Comic Relief boost for Your Voice

Comic ReliefA £48,000 grant from Comic Relief will enable ASBAH to fund a Policy Officer post for Your Voice, the Association's disabled service user group.

The funding - which will cover the costs of the new position for three years - comes from the charity's Fighting for Justice programme. It helps groups such as Your Voice to make sure their needs are met and supports their push for change.

The new Policy Officer will manage and deliver a vibrant three-year programme under the Fighting for Justice banner.

It will include training courses to empower, educate, and improve the confidence of disabled people, and to ensure that their policy views are heard.

Another key objective for the post holder is to double the membership of Your Voice.

The Your Voice Steering Group was set up more than 11 years ago to give ASBAH's adult disabled users the chance to have an active input in the development of ASBAH's policies and the information it publishes. It also gives them the chance to speak up on significant issues which affect their lives.

The group meets up every two months for a committee meeting to discuss a range of issues and arrange new activities. These include residential and day courses on a wide range of themes, including assertiveness training, committee skills and mobility issues.

Twice a year Your Voice reports to ASBAH's trustees, enjoying a formal link with the decision-making part of the organisation.

For more information on Your Voice and, as an adult service user, how you can join, contact ASBAH on 01733 555988