Derry’s Family Information Group (FIG) is threatened with imminent
closure if new funding is not secured. FIG, which has lobbied for, and
achieved, changes to statutory legislations to benefit families of disabled
children throughout N Ireland since its formation in 1997, has not secured
core funding for the new financial year. It now faces one of its greatest
challenges – its own survival.
“Funding from the Western Health and Social Services Board (WHSSB) ends
on 31 March 2007. The local Health Trust and Board have shown their
commitment and support for our work up until now. It is frustrating to have
come this far to find that we have no future, through no fault of our own.
There is so much work still to be done. We are devastated .
“The Family
Information Group has worked with many professions, with parents and with
the voluntary and community sector. The lack of funding means most of this
work will now come to an end, as the Group has no option but to withdraw
from these partnerships.
This Group's work includes: advocacy with, and for, parents; a pilot
information sign-posting service; securing the abolition of the means test
for housing grants for parents in NI; and the development of an information
website, supported by Derry City Council. It is a user-led group, with firm
roots in partnership working.
The rights and needs of disabled children
are still here. Parents and families know this. Those who work with
families know this. Research has shown this. Many people have benefited
from the Group's accessible publications, from attending conferences and
workshops organised by the Group or by participating in the "family view
of disability" sessions, run uniquely by the Group. However, it does not
seem that these are a priority for those planning services and therefore
the demise of the Family Information Group has begun.
We believe, even
at this late stage, if WHSSB fully appreciated the impact of the work of
the Family Information Group, then they would respond positively. However,
the challenge is for our organisation and our supporters to respond
urgently. Therefore please go to the
FIG website and click
on ‘The Greatest Challenge’ button. This will outline the various ways you
can register your support for FIG and our work. Time is short, so please
do it NOW. Thank you.”
