Developing and sustaining User-led Organisations (ULOs)

User-led organisations are run locally and controlled by groups of disabled people who support each other to get better choice and a stronger voice in the services they use. It's not just about social care, but can focus on services such as access to transport, housing, education, jobs, information and leisure.

User-led organisations help people have more choice and control by providing advocacy, peer support, information and advice on issues such as personal budgets, direct payments, self directed support, support planning and employing personal assistants.

ULOs also work with statutory and other agencies to develop strategies for improving services.

The Support Pack

The Support Pack below addresses some of the anxieties that managers can have around their organisations becoming user-led. It aims to provide voluntary and community (third) sector organisations with the information that they need to enable them to work towards becoming a ULO.

The resources were produced by disabled consultants, with experience of user-led organisations; and from the website of the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL). It also includes material requested by organisations taking part in the project. The pack covers:

  • Why should my organisation become a User-led Organisation?
  • Explaining User-led Organisations
  • Defining User-led Organisations
  • Training
  • Mentoring challenges for developing User-led Organisations
  • Supporting Information, tools and resources.

See also:

Acrobat (PDF)
Becoming a User-Led Organisation - a Support Pack (950k)
This complete guide covers: essential features; meeting the design criteria; Disability equality training, with examples; mentoring and peer support; common hurdles and solutions; governance structures, effective working and barriers; tools, templates and action plans; supporting information, references and resources (194 pages)
User-led Organisations - South East Regional event, October 2010 (570k)
How ULOs can be supported to deliver services when resources are limited; how to ensure they have the right skills to deliver services; and how to make them sustainable. (10 pages)