CroyCILL
CroyCILL is a dynamic Coalition for Independent Living and Learning (CILL)
CroyCILL is disabled people with different impairments joining forces to:
Show by example what disabled people achieve when barriers and discrimination are removed
- Empower ourselves to drive change, by sharing our knowledge skills, energy and resources
- Ensure that the voices of all disabled people whatever their impairment, are equally heard and their views properly valued
- Make sure disabled people are treated equally within the social model of disability, without discrimination
- Create choice for disabled people to play a full part in work, family life and all levels of society
- Work with the council, commissioners, business and service providers to deliver real improvements in disabled people’s lives.
We also are offering disability rights training to individual disabled people and to local business and service providers. See back page for training dates - and contact us to book your place now!
CroyCILL is funded by the Department of Health for 1 year from April 2009 onwards.
Below you will be able to see information about our initial partners..
DISABILITYCROYDON
DisabilityCroydon is a local charity offering advocacy, advice and information and a range of other projects and services designed to support disabled people to live independently, take control of their own lives and play an equal part in their local communities. Our slogan is "where independence matters to disabled people" and we really mean it!
The charity is run by and for disabled people. All trustees are disabled people as are 50% of its paid staff and all its volunteers and full members.
Getting the Department of Health grant to set up this Action and Learning Site (CroyCILL) was a great achievement for everyone involved in the Charity and the result of much hard work. Because of our belief in user participation, engagement and involvement, working towards forming the CroyCILL Partnership is a natural step forward for DisabilityCroydon. In these times of ever-diminishing resources, we know that, unless we, as disabled people speak with one voice about the things which affect our lives, we will not be heard, neither will our views be valued or respected.
CROYDON PEOPLE FIRST
Croydon People First is a self-advocacy organisation run BY and FOR adults with learning difficulties. We exist to make a fairer society in which people with learning difficulties are treated equally and with respect.
We support people to make their voices heard and campaign to make information easy to read and understand.
Croydon People First wants to be in the Partnership because we agree with the same issues about disabled people as other user-led groups. We want to meet and learn from other user-led groups and help each other out. We also want other user-led groups to know about people with learning difficulties and not to leave them out.
HEAR US
Hear us is run by people with mental health issues and exists to:
- Actively campaign with users on issues raised by service users themselves – including improvements in mental health services
- Reaching out to all mental health service users to encourage and support participation in the Croydon User Council
- Actively oppose discrimination against service users in Croydon.
- Support the Service User Council in which to discuss and debate current concerns.
- Offer service users a communication platform for the constructive exchange of ideas on ideas affecting them.
- Provide a wide range of information about local/national services and issues that concern users of mental health services.
We want to work in partnership because discrimination against people with disabilities is wide spread, and working together as one gives us a stronger voice to end discrimination and stigmatisation.
CROYDON DISABILITY FORUM
Croydon Disability Forum holds open meetings for disabled people, carers and professionals working in the field of disability in Croydon. We meet every 8 weeks at the Bedford Hall, Wellesley Road on Fridays. Members can take part in working groups on a range of topics, including: transport, housing, employment & training.
I am very pleased that the work of the Forum is being strengthened and supported by this new CroyCILL Partnership. In particular, we would like to see the development of an Accessible Information Service to reduce the barriers of access which disabled people experience when trying to get information in a format which they can read. Accessible information is an essential foundation of the concept of independent living and choice.
Please call 020 8684 5538 or e-mail esther@disabilitycroydon.org.uk for further details about the activities of CroyCILL.