Our Work
Forum Aims
Information
LLDF will act as a clearing-house for its members in the collection and sharing of information, including information about services and opportunities.The Forum Manager will be at the heart of this process. The Forum Manager, with the help of Forum members, will highlight any opportunities and developments relevant to the sector. This will include any developments in practice or funding. This information should include developments arising locally, regionally and nationally which will have an impact on Leeds. LLDF will work in partnership with other organisations that have a similar role around information such as Through the Maze. The Forum will use a variety of methods to achieve this ‘clearing house’ function including large-scale events, workshops, newsletters, and training. Wherever possible this information should be provided in ‘bite sized’ chunks. LLDF will strive to use the most efficient communication methods possible.
Through its representatives LLDF aims to have a strong strategic voice. Our representatives will fulfil an active role in developing new and existing opportunities for learning disabled people.
We will ensure that member organisations have a strong strategic voice. The representatives providing this voice should reflect the wealth of organisational diversity that makes up the sector in the city. We recognise that often we can represent an agreed view, but that sometimes we will be representing a set of diverse views. LLDF aims to ensure that the views of learning disabled people who are involved in member organisations are fully represented in developing new and existing opportunities in the city. LLDF aims to ensure that statutory agencies value and encourage the voluntary, community and faith sector’s contribution and work in the city. We will adopt a proactive, supportive and accountable approach to representation, striving to ensure that our representatives have real and valued seats at the strategic table.
LLDF will place particular emphasis on:
• A clear role for representatives
• Developing the skills and knowledge of representatives
• Creating an environment where representatives are willing to share skills and knowledge across organisations
At the heart of this aim is good communication and accountability. LLDF will create and provide accessible and transparent systems to enable this. These systems will be supportive to representatives and members using the wide range of communication methods available. Wherever possible these systems will attempt to minimize the workload for representatives. Finally, the Forum recognises the wealth of knowledge within similar Forums and networks across the city and the ‘strength in a united voice’. Therefore it strives to work in partnership with these groups whenever relevant.
Driving Change
LLDF aims to be a positive force in supporting voluntary, community and faith organisations in driving positive change for learning disabled people. LLDF members have a wealth of experience and knowledge. This will be coupled with an ethos of ‘partnership work’ and a ‘can do’ attitude to bring about positive change. LLDF strives to recognise the need for change through its monitoring of local, regional and national developments, including policy work and campaigning, and through the input of member organisations and of learning disabled people themselves. LLDF will provide member organisations with advice, training, education and support around these changes wherever possible and appropriate. Where appropriate, LLDF will manage this change by delivering short term outcome based projects and hosting research.
To find out more about the work we do read the LLDF Strategy 2009-2012 (pdf 1.2 Mb).
