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Celebrating Poole's Learning Disability Partnership

A celebration of the work and achievements of the Poole Learning Disability Partnership Board will be on display at the Study Gallery in Poole on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 February 2004.

Entitled "The Event", this is the first exhibition of its kind in Dorset and it is hoped that it will take place annually. It aims to show the developments and opportunities available to people with a learning disability and offer the chance to speak to the providers of both services and support.

Poole Learning Disability Partnership Board has existed for nearly three years and works to improve and develop services and opportunities for people in Poole with a learning disability. The Board is made up of representatives from a broad range of organisations including; the Council's social services, housing, leisure and adult learning departments, health service colleagues, voluntary organisations, carers groups and people with a learning disability.

Charlie Sheldrick, Head of Adult Social Services Provider, Borough of Poole and Chair of Poole's Learning Disability Partnership Board, said: "The work of the board is focussed on achieving the 11 objectives set out in the government's white paper on learning disability, "Valuing People", issued by the Department of Health. The objectives cover all areas of life, with a real emphasis on the inclusion of people with a learning disability in the planning and delivery of services and the promotion of choice, independence and self determination for the individual."

'The Event' will include an open Partnership Board meeting with a presentation by Poole Forum on their experiences of working with the Board. Steve Strong, representative of the South West Region Valuing People Support Team which is a part of the Department of Health, will also be joining the meeting to provide an overview of the regional and national developments in services to support people with a learning disability.

Claire Sweeney, Policy and Projects Officer, Adult Social Services Provider, Borough of Poole, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the partnership to display all of the good work they have achieved and to meet those with learning disabilities and their carers. Making people aware of all the facilities on offer is the first step forward to building stronger links with the community."

Notes:

• 'The Event' will be officially opened at 12.00pm on Tuesday 24 February and will run until 9.00pm \n
• A meeting of Poole Carers Forum will be held on Tuesday 24 February from 6.00pm to view the exhibits with the meeting beginning at 7.15pm \n
• Wednesday 25 February will be packed with activities and information and will begin at 9.30am until 5.30pm \n
• An open meeting of the Partnership Board will begin at 1.30pm on Wednesday\n
• Organisations and groups represented on the Partnership Board:

Poole Forum (self-advocacy group)
Dorset Self Advocacy
Bournemouth and Poole College (Adult Learning)
Learning Skills Council
Connexions
Poole Gateway Club
Poole Carers Forum
Poole Primary Care Trust
Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust
Poole Hospital NHS Trust
East Borough Housing Trust
MENCAP
Dorset Scope

Borough of Poole Units Represented

Pupil and Parent Support
Housing and Community Services
Adult Social Services (Commissioning and Provider)
Including Day Opportunities and Community Support
Supporting People
Leisure Services

Claire Sweeney, Policy and Projects Officer, Adult Social Services - Provider, Borough of Poole, Tel: 01202 261 007