Participation and Inclusion

Based on a presentation by Idem Lewis and Wendy Hall at Key's 25th Anniversary celebration - Novenber 2003

This is the story of participation and inclusion, in Key, in communities, with other organisations, and with the Scottish Parliament.

Things have changed a lot over the past 10 years. Many years ago service users tended not to be asked what they wanted out of life, and care providers made decisions telling people with learning disabilities how and where they could live their lives.

"We had no rights in the law"
"We were told what to do and when to do it"
"We were kept out of the way"
"We were told where to live"

Over the years this has slowly changed. Nowadays it should be about what we can do.

"Holding down a job"
"Have my own home"
"Go to places I want"
"Having a loving relationship"

In Key, tenants began to be asked what kind of service they wanted. Key realised if it was going to provide a service to suit people who lived in Key it had to ask people what they wanted. The people supported by Key were invited to tell their organisation how their service could be improved.

This changed the face of Key and put tenants in the driving seat.

Now tenants are involved at every level of the organisation, in the selection of new workers, at the centre of running local services, and advising the Management Committee on policy. We shape the policies of Key at every level.

But the story of participation is not about big fancy strategies and changing the world. It is about leading our lives the way we want to and getting good help and support to do this.

What tenants told Key were the same things that everyone else thinks are important.

"To have a house of my own"
"To live life to the full and enjoy it"
"To fall in love"
"For a chance to learn new things"

In 1996, Key set up a National Tenants Advisory Group to constantly remind Key of these things. National TAG brought together 14 tenants from across Scotland to advise and inform Key from the point of view of the people who use its services.

This was further strengthened by the establishment of 6 local Tenant Advisory Groups in Glasgow, Dumfries & Galloway, Clyde Coast, Central, Highland and Lanarkshire. These groups bring together tenant representatives and senior managers, supported by a local facilitator, to raise and discuss issues of local concern and to campaign for regional change.

We also have a National Campaign Group of ex National TAG members.

To enable tenants to make the most of these chances we began to put together courses where tenants could share their experience and encourage other people to speak up for their rights.

We have designed courses on: Decision making; Speaking up for yourself; Communication; Meetings; Choosing staff

Tenants are involved in staff training. All workers go through the induction course. Here tenants get the chance to explain what will be expected of new workers. They also train workers about "The Same As You" course.

People who receive support are the best people to show how support should be given. This has really struck a chord with workers and helped them to realise how important it is to see tenants as a person and not a task. It has also been really important for other tenants to see this.

As well as helping Key to get it right, we have worked with other organisations across Scotland. From local authorities to schools, universities to the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability, we have tried to make a difference.

Key's tenants were involved in putting together a big review of services called "The Same As You". We continue to work closely with politicians and the Scottish Executive to make sure they do not forget the things that really matter.

We believe that communities also need a little help to really include people and share common interests. We launched our inclusion initiative, "Count Me In", to challenge discrimination and help people share interests, try new things and make new friends.

Across Scotland we have seen tenants, workers and members of the local community come together not out of pity but out of fun. We have supported 74 of these initiatives in the last 3 years.

In Dumfries, a group of people got together and decided to do something that would make a difference, and earn some money at the same time. This was a recycling initiative called The Dumfries Aluminium Recycling Team (DART).

Another initiative that was funded by Count Me In in central Scotland was a group of people who love the outdoors got together, and formed The Forth Valley Ramblers.

It is all about getting up and being all that you can be.

Participation is for everyone. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to say the words or if you don't use words at all. It doesn't matter if you need a little or a lot of support. It really is just about people, and about Respect; Choice; Trust; Dignity; Happiness; Independence; Living; Love and Freedom.