Working together with user-led organisations

People with disabilities or carers sometimes run organisations,
which work to help other people with disabilities
with different things.

For example, they offer them information and support
when they need it.  

We call these organisations user-led organisations.

There is a document talking about the work of these organisations.

The document explains why it is good
for local authorities and people in the community
to work with these organisations.

You can find the document here.

The Department of Health of English Government developed a document entitled “Putting People First: Working together with user-led organisations”. Addressing both local authorities and individuals, the document serves as a guide on how they can benefit from the co-operation with user-led organisations.

As defined in the document itself, user-led organisations (ULOs) are those which are “led and controlled by the very people that they help: people with disabilities, carers and others. They provide a range of services, including information and advice, advocacy and peer support”. In other words, ULOs bring together people who have a common purpose. Any people with impairments can be part of ULOs, such as people with intellectual disabilities and mental health survivors.