This is the eighth monthly update about the Strengthening DPULOs Programme, which aims to ensure DPULOs can provide a strong voice for disabled people by being more sustainable. You can find the seventh update here.
1. DPULOs at the heart of the government’s disability work
On 17 September, the government published documents which set out its approach to the commitment to enable disabled people to fulfil their potential and play a full role in society.
“Fulfilling Potential: the discussions so far” summarised what the government heard from disabled people and their organisations, whilst “Fulfilling Potential: next steps” outlines areas for action. You can read both of these documents here.
The role of Disabled People’s User-Led Organisations is central to the government’s work on disability – a role that is made clear in both of the Fulfilling Potential documents.
In two dedicated posts, we have highlighted where DPULOs are recognised within Fulfilling Potential. This will also support you refer to these parts in your own conversations with local councils and other funders.
2. Significant Facilitation Fund milestone on the horizon…
The Strengthening DPULOs Programme is close to awarding over £1m to DPULOs. So far, we have awarded over £910,000 to 68 DPULOs so far. Good stuff, but always more to do! If you want to know more about how to access the £3m Facilitation Fund, visit http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/dpuloprogramme.
If you’re a DPULO in Scotland or Wales, don’t forget that the Strengthening DPULOs Programme is now available for you, too. The dedicated Ambassador for Scotland is Margaret Simpson and the dedicated Ambassador for Wales is Cerrys Hill. You can find their contract details here.
3. Speaking of success…
A DPULO supported by the Facilitation Fund wins European Diversity Award from Google: “Georgie” – which is a phone app for blind people created by Communication for Blind People – won the “Outstanding use of tech in the field of diversity” award, sponsored by Google. You can read more here: http://www.europeandiversityawards.com/
4. Breakthrough National Independent Living Awards
Don’t forget: Breakthrough UK is currently receiving nominations for its 5th National Independent Living Awards. These are a tremendous opportunity to showcase the work you do, either by yourself or working with other partners. To find out more and enter, please visit their website.
The closing date for applications is Monday 15 October 2012.
5. Useful resources
One key part of the Strengthening DPULOs Programme is to share learning and useful resources. Some useful links to recent information we’ve published are below:
- The Independent Living in Scotland project has produced excellent resources on a wide range of topics that DPULOs can use and adapt for free
- The fantastic Disability Wales is celebrating is 40th anniversary
- A fascinating write-up of a roundtable on commissioning challenges
- Research in practice for adults has done a series of useful events and work on DPULOs
- The £1.5m Community Support Fund – which supports disabled people in areas affected by the Remploy decision – is open for applications: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/communitysupportfund
- Merseyside Disability Federation is running an interesting event on coproduction and partnership. Free places are available via their website
- Children in Need is updating its grants programme
- Funding Central is a free funding database that any DPULO can use to find out what funding is available
- The Government publishes every contract opportunity over £10,000 on Contracts Finder
If you have any learning or resources you’d like to share or have any resources you’d particularly like, please let us know (contact details are at the bottom of this update).
Find out more about the Programme
To find out more about the Strengthening DPULOs Programme, you can visit our website: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/dpuloprogramme
We have now “liked” every DPULO we know about on Facebook and will regularly share news from them around the country. If you are on Facebook you can keep in touch with the programme through our regularly updated page: www.facebook.com/dpulos
If you are on Twitter, you can share information and find out more about DPULOs using the hashtag #dpulo.
As always, we’d be grateful if you can spread the word and publicise this news throughout your networks / newsletters / websites etc. We’d also be grateful for any feedback you have on this regular email.
Contact us
For information, biographies, contact details and details of the areas covered by each of the DPULO Ambassadors covers, please visit the Ambassadors page.
If you have any questions about the Facilitation Fund or any part Strengthening DPULOs Programme, please contact odi.businessperformance@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
Please feel free to forward this information on to any DPULOs, networks or stakeholders you think might find it interesting. If you didn’t receive the original email, please share your contact details with us so you can receive our monthly emails.
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