In July of last year Irish in Britain changed the format for meetings of the Policy Advisory Group by introducing a symposium on matters of importance to members as a main feature of this event, while continuing to use the occasion as a means of securing feedback from our members on policy–related issues and concerns.
Symposia since then have addressed issues around adopting services to support individuals affected by government health reforms, the development of partnerships with statuary bodies like the DWP and local authorities, and the continual development and provision of services through contracting and the adoption of social enterprise models.
We have also used these symposia also to raise the profile of the PAG among our members and externally. We are pleased to say that the following organisations distribute our publicity for these events to their networks, for which we appreciate their co–operation and support: Evelyn Oldfield Unit, LVSC, ROTA, Voice4Change England
Below are links to the presentations from the two most recent symposia which are also available through our Policy e–bulletin:
From “Managing Increasing Demand Arising from Welfare Reform”, 30 October 2013
• Corinne Gregory, National Partnership Team, DWP, “Role of the DWP Partnership Team and Policies which will impact on DWP customers in coming months”
• Denise Gandy, Head of Housing Support and Options, Haringey Council, “Piloting a multi–disciplinary approach to supporting those affected by Welfare Reforms”
From “New ways of making an impact locally: Partnerships, contacts and commissioning, and BAME social enterprise”, 26 February 2014
• John Mayford OLMEC, “Challenges for small to medium BME organisations seeking to develop social enterprises”
• Breege McDaid Irish Community Care, Merseyside, and Reihana Bashir, Mary Seacole House, Liverpool, “Care Community Culture”
• Steve Kerr LVSC, “London VSCs 2014 – challenges and responses”
• Noelette Hanley, Luton Irish Forum, “New Ways of Making an Impact Locally”