Disabled Peoples User-Led Organisation (DPULO) Programme

Role of Ambassador

Background
Builds on the recommendation made in the Improving

Life Chances Report that states: Each local authority will have a ULO by 2010.
Also result of significant lobbying and work carried out by

Disabled Peoples User-Led Organisations.

Rich Watts is the National Lead seconded from ECDP,

based at Office for Disability Issues

Key Ambassador Roles

12 Ambassadors across regions 2 to 3 days each per month
1. Raising awareness about the role and potential of User

Led Organisations locally and across regions (My region

is Berkshire, Hampshire and Sussex).
2. Supporting strengthening work across regions (See

handout for a list of ambassadors and their regions).

3. Delivering the programme - including Facilitation Fund.

Examples of
Raising awareness about the role and potential of ULOs nationally and across regions
Support with preparation and planning for key meetings. Promoting the role and potential of DPULOs in the wider

community through the media and social networking e.g. Press statements, liaising with local media.
Raise awareness about the added value and hidden

assets that DPULOs bring.

Further examples of
Raising awareness work
Network and develop strong relationships with

commissioners, community partners and agencies to encourage parallel working and shared learning.

Promote and strengthen co-productive relationships. Develop strategies and working relationships to target

disabled people in disadvantaged and hard to reach communities, including residential homes, criminal justice system and BME communities.

Examples of
Supporting strengthening work
The right information or the right conversation at the right time Sharing and capturing learning and passing it on Put DPULOs in touch with Experts

Examples of
Delivering the programme particularly the Facilitation Fund
ODI receives funding applications.

Applications must pass Eligibility Criteria

Once they do this, they are marked by the Ambassadors

at the Facilitation Fund Board meeting, which currently meets every two months.

Facilitation Fund
Aims To develop successful, sustainable, strong DPULOs.
To provide funding to enable DPULOs to respond to the needs

of disabled people, at grass roots level, offering a valuable voice.

Funding available Total funding available: 3 million over four years. Any number of applications per DPULO up to total value of 30,000.

Facilitation Fund continued ...

Applying to the Facilitation Fund
Good if DPULOs can demonstrate partnership and

collaborative working.

Complete Facilitation Fund Application form available on

the ODI website: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/odi-projects/user-ledorganisations.php . request additional information of DPULOs.

The ODI may raise clarification questions with DPULOs and/or

Facilitation Fund continued ...

Applications are sent to ODI for a basic check. Compliant

applications are then sent Facilitation Fund Board for a final decision. The Facilitation Fund Board, comprises:
the National Lead, the ODI Financial Lead, a minimum of 5 Ambassadors, a representative from the ODI and a note taker from the DPULO programme team.

Summary
Raising awareness about the role and potential of Disabled
Peoples User-Led Organisations locally, across regions and nationally.

Building the strength of DPULOs both locally and regionally.

Delivering the programme including the Facilitation Fund.

And finally...
Experts - ODI have now opened the recruitment for Volunteer Experts who have specific skills required to run a successful organisation. For example, HR, financial management, and business planning skills are needed to help, not only with small one-off matters, but also to share their knowledge and experience in order to help sustain the running of a DPULO. For more information please contact: odi.businessperformance@dwp.gsi.gov.uk