About the Physical and Sensory Impairment Network
Through Forum Central 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
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
Supported Living and Accomodation For Deaf Adults With Additional Needs
Homelife is a Deaf-led organisation based in Leeds that provides supported living support and accommodation for Deaf adults with additional needs. The organisation offers: 24 hour wellbeing support Tailor-made packages of care and support Aids and adaptations in all its [...]
Do you have multiple health conditions? Share your experience with Healthwatch Leeds
Healthwatch Leeds is looking for people with multiple health conditions who want to share their experiences to improve health and care services. How does it feel for me? Project The project team are looking for people with multiple health conditions [...]
Covid Confidence from Euan’s Guide
Euan's Guide has introduced a new website feature that lets venues and reviewers add information on a place's Covid precautions. As venues slowly start to open again throughout the UK, Euan’s Guide wants to make sure that disabled people can find out if [...]
PSI Information and Strategy 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.
Updates from October PSI Information and Strategy Session
Notes from October meeting (large print)
Slides from October meeting:
- Presentation by Bairbe McKendrick, Access Officer for Leeds City Council
- Presentation on Local Care Partnerships by Karl Witty
Other updates
View the September members update
View the January members update
View the slide presentation from January’s session here
Next Meeting
Wednesday 16th December from 1-2.30pm via Zoom.
If you’d like to join us, please email [email protected]
International Day of People with Disabilities Event Report
In December 2019 we had a large celebratory event at Leeds City Museum to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities.
It was a great event, with lots of people coming together from across the city to showcase their achievements and those of supporting projects
We are pleased to announce that the event report is now available and we hope you enjoy reading it and seeing all of the wonderful photo highlights from the day!
There are 3 versions of the report which you can download from this page:
The Event Report – In Large Print
The Event Report – Easy Read Version
Planning for a 2020 event is now underway. We hope to grow this celebration, learn from 2019 and make this years’ even better! If you wish to be involved please contact [email protected] or call 0113 242 1321.
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 PSI-Volition Trustee
Forum Central Representation: Karen Fenton, 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.
Versions of the report can be found here
For more information please contact [email protected]
Third Sector Reps: Karen Fenton, PSI Development Worker | Jez Coram, LD Development Worker
(Also present are representatives from DeafBlind UK, Leeds hearing and sight loss service, Leeds society for deaf and blind, National Federation for Blind)