February 2013

Wolverhampton People’s Parliament

Health for people with a learning disability

Wolverhampton People's Parliament have focussed on employment since it's launch and had some really successful outcomes.

More recently however, their attention has been shifted to health and the MP's are currently working towards a Health Parliament that will bring together key decision makers across health to look at their priorities over the next 12 months.

The findings of the Learning Disability Health Self-Assessment Framework will be used to do this, which will no stranger to MP Jessica Bromley, who was trained as a 'Local Health Champion' to undertake this exercise in other areas within the West Midlands.

Jess said, "This was a really good experience for me and I learnt lot. Many areas in the West Midlands don't have good information on people with learning disabilities and this needs to be improved on in the future to make sure that people get the right service.

If you’d like to become a Wolverhampton MP, for more information, please contact Lucy@changingourlives.org

Wolverhampton People’s Parliament

Meet some of our

Wolverhampton MPs

Andy Howells is a powerful self-advocate. He leads on employment for the People's Parliament in Wolverhampton and is the co-chair of Wolverhampton's Learning Disability Partnership Board. He has lead many meetings for the Parliament and is a very accomplished public speaker. Since becoming an MP, Andy has commented on what a positive impact this has had on his life and how much confidence he has now. Andy was also the winner of Spotlight 2012, which supports the development of local artists with disabilities.

As part of the team who leads on Hate Crime, James Millard is a very highly motivated and his confidence has grown over the last 6 months. He has become an accomplished and confident speaker, recently presenting the Safe Places scheme to 50 GPs and appearing on Central News talking about Safe Places.

James has a keen interest in highlighting the needs of people with a profound and multiple learning disability and is keen to lead on projects that supports people from the PMLD community. In his spare time James is a Division 1 down hill slalom champion, currently competing in the Special Olympics. He has 11 gold medals for down hill slalom. When he's not winning gold medals, James is an active member of the local community, recently staring in the City Council's promotional film charting the Olympic Torch's journey through Wolverhampton and taking part in historical re-enactments wearing full armour, carrying a pike!

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Wolverhampton People’s Parliament

For further information please contact: Lucy

Dunstan, Project Development Office for People’s

Parliament on 0121 553 7174 or

Winsome Clarke is one of the founder members of the Wolverhampton People's Parliament. She has great enthusiasm in her role and is always eager to support the team in any way she can. In her spare time Winsome loves to shop and can be often seen in Wolverhampton City Centre. Fellow MPs describe Winsome as “a loyal friend, would do anything for anyone, a loyal colleague and a hard worker who always makes us laugh.”