I’m spending more time in London than Cambridgeshire at the moment. And I’m heading off to the smoke again today. I’m very much looking forward to meeting a talented and dynamic woman, Dame Jo Williams, Chief Executive of Mencap, the leading charity for people with a learning disability and their families.
She will be speaking at a networking event of women chairs and vice-chairs of trustees called Groundbreakers. I am joining this elite gathering in my role as vice chair of Headway Cambridgeshire trustees. The theme is particularly relevant to us, which is why I am attending: ""A thoughtful approach to having adults with learning difficulties as trustees".
This is something we are very interested in right now, having recently recruited a new trustee who had a brain injury. We have also invited one of our former service users to observe our next meeting to see if he would be interested in joining. I believe their input is vital, and as Jo is passionate about using service users, I am confident I will learn much from her.
In 2005, Community Care magazine named Jo as the most influential person in social care. She will be a hard act to follow as she steps down from her Mencap role this autumn after five years at the helm.
Previous Groundbreakers‘ speakers have included Dame Judith Mayhew-Jones, Chair, Royal Opera House and Angela Sealey, Vice Chair, Oxfam. I feel very privileged to join them.
This is great news, well done, Ellee. Have a great day.
Maybe Ellee you could ask the lady from Mencap, how people living in Daventry can get any help…no one seems to know..
Hope you have a great day..:-)
Anne, I would suggest you write to Jo personally. If there are any difficulties in accessing services and support, I’m sure she would like to know. I would if I was in her shoes.
Having been involed with Mencap for many years, it is always good to hear service users input is vital.
Hope you have an interesting day.
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It sounds really interesting, enjoy 🙂
I found this so interesting, and enoyed meeting Jo, as well as all the other women, I learnt much from them. I am looking forward to meeting my CEO tomorrow and sharing my new ideas with him.
Thanks Jo, and also Richard, who shared his insights as a Mencap service user – the first name to address this networking group for women. I also enjoyed meeting Denise, and hope to keep in touch with her.
Yes, Mencap does wonderful work.
What a wonderful opportunity for you Ellee. I am sure you will make the most of it.
Brilliant news Ellee – Mencap is a wonderful charity.
Mencap is a fine charity, Ellee.
So glad to hear it went well for you Ellee. A magnificent cause indeed.
Ellee: You lead a fascinating life! So many people and events that sound enriching for you!!!:)