Since setting up this Castanet website I have been working on a joint funded project across Derbyshire, called Reps on Board. Funded by Derbyshire County Council and MacIntyre, we look at the training and development needs of people (Reps) with learning disablities who go to Partnership Boards across the county.
One of our first concerns was to look at how we can make sure that everyone can be be fully included in meetings. We felt that many of us host meetings which actually exclude people who use services, and often their carers too, because of the way they are run.
We decided to put together a Toolkit with a list of Top Tips to make meetings inclusive. We visited many Partnership Board meetings and collated a list of good practice ideas. Our focus was on Partnership Board meetings, but the tips can apply to ANY meeting.
It can be downloaded for free from the Macintyre website, but is also available on the Derbyshire County Council and the East Midlands Valuing People website (under resources).
Here is the link to the MacIntyre website - once open, just click on the Top Tips cover to see or print your own copy. Try working through the toolkit with any group you work with who communicate through meetings. It can really help your group to focus on the way you work together.
http://www.macintyrecharity.org/news/news_articles/2008/RoB_Top_Tips.htmlIf you try the toolkit, please let the forum know how your group get on.
Alison
