The Physical and Sensory Impairment Network supports third sector organisations that work to improve the lives of Disabled people with physical and sensory impairments or long-term conditions in Leeds.
We promote the social model of disability, and the inclusion, independence and equality of Disabled people.
What we do
We work to ensure that our members are involved in strategic planning and development of services for Disabled people.
We encourage partnership between agencies and across sectors, and provide information to third sector organisations to support them in delivering high quality services.
We hold networking events, run consultations, and communicate local and national news amongst our members. Our member organisations are at the heart of everything that we do. They are a mixture of:
- Groups and organisations run by and controlled by Disabled people
- Organisations commissioned or funded to provide services for Disabled people, including support to live independently, housing or employment support
- Local groups which run social and other activities
- Local support groups that are part of large, national charities for people with specific impairments or conditions
- Disability sport organisations
- Third sector organisations that support a range of people or communities, and which have specific regard for people with physical and sensory impairments
Network Meetings
We hold regular physical and sensory impairment information and strategy sessions open to everyone with an interest in the disability third sector. These meetings are an opportunity to network, get the latest strategic updates and hear from guest speakers.
If you would like to attend a meeting please email [email protected].
Meeting dates
Dates for your diary. The meeting dates for 2023 are:
Wednesday 13 December | 1pm – 3pm at Swarthmore Centre. 2-7 Woodhouse Square, Woodhouse, Leeds LS3 1AD
Meeting Notes
Notes from previous Information and Strategy network meetings are available to view as Google Docs below.
For more information please contact Helen Brand – [email protected]
2023 Notes
2022 Meeting Notes
International Day of Disabled People – Leeds For All
International Day of Disabled People (IDODP) is observed annually on 3 December. The aim of the day is to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for dignity, rights and wellbeing of Disabled people. The Physical and Sensory Impairment Network has marked IDODP in various ways over the years.
In 2021 the Leeds for All working group was established following the recommendations of the 2020 event report. This group is made of members from Leeds City Council, William Merritt Centre, Forum Central members from range of third sector health and care organisations and the Physical and Sensory Impairment Network and Learning Disability development workers at Forum Central.
The Leeds for All group now work together to coordinate an event to mark International Day of Disabled People every year. The event celebrates people with sensory impairments and disabilities in Leeds. It provides an opportunity to showcase the ongoing progress and work in Leeds to make it a more inclusive place for everyone to live.
In 2022 the Leeds for All International Day of Disabled People marketplace event was held on Wednesday 30 November at Leeds City Museum. Funded activities also took place across Leeds throughout December and January. Our 2022 reports and highlights video illustrate the successes of the marketplace event and grant funded group activities.
The 2023 event will take place on Thursday 30 November and is shaping up to be the best yet! As well as stall and speakers, there will be interactive activities. Find out more and sign-up for updates on our International Day of Disabled People Marketplace event page.
2022 Event Reports
Past Reports
Leeds For All 2022 – Watch the highlights video
Information & Resources
Membership
Physical and sensory impairment include, for example: long-term physical conditions, hearing impairments, visual impairments and mobility impairments
Our member organisations support people through a variety of different ways including:
– Independent living, housing and specialist supported housing
– Carer support, employment support, peer support, one to one support
– Information and advice, campaigning and awareness
– Healthy living, sport, social activities, accessible transport, art and wellbeing
– Advocacy
To find out more about our members please search the Forum Central members directory
For more information on joining please contact us.
Representation
We work to ensure that third sector disability organisations are involved, along with the rest of the health and care sector, in major strategic developments that go beyond our specialist areas – It is important that disability organisations have a voice in this work.
Our members and the Forum Central team also take up opportunities to represent the third sector at boards, meetings and steering groups on issues that affect Disabled people, such as transport, housing and employment.
Better Lives Board
The Board oversees and provides leadership for implementation of Adults and Health’s Better Lives Programme.
Chair: Phil Gleeson, Leeds Involving People and Volition Trustee
Forum Central Representation: Helen Brand, PSI Development Worker
Inclusion for All Action Group
This group, chaired by Healthwatch Leeds was established in November 2019 aims to bring together representatives from health and care organisations across the city to address the effective implementation of the Accessible Information Standard, which became law in 2016 and makes accessibility a legal requirement for particular
Aiming to provide energy, ideas, actions to making health and care services in Leeds accessible for all communities. Focusing on actions and moving this important agenda forward, with commitments to taking actions individually, within own organisations and collectively as a city.
The group was established, following findings and recommendations from the Visual Impairments Snapshot report which Healthwatch Leeds produced in 2019.
Physical & Sensory Impairment News & Events
Research study into Inflammatory Arthritis
Do you or someone you know have inflammatory arthritis? If so, a team from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) would like to hear from you. They want to talk to people about how to run NHS fatigue services [...]
IDODP 2023 Grants Activities
This post contains a list of all the different upcoming activities that are being funded as part of the International Day of Disabled People(IDODP) Small Grants Fund. Wednesday 6 December, 10:30am - 2pm | Happy Wednesdays Canal Trip | The [...]
13 Dec. Forum Central Joint Network Meeting
Joint Network Meeting | Wednesday 13 December 2023, 1 - 3pm at Swarthmore We're ending the year with an extra special network meeting! This in-person event is a chance to meet other network members, celebrate, share a conversation over a [...]