A voice for the unheard; choice and power; bridging the gap; a helping hand to gain access to rights and services

• Assessing our service user’s needs through our assessment of needs procedure which evolves around a person-centred approach exploring barriers to service provision
• Offering advice and guidance to ME disabled individuals and their carers, making referrals to services provided by Ethnic Enable such as Escapade and the Volunteering program and partner agencies
• Initially advocating on behalf of service users during meetings
• Liaising with and advising the Social Work Department and other relevant agencies to secure appropriate support for the service users
• Holding regular review meetings with the disabled individuals, their carers, school, social worker etc where necessary
• Representing and voice dual race and disability issues in workshops and seminars run by mainstream agencies
• Raising awareness amongst policy makers and service providers through existing and new networks on the needs of ME disabled people at decision making and planning levels and to promote the development of inclusive services
• Developing and disseminating best practice approaches to service delivery to the target communities based on our experience and on our closeness to our client group
• Increasing knowledge and awareness in our target communities by developing accessible information in appropriate forms on disability issues

We have established good practices through developing the assessment of needs process for our service users, which allow us to understand their common problems and issues. We have also developed good practice through our advocacy, information and advice service. We have developed excellent relations with external agencies in order to work collectively to cater for the needs of the service user. Working together with other agencies has enabled us to share ideas and resources, refer service users onto one another, avoid replication, utilise each others expertise and where possible partnering to develop projects to take forward our common goals.

“I have a physical disability and my mum always did everything for me. At times she would over burden herself which wasn’t good for her health. She got in touch with Ethnic Enable and was made aware of a number of services that can support me and her. Now she is less stressed out and we can enjoy some quality time together!”

“My first language is not English and I always found it a struggle to put my points across at meetings and appointments for my son who has a learning disability. Even with the interpreter being there, I sometimes thought if these organisations even understood what my needs really were. Thanks to the Outreach Service, I am now able to express my issues as they are without fearing that the outreach worker may not understand me or think that my problems are irrelevant. I feel that now that they know my needs, they are able to support my son better”

For more information contact:

Majabeen Ali
T:0141 334 2277
E: majabeen.ali@ethnicenable.org.uk