Making care better for people with sensory loss
The Sensory Impairment Partnership Board is one of five Boards working with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Councils to improve adult social care services for local people.
It gives people with hearing and sight loss a say in shaping the services they use now and in the future at regular meetings with health and care staff.
In the third of our blogs about the Boards, we feature two long-serving Independent Members helping others with sensory impairments stay independent and confident, with good access to essential health and care and information.
Huntingdon resident Mick Scadden Chairs the Sensory Impairment Partnership Board.
He lost most of his sight very suddenly in 2011 due to a condition called optic neuropathy.
Mick believes that speaking up for people, helping others, and making information and local services more accessible, is worthy of his time and support.
“When I first took the Partnership Board on back in 2016, I didn’t want to be seen as just somebody making the numbers up that was visually impaired,” said Mick.
“So it’s nice to see things being looked into for people with all types of disability.
“Health and care services still need to do more to support people with sight and hearing loss. Progress can be slow, so you do have to keep banging on at times.
“Speaking up for people and supporting others is so important."
Apply today!
Like to join us?
You can read more on our websites about what becoming an Independent Member on the Board involves.
And you can apply online – although we can send a paper version if that's better for you.
Huntingdonshire based Paul McCloskey volunteers with the Older People’s Partnership Board and the Sensory Impairment Partnership Board.
And he likes that it gives him direct contact with the people planning, providing and paying for services people are using. And a hands-on role in making things work better.
Paul has hearing loss himself and is also Vice Chair of local charity Cambridgeshire Hearing Help which supports people with NHS Hearing Aids and provides hearing loss information, advice, and signposting.
So he can speak up for and deliver the viewpoint of his peers straight to many of the decision-makers at the local authority and local NHS.
“Being an Independent Member gives me an opportunity to highlight the experiences of others,” he says. “And turn what would be considered only 'anecdotal evidence' into something more positive and substantial."
Use your experience and help make a difference
Do you have lived experience of sensory loss and of using adult care services, or caring for someone that does?
Then the Sensory Impairment Partnership Board would really like to welcome you.
It meets every three months and there's accessible training and information plus plenty of support – such as a British Sign Language interpreter – to help you in the role.
Have a chat about volunteering
Our Healthwatch runs the Boards on behalf of the local councils. Get in touch and have a chat with Graham Lewis, our Partnership Development Manager about how you can get involved.
Call 07432 865996
