Innovative event for young disabled people

Comms Team

01/06/11

An exciting free conference is taking place on 11 June 2011 at Nash College in Bromley.

The event will provide young disabled people with complex needs in London key information and support on issues such as accessing higher education, employment and housing and how to manage their own care and development through Personal Budgets and support planning.

The conference, Getting a Life that Matters, is organised by disability charities Livability and Bromley Mencap and is aimed at all young disabled people in London aged 14 25 and their families as well as professionals working with disabled people.

The programme includes: speakers with in depth and personal experience of disability issues and informative and interactive workshops throughout the day.

The new Mayor of Bromley, Councillor David McBride, will officially open the event followed by our keynote speaker Dame Philippa Russell, Chair of the Standing Commission on Carers and herself a parent carer. The event starts at 9.30 and will end around 4pm.

A variety of key organizations working with disabled people will also have stalls at the event to provide visitors with information and advice. They include: Livability, Bromley Mencap, Nash College, Bromley Parent Voice, Camden Society, Music Therapy, Bromley MIND, Tree Jumpers, Sussex Health Care, MCCH, Tuck by Truck, Dorin Court Residential Home, Avenues, Burgess Autistic Trust, Advocacy for All and Magpie Dance.

Complementary refreshments and a hot lunch will be available as well as a ”chill out” zone where visitors can relax and socialise. The chill out zone is a supported place for people with disabilities, who do not wish to attend the talks but which will allow their carers and families to do so. Nash College also offers onsite disabled parking facilities.

For more information on the event and for a booking form contact: Donna Burgan at Nash College on 0208 315 4800 (Extension 265) or Bromley Mencap on 0208 466 0790. The event is free but numbers are limited and all visitors must register in advance. Spaces at the chill out zone also need to be reserved in advance.

Donna Burgan, Nash Colleges Transition Project Worker said ”The transition to adulthood can be a very difficult time for young disabled people and their families and information and support is often hard to access. Our event aims to give young people the advice and support they need on many key issues to ensure that they achieve their potential and enjoy a bright future.”

Eddie Lynch, Chief Executive of Bromley Mencap, said: ”Transition can be a very challenging time for young disabled people with complex needs. The aim of this event is for families to come together, hear about other people who have successfully gone through transition to lead independent, empowering lives and access a wide range of relevant information around transition. We are delighted to be hosting such an important conference in partnership with Nash College.”

Nash College of further education, for around 65 young people with disabilities, is run by leading disability charity Livability. It is based at Croydon Road, Hayes, Bromley, BR2 7AG.