – including the Ambassadors and the Facilitation Fund – can be found at http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/dpuloprogramme and http://www.facebook.com/dpulos as well as on Twitter using the hashtag #dpulo
• The Facilitation Fund was co-produced with DPULOs and is a discretionary, flexible fund tailored specifically to DPULOs
• To find out more about your local Ambassador and to get in touch with them, please visit http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/odi-projects/user-led-organisations/ambassadors.php

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