Guidance

How to apply

Published 5 April 2023

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-join-a-regional-stakeholder-network-for-disabled-people/how-to-apply

1. Background

The Regional Stakeholder Network (RSN) was set up in 2019 to make it easier for disabled people and disability organisations across England to link up and feed in their lived experience and insight directly to the government.

The RSN’s main objectives are to provide:

  • regular, meaningful opportunities for disabled people to share their views and experiences of the policies, services and programmes that affect them – and inform government on issues that they feel are important

  • greater diversity and regional representation from individuals and smaller disability organisations

  • a more proactive approach to engagement with face-to-face and virtual meetings, digital communication and other accessible methods

  • the integration of disabled people’s views into the design, development and running of government policies, services and programmes

There are 9 regional groups in England:

  • North West

  • North East

  • Yorkshire and the Humber

  • West Midlands

  • East Midlands

  • South West

  • South East

  • East of England

  • Greater London

Each regional network consists of 10 to 40 members made up of local disabled people, parents and carers of disabled people and disabled people’s representative organisations.

They meet at least 4 times a year. The meetings provide an open forum to share views and experience across all policies and services that affect disabled people.

2. How to apply

If you are interested in joining your local Regional Stakeholder Network, please either:

  • complete the application form

  • send a document or email containing the same information

If you need the form in a different format, please contact disabilityunit@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

2.1 If you are using the application form

Download an application form from the Documents section.

Complete the application form and send it by email to the return address.

2.2 If you are not using the application form

Please send the following information either in a document (for example, Word or Google) or in an email.

About you

Please tell us:

  • your name

  • your organisation (if relevant to the RSN)

  • your email address

  • your telephone number

  • why you would like to be part of your local Regional Stakeholder Network – this is to help us understand your interest in applying to be a member – you might want to tell us about your own lived experience of disability, or disabled people’s lived experience in your own life

Meetings

Please answer the following questions:

  • are you happy to attend the Network meeting in person once a year and virtually at least once every 3 months?

  • are you happy to actively participate in the Network electronically or by other means throughout the year?

  • do you need any communication adjustments when attending a meeting? – if so, please provide details

  • do you require any other adjustments when attending a meeting? – if so, please provide details

  • do you have any dietary needs if you attend a meeting in person? – if so, please provide details

Data protection

We need your permission to use your data so that you can participate as a member of your regional RSN.

Are you happy for the Disability Unit or your RSN chair to keep your details on a database?

The Disability Unit and your RSN chair will use email as the primary way of communicating with you. Please let us know if another method of communication is preferred.

3. Return address

Please return your completed application form to your local network chair:

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