What is this page about?
This page is about a group of people with learning disabilities who speak up and make change. We work together to share our ideas and help services be better.
Voice and Participation Group
Speaking up. Being heard. Making change happen.
People with learning disabilities don’t always feel seen and heard.
We sometimes feel left out of society.
It can be hard to get the right services and support.
This puts us at greater risk of loneliness and poor health.
We want to change that.
Who we are
We are a growing group of adults with lived experience of learning disabilities who represent Reach and other services in our wider community.
We meet regularly to create a safe and welcoming space where we use our voices to promote inclusion. By sharing and learning from each other’s experiences, we work together to influence positive change.
We collaborate with partners like the NHS, local authorities, and universities to share best practice, improve access to services, and champion co-production.
We believe everyone has the right to be heard, to make their own choices, and to feel connected.
We’re here to make a difference—and we think that’s pretty awesome!
We are supported by:
Kay – Voice & Participation Worker
Tracey – Projects & Participation Manager
We’re always keen to hear from organisations or community groups who want to collaborate. Email Tracey at tracey.thurlow@reachuk.org or phone 01636 819066
What’s next?
Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we can grow our work and reach more people. Our priorities for the coming year are:
- Recruit and induct new members into the group
- Help lead the All Part of Change Project
- Work with other groups and services so that people with learning disabilities are heard – especially about health and local services
- Develop and deliver our own training, sharing our lived experience with volunteers and others
Watch our film to find out more about the work we do.
With thanks to funding from:
