About PSI-Volition
PSI-Volition was formed in November 2017 through the merger of Volition (the mental health forum) and the Physical and Sensory Impairment (PSI) Network.
Through PSI-Volition we support 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.
Membership
There are over 50 PSI-Volition member organisations which support people physical and sensory impairment, and the number is steadily rising.
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
● Specialist supported housing
● Information and advice
● Carer support
● Healthy living
● Peer support
● Social activities
● Sport
● Advocacy
● Housing
● Accessible transport
● Health
● Campaigning and awareness
● Art and wellbeing
● Employment support
● One to one support
To find out more about our members please search the Forum Central members directory or download the list of PSI-Volition members (pdf, 212KB, updated July 2018).
For more information on joining please contact us.
What we do
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
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.
Physical & Sensory Impairment News & Events
Youth participation consultancy opportunity – freelance contract
Epilepsy Action is looking to commission an individual or organisation with youth participation expertise to lead the discovery phase of a new project. The project is to develop an online self-management resource for young people with epilepsy to support them [...]
Forum Central Feel Connected Event 4 Dec – Follow Up
Please find below links to the event report (including large print version) and presentation slides from the Feel Connected: Finding Ways Out of Social Isolation and Loneliness event held on Tuesday 4 December. If you require this information in an alternative [...]
Welcome new members: Ascendance & Humans Being
Forum Central is pleased to welcome two new members. They've both joined PSI-Volition, one of the partner organisations in Forum Central. The latest organisations to join are: Ascendance Ascendance runs dance classes across Leeds for people with Parkinson's. The classes [...]
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.
The Board is chaired by:
Phil Gleeson, Leeds Involving People and PSI-Volition Trustee
Councillor Eileen Taylor
Ordinary Lives Project Board
Ordinary Lives, led by the Adults and Health directorate at Leeds City Council, is a project around housing and independent living, which aims to address the reliance on residential care within Leeds with the intention that everyone with impairment or support needs is (should they want to) able to live in an ordinary home and receive the support they need to live independent, meaningful and purposeful lives.
The Ordinary Lives Board provides strategic leadership for the project.
The Board is chaired by:
Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director, Adults and Health
Third sector representative
Lucy Graham, PSI-Volition Development Worker
Information & Resources
Physical and Sensory Impairment – Strategic Updates
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.
You can find the notes from the last session here
You can find the large print version of the notes here
Dates for 2019
Wednesday 27 February, 10.00am-11.30am
Wednesday 29 May, 2.00pm-3.00pm
Wednesday 18 September, 10.00am-11.30am
For more information please contact us at hello@forumcentral.org.uk
- Partnership roles for third sector organisations in supporting disabled people and people with health conditions into work
- Changes to the Work Capability Assessment
- Support for employers
- Timely and personalised access to employment and health services
- Integrating the health and social care and welfare systems
The consultation on this green paper closed on 17 February 2017.
Contact Us
General Enquiries
0113 242 1321
Lucy Graham
Lucy is the PSI-Volition Development Worker
Lucy brings a variety of experience to the role of Development Worker, having worked and volunteered in numerous third sector organisations big and small, both locally and in her native Northern Ireland.
Most recently, she lead a team in a start-up social enterprise, focusing on providing sustainable employment for people with mental health difficulties.
With a degree in Law and MSc in Psychology, Lucy feels strongly about human rights, equality and inclusion, and is passionate about better mental health for all.
Outside of work, Lucy enjoys exploring Leeds’ diverse culinary offerings – as with many adopted Yorkshire folk, she has a particular soft spot for a good pie!