Dear All
See below; a very worrying situation indeed. So much for the British
Governments commitment to support user led initiatives.
Colin
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National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) - Statement on current
circumstances
The National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) is coming to the end
of its current grant from the Department of Health Development Fund.
Along with many other organisations we are awaiting news on future
funding. In part some expected decisions have been delayed due to
circumstances beyond the organisation's control.
After a review of our financial position, and in line with our legal
obligations, the board of NCIL has reluctantly taken the decision to
issue redundancy notices to staff. Unless alternative sources of
funding can be found, the organisation will not have adequate funds to
meet the current level of operating costs beyond 31st March 2006. This
is when the existing funding arrangements come to an end. This has been
a painful but pragmatic decision.
NCIL has been working hard to ensure that the National Centre for
Independent Living will continue to be the national strategic
organisation, controlled by disabled people, promoting Independent
Living in partnership with Centres for Independent Living (CILS) across
the country.
We are currently working with a range of organisations and individuals
to seek a short-term solution to the organisation's current funding
situation. We are also working with government to ensure that the
National Centre for Independent Living can continue its work over the
long-term and remain a key and active partner in the delivery of the
government's vision to improve the life chances of disabled people.
We are striving to put in place arrangements that will enable us to
continue in our role as leading contributors to the realisation of
Independent Living for all disabled people. We will keep our members,
allies and partners informed of our progress.
Background
NCIL is unique as a small, national membership organisation controlled
and run by disabled people. NCIL has been at the forefront in the
development of appropriate policy and practice both nationally and
locally leading to full inclusion and equal citizenship of all disabled
people.
NCIL is currently producing important work which includes;
* research leading to a better national understanding of the
important role and needs of Centres for Independent Living (CILs) across
the country
* working for the inclusion of disabled peoples organisations in
the development of individual budgets
* leading work with the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) to
enshrine a legal right for disabled people to independent Living
* accredited nationwide training for Independent Living advisors
* researching positive developments in direct payments through the
evaluation of the 93 projects that received Department of Health
development fund monies
* revising a protocol with the Association of Directors of Social
Services (ADSS) due in March 2006 making a commitment to commission user
led organisations locally wherever possible to provide support to
disabled people
This work is alongside our extensive existing national provision of
information, facilitating a national network of disabled people's
organisations, training and consultancy services.
Dave Morris and Menghi Mulchandani
Co-Chairs, NCIL Board
21st February 2006
For further information please contact Kevin Caulfield, Acting Executive
Director on 020 7587 1663 or email [log in to unmask]
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