Our work within health and social care

1. Our work within health and social care By B.A.D.G.E. Bolton Active Disability Group for Everyone.

2. A Brief History of BADGE • BADGE was created in February 2007. • To raise start up funds we held a big meeting at Bolton Town Hall and invited many influential people from many service providers. • We had our official launch in October 2007.

3. Our aims • To provide a consultation group made up of people with a wide variety of disabilities. • This enables people to consult with us and get viewpoints, opinions and life experiences from all angles of disability. • We aim to highlight the barriers faced by disabled people in Bolton and work with service providers in a positive way to break down these barriers.

4. Health services as our partner • We recognise Bolton Primary Care Trust (PCT) as one of our partners. • We have BADGE representatives that attend The Equality Target Action Group for disability that is being set up by Bolton PCT. • We have a service level agreement with Bolton PCT which means we will be involved in access audits, service reviews and consultation events with Bolton PCT in the future.

5. Health services continued • We also recognise The Royal Bolton Hospital as one of our partners and we have BADGE representatives on The Employment Sub Group and The Service Delivery Sub Group • This ensures that the views of disabled people are heard in influential places.

6. Social care services We recognise Bolton council as one of our major partners and we have worked closely with the following departments

7. The Fairness Team :-helping to organise the Independent day of disabled people • The Housing department:- we have a representative on the disability housing group and take part in consultation events • Adult Services :- we are committed to the creation of a disability partnership board and are working with adult services to make this happen :- we have played a part in trying to decide how and where a rehabilitation specialist unit for brain injured people could be in the future.

8. Direct Payments Team:- we have members who attend the direct payments user group and have a representative who attends the direct payments implementation group • We also work with Bolton Community College ,The University of Bolton, Local transport providers ,Bolton highways dept, Bolton at Home and many other public service providers • We often find ourselves acting as a bridge between departments and service providers especially Bolton health and social care providers.

9. Our Future contributions • Each day brings new opportunities and events which enable us to spread the word about living, working and studying as a disabled person in the Bolton of today. • We hope to provide lively debate, help provide solutions and help with problem solving as well as ensuring service provision is planned with the views of disabled people included right from the start.

10. Contacting us • We have become very successful and now have a very busy diary. If you wish to engage in consultation with us please contact us as far in advance as possible. • We can be contacted in the following ways.

11. BADGE CONTACT DETAILS • Email. badgeforbolton@yahoo.co.uk • Our Secretary is Ian Cooper and he can be contacted on the email above Or 07900 264033 • Our Chairperson is Yvonne Robinson and she can be contacted on the email above Or 07796 471815 • Our development worker (voluntary) is Sally Ann Cooper And she can be contacted on the email above Or 07776441440 Our Treasurer Carlene Knox and our Vice-Chair Pablo Mortby can also be contacted via our Badge for Bolton email address