Local Networks

Out of tiny acorns, mighty oak trees grow!

We are assisting in setting up Local Networks of disabled parents who are actively involved in peer support and influencing services in their local area. Local Networks are run by DPN Members who have volunteered to get involved.

Through Local Networks, a number of disabled parents can be involved with various activities in the area where they live. These Networks may or may not choose to meet up on a regular basis, but will stay in touch with each other by phone or e-mail etc.

Each Local Network will start small with just one person in some areas but hopefully will grow over time as disabled parents join.

We recognise that people have varying amounts of time and energy available to be involved with the Local Network, so by involving a number of people, far more can be achieved within an area.

We have a volunteer Local Networks Co-ordinator to stay in touch with the Local Networks and to act as a point of contact between DPN nationally and the Local Networks.

Each Network will then have a Local Network Link, a volunteer who will oversee activities in their area.

Then we hope disabled parents in each area will get involved as Local Network Representatives, where they can promote DPN and get involved with local services at whatever level they feel comfortable with.

There are lots of ways people could get involved such as:

Sitting on the Maternity Liaison Committee.
Getting involved with the Local Education Authority.
Getting involved with local Parenting or Disability Forums.
Getting involved with local Social or Health Services.
Getting involved with the board for the local Sure Start / Home Start.
Give DPN leaflets to local GP surgeries / health visitors, etc.
Provide training on disabled parent issues to local health and social care agencies, and health and social care training organisations.
Inform relevant agencies about DPN's work, including giving leaflets to them.
Writing about DPN for local press / local newsletters.
Publicising DPN to local parenting organisations.
Publicising DPN to local disabled people organisations.
Publicising DPN to midwives / health visitors.
Acting as a local contact regarding a specific issue.

We now have Local Network Link volunteers in the following parts of the UK:

England: Birmingham, Bradford, Cheshire, Essex, Kent, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Peterborough, Wigan, Bristol, Coventry, East Sussex, Manchester, Northamptonshire and Reading, Camrbidgeshire, London, Northumberland / Cumbria, and Thurrock.

Scotland:

Wales: Gwent

Anyone wishing to become involved in the Local Networks project must join DPN by filling in a Membership Form and our Volunteer Form.

Role descriptions for volunteering with the Local Networks are described on following pages.

If you would like contact with the Local Network Link in your area, or to get involved with a Local Network, please Contact Us.

Role Descriptions

last updated: 16 Nov 07

tags : Local Networks Services

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Registered Office: Disabled Parents Network, 81 Melton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 8EN. Registered Charity No: 1087662